‘Downton Abbey’ season 4: Former star Jessica Brown Findlay returns to TV

Sadly, we are not going to be seeing a zombie version of Lady Sybil wandering around Downton Abbey anytime soon. Instead, what we are talking about here is some work that Jessica Brown Findlay will be doing on a rival network to ITV in BBC.

Sources confirm that Brown Findlay will star in an upcoming three-part adaptation of Daphne du Maurier’s 1936 novel “Jamaica Inn,” a story about a woman named Mary Yellan (whom she will play). In the book, Mary moves in with her aunt at the creepy, isolated Jamaica Inn after the death of her mother, and while staying there begins to learn surprising things about herself while also realizing that her aunt has fallen under the spell of a man and gotten involved in what is a dangerous operation. Filming is set to begin this month, and the project will air on the network in 2014. While there is no word as of yet on an American airing, this seems to be the sort of project that would be prime real estate for BBC America should they choose to pick it up.

While Sybil’s death was mostly resolved during season 3 of “Downton Abbey,” we are continually met with a reminder she is gone anytime that we look at Tom Branson. Given that the original plan was to never see her leave the show, it’s pretty clear now that the series is really just trying to do its best with what is a difficult situation. Granted, it would still be nice if we were to see more of Branson than what was presented on this past episode.

If you want to read some more “Downton Abbey” news about the rest of season 4, click here for a look at an extravagant party that highlights Sunday night’s new episode. Expect some drama, but nothing on the level of Lady Sybil’s passing away.

Photo: ITV