‘Downton Abbey’ season 4 spoilers: Dan Stevens and opportunity
(Warning: the following contains spoilers for season 4 of “Downton Abbey,” and with that in mind we cannot caution enough that you should really check out the following at your own risk.)
If you are like us, then odds are that you are still very much mourning the loss of one Matthew Crawley. Dan Stevens had someone who was clearly among the most-popular people within the world of the ITV series, but now he has made the decision to take a new direction in his career following a stint on the Broadway show “The Heiress.”
So how are the producers somehow finding a silver lining in here? It is certainly not easy, but they are nonetheless managing to do just that. With this very thing in mind, executive producer Gareth Neame recently had the following to say to E! News on the subject of life for Mary (Michelle Dockery) in a post-Matthew world, and how the producers and the writing staff are actually trying to find a way to turn the character as a young, single mother into a positive:
“This is a lesson in something that seems like a really big loss in the moment [that] will actually turn into a great opportunity, which it will also be for the show, to take a turn in a whole different direction.”
As for whether or not this strategy works, that remains to be seen. We are sure that there will at first be some sort of backlash to Stevens leaving the show, but hopefully over time the writers will come up with a new story for Mary that is so exciting, it will make the loss feel a little less painful.
Are you optimistic for the future of the show without Mary? Be sure to share your thoughts below.
Want to read some more scoop when it comes to “Downton Abbey” season 4? If so, be sure to head on over to the link here.
Photo: ITV
Jeneth
January 22, 2013 @ 10:16 am
Matthew was the love of Mary’s life. It took 8 years for them to finally get together. I cannot see Mary ever giving her love to another man but I do see her taking a role in the running of Downton for the sake of her son, the future Earl of Grantham. She and Tom will be very close friends due to the bond they already have through Sybil, her favourite sister and through Matthew, Tom’s best friend. On Tom’s shoulders will rest the task of successfully bringing Matthew’s plan for Downton to fruition. Tom and Robert will work well together with Mary as a support. The three of them will have the security of Downton to weather the coming economic storm as their common goal.
Julie
January 20, 2013 @ 2:24 am
I want to see Lady Rose and Tom get together. She is quite similar to Lady Sybil and even though Lady Sybil can never be replaced, during those days – if you were young, you married. And I think they would have good chemestry.
Martie
January 19, 2013 @ 7:41 pm
This is all pretend – these characters don’t really exist. Dan Stevens wants to move in a different direction. Get over it and see what other plot lines come along.
fnrizka
January 19, 2013 @ 2:16 am
Matthew-Mary is the reason why I watch Downton. With Dan’s departure, I hope Mary won’t easily fall for another men. Maybe her character would be much stronger as single parent. She has to protect her son, the heir of Downton, and more mature and colder. SHE CAN’T BE WITH ANOTHER MAN, BUT MATTHEW… :'(
But there are many characters I’m looking forward to, like Thomas & Miss O’Brien, I can’t stand them but without them, Downton would be boring :)).
Stefani Us
January 18, 2013 @ 8:32 pm
I think Tom and Mary must form an alliance to be able to run DA and would not mind if they slowly developed affection for each other after heated tension grows between them; it is a perfect solution. Mary will be impossible and Tom is the only man who could put her in her place, short of a Matthew replicant, which will “never do”…nobody could take his place. It would be a different kind of love, but I think it could work. The other option is for Mary to become a bitter widow, snippy and colder than ever. She could leave and go abroad for a spell, but what is left then. She is not the type to become smitten after losing the love of her life, so please think about Tom. He is also just hanging in the wings with no focus. In any case they will have to run Downton together. That my story and I stand by it.
Laurie
January 18, 2013 @ 7:24 pm
NO NO NO NO NO to a Branson and Mary hook-up!! They need to heavily lean on each other for support (and Carson-please help Mary!!!) but no romance! I can’t see Mary with any man EVER now.
Laurie
January 18, 2013 @ 7:22 pm
I don’t want to watch the show without Matthew period. I’m furious and shocked what happened- it absolutely destroyed our Christmas! Edith’s married Editor is old and ugly-way worse that Sir Anthony! Why didn’t they hook Edith up with a gorgeous, 30-year-old man! I would have preferred that Julian Fellowes just write BOTH Matthew and Mary off of the show. He could have sent Matthew and Mary to New York, etc., for Matthew’s law career and investment opportunities with Cora’s rich mom Martha and Cora’s rich brother. Anna and Bates are married and boring now. Branson and Thomas are actually the most interesting characters now.
MaryK
January 18, 2013 @ 5:04 pm
Matthew’s leaving is not going to change things for me. Life is about sudden changes and how we manage to cope with them. I’m looking forward to the next season and what it brings. I remember how at the end of the last episode that Tom Branson “caught the ball” at the cricket match. We’ll see where that goes. The story has been so well put together this far, I have no doubt it will continue to be exciting. I don’t think it rides on just one character. Every character in this show has his/her strength. It’s the one thing I really like about it. All the characters are fabulous.
Marialivia
January 18, 2013 @ 2:04 pm
Well, I’ve contemplated an occasional return by the dead Matthew, in ghost form or perhaps in Mary’s recurring dreams. I cannot, CANNOT imagine DT without him.
Melanie
January 18, 2013 @ 1:52 pm
I am sad to see Dan Stevens go, but the show will survive. I hope to see more of the other characters. Mary has had the spotlight for three seasons.That’s quite enough. Not even Matthew could make such a tiresome cow interesting or likable. At least a deceased husband give her good reason to be so full of misery and self pity.
Bar
January 18, 2013 @ 11:53 am
While it’s seriously disappointing and very sad to lose the strong and lovable character of Matthew Crawley, I’m very hopeful that Downton will continue without him. He does leave behind a son and heir, as well as an intelligent and determined widow, so Downton is no longer at risk. The love story between Matthew and Mary’ was charming and heart-warming, but I think the series can continue well beyond it. The writers have done a wonderful job, despite some pretty precious plot devices (like Matthew’s “miracle” cure from paralysis), and I’m eager to see where Mary’s journey takes her and how she gets on without Matthew and with her new son. Yup, I’m an Abbey Addict, and likely to remain so.
Laurie
January 18, 2013 @ 11:34 am
Since the beginning of the show, it was about Mary and Matthew and their relationship. I’m not sure how the writers are going to make a new story for Mary but good luck to them. It’s already sad enough that Sybil is gone and the family was grieving her loss. But just hoping something can be done. The chemistry between Mary and Matthew was intense and exciting.
Deb
January 18, 2013 @ 11:12 am
maybe they can revamp the show without Matthew…. “Three’s Company” lost Suzanne Somers and the actors playing the Ropers, but they scooped up Don Knotts and it became a better show, for example. Yes, it is a grievous loss….
at least there’s still Thomas and Bates!
Maryp
January 18, 2013 @ 10:40 am
I’m not optimistic. For me, they would have to bring a new man into Mary’s life that has as much chemistry with her as Dan/Matthew did.. and it has to be someone that I want to see her with. I didn’t like the newspaper magnate.. and I haven’t liked any of Edith’s men. Dan had the “it” factor and I’m just not sure it can be found again.
Maria Weir
January 17, 2013 @ 10:49 pm
One of the best features of Downton Abbey was the story of Mary and Matthew Crawley. I cannot see anything positive coming out of Dan Stevens’ departure.