"Downton Abbey" has been renewed for a fourth season, British broadcaster ITV announced Friday. Though the show has yet to premiereits third season in the US (it bows on PBS on January 6, 2013), it just concluded its run in the UK with its highest-rated season to date, averaging over 12 million viewers for the Season 3 finale.
The fourth season will begin filming eight episodes, plus another Christmas special, in February 2013 for a fall premiere in the UK. Though PBS has yet to issue a statement on its plans for the fourth season, the show is expected to continue at the network.
According to Gareth Neame, executive producer of the series, “viewers can look forward to more drama, comedy, love, hatred, jealousy, rivalry, ambition, despair and romance" in the fourth season.
Before Season 4 premieres, UK viewers can still look forward to the show's Christmas special, which "sees Lord and Lady Grantham and family heading for a summer break in The Highlands of Scotland, leaving most of their servants back at home," according to ITV. The special will air as part of Season 3 on PBS in the US.
【娱乐快讯】虽然大热英剧《唐顿庄园》第三季要到2013年1月6日才能在美国PBS电视台播出，但是美国媒体日前报道，《唐顿庄园》已经成功续订了第四季。据细节透露，第四季共8集+圣诞特辑，预计2013年2月开拍秋季播出。
《唐顿庄园》自播出以来好评如潮，第三季平均观众人数为970万，创全剧历史上新高（第一季840万，第二季950万）。另外该剧第三季的圣诞特辑（2小时）将于12月25日圣诞节当天播出。
而在演员方面，饰演“大表哥” 的演员Dan Stevens 迟迟未与剧组续约，近日更有消息称他极有可能在出演第四季第一集后就告别该剧。在缺失重要角色后的第四季剧情将如何发展，剧迷们拭目以待。