After a nine month wait, Downton Abbey is finally back on the small screen – there really isn’t a better way to spend a Sunday night than on the couch with tea and biscuits, inhaling the fabulous fashions and splendid story-lines of our favourite period drama.
Set six months after the tragic death of Matthew Crawley, series 4 opened with the departure of devious Miss O’Brien in the middle of the night – we only hope she returns for her well deserved comeuppance! And although many were left heartbroken with the loss of their favourite characters in series 3 (Lady Sybil, we still miss you), no doubt you’ll soon be hooked on the plot and desperate to see where it takes the current residents of Downton. But before the drama explodes, here’s a round up of our favourite characters…
Lady Edith
Having spent the first two series as a typical middle child who we never really got to know, Lady Edith began to shine in series 3 as she found herself and became a journalist at a London newspaper. With elder sister Lady Mary taking on the role of managing Downton, Edith will be the one to showcase all the latest fashions of the period as she ventures into London to meet with dashing editor Michael Gregson – who,conveniently, she hopes to marry. So long as he can divorce his lunatic wife, that is…
Nanny West
Seeing as she called baby Sybil a ‘filthy little crossbreed’ – prompting Cora to send her packing – she’s not on our Christmas list this year. But we do want to know where she came from and whether or not she’ll return to the house and stir the pot with Thomas…
Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham
Portrayed by the wonderful Dame Maggie Smith, the Dowager keeps the residents in check with her blunt, yet amusing remarks. Acting as a sturdy role model for her grandchildren, Mary and Edith, we can’t imagine Downton without her. Writers of Downton: if anyone is going to die this series, please, please, PLEASE don’t let it be the Dowager. We’re just not ready!
Edna
Edna arrived at Downton last year and got her claws into a sadly widowed Tom Branson. Now she’s back with the position of Cora’s lady’s maid after O’Brien’s sudden departure. Who does she have her sights set this time? Tom again? The Earl of Grantham himself? Please behave yourself, Edna. Downton is a classy establishment…
Mrs Patmore
The eccentric cook who likes to keep her staff in line is definitely an underrated resident of Downton. Through Mrs Patmore we get to see how innovative inventions changed the way we cook – we just hope she doesn’t lose her job with the influx of electric blenders headed towards Britain. And the scene where she admitted to sending Daisy the Valentine’s card so she would have something to open…our hearts are melting. Writers, any chance of a love interest for the hardworking cook?
Tom Branson
What would a British period drama be without a ruggedly handsome Irish rogue for the ladies to drool over? We saw him emerge into a shiny new pin after the death of Sybil and the chauffeur slowly became accepted by the family upstairs – the downstairs lot even stand to attention when he enters their quarters. But Tom, please, we’re begging you… Don’t succumb to the rumours and get together with Lady Mary. Although she’s a fellow widower and understands your pain, she’s your dead wife’s sister. We’ll never forgive you.
Watch Downton Abbey, Sundays at 9pm, ITV1
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