‘Downton Abbey’ season 5: Will Rose Leslie return for another arc?

From Dan Stevens to Jessica Brown Findlay to Shirley MacLaine, “Downton Abbey” has been extraordinarily lucky over the years being able to bring in such substantial talent even for just a short period of time.

With most of these characters, we already know whether or not a return is possible. Findlay and Dan Stevens’ characters were both killed off in the third season, and with that they simply cannot feasibly return. Meanwhile, MacLaine may be a little more open to a reprise depending on the circumstances.

But what about Rose Leslie? She was a part of the very first season, but since that time she has gone on to play Ygritte on multiple seasons of “Game of Thrones.” So following (SPOILER ALERT) the death of her character Sunday night, the door could be open for her to return to Downton … except for the fact that she doesn’t see that happening.

Speaking to Entertainment Weekly after the end of the “Game of Thrones” episode last night, she expressed an interest in doing some other things rather than dwelling back on the past or bringing back a character who has already moved on to other things:

“I had such a phenomenal time on season one. But no, I think Gwen is very happy now that she’s married so I think she’s living her life with her husband and I think we should leave that be.”

Instead, Leslie has a miniseries coming up entitled “The Great Fire,” which is fittingly all about the Great Fire of London. It appears that rather than trying to latch onto another big series immediately, she is instead taking her time and seeing just what other sort of options are out there for her.

Who would you want to see back on the series at some point? Share some of your thoughts with a comment, and head over here to score some further updates related to “Downton Abbey.” Also, be sure to sign up to grab further good stuff via our CarterMatt Newsletter.

Photo: ITV