It’s official.
A key character of Downton Abbey will not be returning for the fourth season.
Deadline confirms ongoing speculation that Dan Stevens is not returning.
“A spokesperson for the show confirms that the actor, who plays Matthew Crawley on the hugely popular period drama, will not be back for season four which starts shooting in the UK this winter,” it notes.
Season three ended in the UK in November and a Christmas special which aired in the UK reveals more.
Stevens is currently starring in The Heiress on Broadway.
Season Three of Downton Abbey airs in Australia in February.
Me too Rayn, I’m quite happy to wait for it to arrive on FTA. For those who can’t wait to see anything, there’s no anticipation or sense of occasion when a well-loved show begins a new season. So when it does go to air, they’re too busy downloading some other “must see”, seconds after it’s been to air elsewhere. A continual chase for the latest.
Big deal. What’s the point?
I suspect there are far more people like Rayn and me than there are desperates.
Note, what people are calling the Christmas special is the season 3 finale, just aired separate to the rest of the season. it’s not like season 2 where there was a christmas themed episode made especially to be aired at christmas.
Not all of us can download or afford DVDs. I’m quite prepared to wait until Feb as are I’m sure a lot of other people.
@deedeedragons who says its not wrapped up? As David says the (brilliant) Xmas special reveals a lot more.
In terms of the wait till Feb affecting viewers, there was an even longer wait for Season 2 (April/May I believe) and that still rated extremely well. I don’t think it will be any different this time round.
deedeedragons – this is news today in light of the Christmas Special which kind of does just that.
@deedeedragons – There’s a reason they released this news just after the Christmas special aired.
A lot of questions are answered in the Christmas Special
@deedeedragons – his last episode was the Christmas Special which aired this week in the UK.
So he can’t even film 1 episode to wrap up his character’s story? .
Well thats a shame. Surely he will have to be killed off. I was disappointed when William got killed off. I quite liked him.
Mark I know there wont be another character returning and im devastated about that to. That character was one of my 2 favorites.
Looking forward to the next season of downton abbey. That would be an interesting plot twist him not returning. I liked his character and now I am wondering who will be the next aire to downton?
“Season Three of Downton Abbey airs in Australia in February.”
It would be interesting to know what percentage of potential viewers will have already seen series 3 by then.
Having watched season three that i bought online recently for $30..(another reason that it may not rate as well this time around as it is taking so long to air in Australia), i can confirm that Dan Stevens is not the only major character that will not be returning in season 4.
Well that is a shame, I liked his character a lot. We will see how well he goes now !