‘Downton Abbey’ season 4 spoilers: Michelle Dockery confirmed to return
Good news for fans of “Downton Abbey”: while it may not necessarily be a great deal of solace following some of the events of the Christmas special, we are pleased to report that one actor hanging in the balance has officially decided to return for season 4 of the hit ITV series. (Warning: the following contains major spoilers for American readers. Stop now if you want to remain surprised.)
In response to all of the criticism surrounding the exit of Dan Stevens, in particular the decision to kill off his character of Matthew in a tragic car accident, ITV has actually released a new statement announcing that viewers for certain will not be losing his onscreen wife, as well. Michelle Dockery (who is a past Emmy nominee for the show) has been confirmed to be returning to the show for the fourth season, which will start filming in a matter of months overseas. The network also explained a little bit of what her story will be about in the coming year:
“Alongside all the usual drama, comedy and romance involving the much-loved cast of characters, viewers will see Mary adjusting to her life and attempting to move on without the man she loved.”
As for why ITV and Julian Fellowes decided to kill Matthew off rather than have the character simply leave the show (where he could return at a later date), we’ll have that information in a future piece this week. After all, some of this information is so hard to digest following Matthew’s death, we almost have to take some of it in one detail at a time.
Do you think that there is hope that Mary could find love again in the future? We want to hear your theories below, and you can also head on over to the link here to find out what Stevens himself had to say on his exit.
Photo: ITV
kingchrlscav10
January 7, 2013 @ 11:43 am
Just a thought, but with Mary moving on with the hier and Tom moving on with Cybil, how about something in common bringing the two of them together?? hmm?
ATM4940
January 5, 2013 @ 5:00 pm
Good for Michelle Dockery – she has a key role and isn’t taking it for granted. I agree that the grieving widow shouldn’t be over-done; Matthew wallowed in guilt over Lavinia’s death much too long.
Stepping in to carry on Matthew’s vision for the future of Downton would be a proper tribute. I’m not so sure about Mary’s finding another romance after Matthew. It may be too soon for her to rebound from his passing.
Jared Nothstein
January 2, 2013 @ 7:17 pm
I became hooked on this show after my mom recommended it to me over my christmas break. I like to think im a very modern person, but for whatever reason i love old period romances. Pride and Prejudice (the one with Kiera Knightly) was probably my favorite period pieces I ever saw b/c of the music and the romance. Downton Abbey in the past 2 days (yes i watched every episode in 2 days…im from US and thankfully i know how to download everything) has given me so much joy and sadness i have no idea what to do with myself waiting for season 4. I am crushed like everyone about matthew and mary. I think they have somehow become my favorite period romance story. Their love story could have been a little more spiced up at times (i would have made it more dramatic with matthew possibly running after mary leaving for america), but in the end the chemistry those 2 actors have is insane. They should be married in real life. But at end of the day, it does kinda get boring doesn’t it after they finally got married and had a kid. Sure they’d have some cut kiss scenes in season 4, but at end of day im heartbroken yet I will not let this put in the dirt. I will not (like some) get so angry that i swear ill stop watching. Im not gonna stop watching. Sure season 4 could be a drag, but also by 2nd half of season a new love interest may pop up and if its done right, seeing mary fall in love all over again could be amazing. If it was up to me i would have the actor that played mr. darcy in pride and prejudice become the new love interest just b/c i loved him with kiera knightly. Or i could handle johnny lee miller as a love interest but i know he works on elementary for CBS. Really i just need someone who is as loveable as matthew and who has chemistry with mary. Will the resources this show has, im sure they can find somebody and give us a new love story to be obsessed about. But ill admit im not looking forward to a sad, grieving mary. im a happily ever after type of guy.
tina
January 1, 2013 @ 5:21 am
Sad that Dan Stevens had to leave DA,Michelle is a fantastic and talented actress
with the help of the brilliant and expert writings of JF she will be able to manage to face the challenges set for her playing Lady Mary.Iam looking forward to the fourth season and see how Lady Mary faces her role with grace and dignity and of course with a bit of her fiestiness and snobishness which makes her the true grandaugher of her granny Violet,these traits are very genetic.Michelle plays her character very excellently that is more the reason she deserves to win both the SAGA and the GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS for best actress in series drama.As fan of DA let us support Michelle in carrying for DA because it is really hard when you are left by someone who you have had a very good on screen chemistry and worked together very well for three years. Who knows JF might suprise us with a handsome suitor for Lady Mary,and there you go romance is on the air again.Michelle our love and prayers with you and have a blessed NEW YEAR,hope to see youin a musical that you are the main Character.
Helen
December 28, 2012 @ 5:07 pm
I think it is very short sighted of Dan Stevens to leave Downton. Will he still be in demand now that he has left?
Frances
December 28, 2012 @ 1:41 pm
Since Matthew died, will Lady Mary never become the Countess? Will she become the Dowager when the Lord dies?
I am so disappointed that Matthew left the show. Another actor would have been a better choice. We love the characters, but we are intelligent to know they are ACTORS!
Marjorie
December 28, 2012 @ 10:44 am
I think Michelle will find it strange not to have Dan at her side in series four they always looked comfortable together so I am not sure how Lady Mary will come across to the viewers . Will she have time for the baby if she is away from him overseas trying to rebuild her life after losing her one true love , that begs a question . I would like to see her carrying on Matthew’s plans for Downton working with Tom to fulfill her husbands beliefs for the estate….a fitting tribute !