‘Downton Abbey’ season 6, episode 1 preview: See new Michelle Dockery, Maggie Smith, Joanne Froggatt photos!

For all fans of “Downton Abbey” (or at least the ones in Great Britain), this is a time for great rejoicing. After all, the season 6 premiere is coming your way on ITV Sunday, and this means a chance to start to witness what will be the beginning of the end. We’re getting further into the 1920s now, which is an era of great social and political change. A time for lavish parties eventually becomes a time of economic downturn. We’re not sure just how much the show is going to choose to give us when it comes to the more depressing moments coming in the future; even in spite of the tragedy that we have seen unfold, we see this as a series that will want to give us a hopeful or at least bittersweet ending.

There are no sad signs in any of the attached photos at all. Two of them (featuring Maggie Smith’s Violet and Michelle Dockery’s Mary) seem to be extracted right from the upcoming episodes. Mary is continuing to work the shorter-hair look, and she is dressed as though she is ready to potentially hop aboard a horse. We have seen scenes in some previews depicting this, so it is not that far of a reach.

Meanwhile, some of the images below gives you a look at some of the most popular couples on the show at the moment, including Mr. Bates and Anna to go along with Carson and Mrs. Hughes. For Bates and Anna, there will be a particular kind of relief (hopefully) coming, as the show is going to finally tie everything together in regards to the long-simmering case of Mr. Green.

Meanwhile, Carson and Mrs. Hughes have a wedding coming, and he in particular is going to have to get over the whole stick-in-the-mud persona that he has and allow some people to be happy for him.

You can prepare even more for the season 6 premiere just by heading over here and seeing some new video footage. Also, sign up right away in the event you want some other TV scoop on everything we cover sent right over to you, via our official CarterMatt Newsletter. (Photo: ITV.)