‘Downton Abbey’ season 4 spoilers: Julian Fellowes opting for more subtle tone
Just in case any of you out there felt as though “Downton Abbey” season 3 had a tendency to become a little bit too over-the-top, you will probably take a little comfort in the following bit of news: executive producer Julian Fellowes is looking to take a much more subtle approach to the series moving forward.
According to a new report from the Daily Mail, the current plan for the upcoming season of the ITV series is to slow the place of the show down by a considerable margin in comparison to what was the case for much of the past handful of episode, with the primary reason for this being that creator Julian Fellowes wants to ensure that the stories being told are all based more on character development than just going for the “shocking moment” that was necessitated by Dan Stevens and Jessica Brown Findlay each making the decision to leave the show.
We have already suggested that in an effort to ensure that the series does not become melodramatic that there will be no deaths in the coming season, and this is something that we expect the producers to by and large stick to so long as they are not faced with another crisis regarding a cast member wanting out. While we think focusing on characters is the right move, it is inevitable that the series will likely face its fair share of critics simply for the reason that most shows do in their fourth season: it’s tougher to come up with original ideas.
What do you want to see transpire on “Downton Abbey” season 4? Be sure to share some of your thoughts below! Just in case you had not heard the news yet when it comes to Lily James’ promotion to a series regular, you can check it out by heading on over to the link here.
Photo: ITV
Shirley
February 25, 2013 @ 7:56 pm
I’m hoping to see a renewed spark of love interest between Isobel and the good doctor. After all, she will be needing someone to comfort her in her grief over losing her son.
Evangeline
February 22, 2013 @ 10:14 pm
I doubt that Matthew and Sybil’s deaths forced the show to speed up and rely upon plot twists, particularly when after the criticism of S2 galloping through three years of WWI in seven episodes (and Matthew returning to Downton from the Front in each one of them), Fellowes et al promised S3 would slow down and only cover eight or nine months of 1920. Even S1 had issues with pacing, where one episode is set three months after the last episode, but the characters are still discussing the same things like they happened the day before (and how absurd is it that Thomas & O’Brien’s were scheming against Bates for two years).
treestar
February 22, 2013 @ 8:57 pm
I hope we don’t see too much mourning. It is such a downer. I was totally shocked at the death of Matthew and am quite sad about it. But the show must go on, and I hope for no new deaths and for more character driven story. While Edith has been horrible in the past, I would love to see her come into her own and screw the rules of polite society. I want Lady Mary to have several suitors before settling down. I don’t want any more story about the Abbey’s finances. I would love to see much more of the Dowager Countess – in a meaty role. I would love to see some romances for both the people downstairs and upstairs. How about giving O’Brien a love interest? It might soften her up. But I do miss the devious snarky Thomas and his shenanigans with O’Brien. How about a baby for Bates and Anna? Or a secret romance between the butler and housekeeper? So many possibilities….