New seasons of Downton Abbey usually air in The States several months after they hit the schedule in the U.K. This allows U.S. audiences to get the full season plus the Christmas special in consecutive order, although it also means U.S. fans must avoid the temptation to read recaps before the new episodes are available. If you’ve been waiting to hear when Season 4 of Downton Abbey will hit the schedule, you don’t have to wait any longer. On Tuesday, PBS announced that the new season Downton Abbey will premiere in January of 2014. Additionally, the network has picked up a third season of another U.K. import, Call The Midwife.
THR first reported the news, noting that Season 4 will begin airing on January 5 and will run through February 23. The new season should look quite a bit different than former cycles of the period drama. Jessica Brown Finlay, Dan Stevens, and Siobhan Finneran will not be returning for the new season.
The Downton Abbey universe will certainly be a little less sharp minus some of its brightest characters and sneakiest villains. However, the show has already begun casting for the new season, signing on Gary Carr, Tom Cullen, Nigel Harman, and Dame Harriet Walter. Supposedly, the new season will feature new friendships and even a brand new love interest for Lady Mary Crawley, who lost her husband when Stevens opted to leave the show. The period drama will begin airing in the U.K., also like usual, beginning in September.
Downton Abbey won’t be the only period drama import headed to PBS next season. Call The Midwife will also return for its third season in 2014, and will air episodes set in the 1960s for the first time.
