‘Downton Abbey’ season 4 spoilers: Where was Maggie Smith spotted?

“Downton Abbey” fans, brace yourselves: There are some emotional times coming up in the show’s fourth season. Even if you have followed the coverage online just a small iota of the time, you are probably aware nonetheless of the reports that new episodes are going to begin with many of the characters in a deep place of mourning. Not only are they still trying to deal with the passing of Lady Sybil from the midway point of season 3, but there is also Matthew Crawley’s shocking death that happened in the closing minutes of the Christmas special.

We still don’t know specifics when it comes to dialogue, though we expect plenty of tears and a maternal side to the Dowager Countess. What we can confirm is that Maggie Smith’s character will indeed be visiting a graveyard at some point. The actress was spotted filming at a graveyard recently with actress Penelope Wilson, who you probably know more for her role as Isobel Crawley. What is interesting is that neither character was wearing an all-black ensemble that you would expect, which means that this scene may be taking place a good stretch of time following the funeral for Matthew. (This is supported by a myriad of evidence that a time jump is indeed happening in the near future.)

While we’ve heard all spring that Mary and much of her family will suffer through the mourning process, especially while there are two new children in the mix, Isobel’s struggles are still somewhat new to the public consciousness. We reported recently about some of what she will go through when it comes to feeling alone in the world, but the hope here is that people like Violet and the Grantham family will be there for her.

In moving from a very serious to a very funny topic … have you seen this yet? Trust us, you will be rather happy when you do.

Photo: ITV