# Downton Abbey; Series 4 omnibus discussion, speculation, news, gossip, & unboxed spoiler thread. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 3, 2013, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-series-4-omnibus-discussion-speculation-news-gossip-unboxed-spoiler-thread/651888 "2013-03-03T04:19:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2013, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-series-4-omnibus-discussion-speculation-news-gossip-unboxed-spoiler-thread/651888/1 "2013-03-03T04:19:07Z")
Series 4 starts this fall in the UK, and January 2014 in the US. Filming started this months and all sorts of info is leaking on online. Feel free to discuss anything without worrying what constitutes a spoiler or using the boxes. ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2013, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-series-4-omnibus-discussion-speculation-news-gossip-unboxed-spoiler-thread/651888/2 "2013-03-03T04:28:07Z")
The new series is starting six months after Matthew’s death; so that puts it in March or April of 1922. Shirley Maclaine is coming [back](http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/downton-abbey-season-4-cast-425734) for the Christmas special, [O’Brien](http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/downton-abbeys-siobhan-finnerman-not-425645) has moved on (presumably to India with the Flintshires), Lady Mary may be getting some [suitors](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/02/downton-abbey-lady-mary-boyfriend_n_2796504.html?utm_hp_ref=entertainment&), and Downton may get it’s first [black](http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-st-downton-abbey-black-character-20130227,0,3862627.story) character (a jazz musician). ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2013, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-series-4-omnibus-discussion-speculation-news-gossip-unboxed-spoiler-thread/651888/3 "2013-03-03T04:33:48Z")
> [@alphaboi867](#): > > The new series is starting six months after Matthew’s death; so that puts it in March or April of 1922. That is ten years after the pilot episode. Neither Daisy nor Edith have had sex during that time. ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2013, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-series-4-omnibus-discussion-speculation-news-gossip-unboxed-spoiler-thread/651888/4 "2013-03-03T04:47:21Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > That is ten years after the pilot episode. Neither Daisy nor Edith have had sex during that time. Well, alot can happen offscreen in six months, but I think if Edith comsumates her relationship with her editor it’d be something addressed onscreen (not in _that_ way). She’ll turn 30 in 1922, which means her family will have given up all hope of her ever marrying. And she still won’t even be able to vote. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2013, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-series-4-omnibus-discussion-speculation-news-gossip-unboxed-spoiler-thread/651888/5 "2013-03-03T15:55:18Z")
That’s too bad about O’Brien. I know they were setting up the possibility of her leaving in the Christmas special though. So I guess this means Thomas is again going to be the villain :rolleyes: (since Fellowes will surely want some type of antagonism downstairs), and that his experiences during season 3 will have taught him nothing. ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2013, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-series-4-omnibus-discussion-speculation-news-gossip-unboxed-spoiler-thread/651888/6 "2013-03-03T23:11:10Z")
Either that, or O’Brien’s replacement will make her look like a saint. It definantly felt like they were setting up Watkins (Susan’s maid) as an even bigger bitch than her. It’d be intereting if she replaced her. ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2013, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-series-4-omnibus-discussion-speculation-news-gossip-unboxed-spoiler-thread/651888/7 "2013-03-04T13:49:40Z")
> [@alphaboi867](#): > > The new series is starting six months after Matthew’s death; so that puts it in March or April of 1922. Shirley Maclaine is coming [back](http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/downton-abbey-season-4-cast-425734) for the Christmas special, [O’Brien](http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/downton-abbeys-siobhan-finnerman-not-425645) has moved on (presumably to India with the Flintshires), Lady Mary may be getting some [suitors](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/02/downton-abbey-lady-mary-boyfriend_n_2796504.html?utm_hp_ref=entertainment&), and Downton may get it’s first [black](http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-st-downton-abbey-black-character-20130227,0,3862627.story) character (a jazz musician). Well, I see Mr. Boi beat me to it; I came into work today to an email from WGBH about the new casting changes and intended to share it here. Oh well, here is what they’re telling us, in addition to the news about the return of Shirley MacLaine: > [@](#): > > The new cast and characters include: > Tom Cullen as Lord Gillingham, an old family friend of the Crawleys who visits the family as a guest for a house party > Nigel Harman as Green, a valet > Dame Harriet Walter as Lady Shackleton, an old friend of the Dowager > Joanna David in a guest role as the Duchess of Yeovil > Julian Ovenden as aristocrat Charles Blake > Dame Kiri Te Kanawa as a guest who sings at the house ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-series-4-omnibus-discussion-speculation-news-gossip-unboxed-spoiler-thread/651888/8 "2013-04-05T02:00:31Z")
[Here](http://thestir.cafemom.com/entertainment/152267/downton_abbey_season_4_set#/entertainment/152267/downton_abbey_season_4_set/105693/proof_that_matthew_is_well?slideid=105693)’s some pics from the set. ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2013, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-series-4-omnibus-discussion-speculation-news-gossip-unboxed-spoiler-thread/651888/9 "2013-04-13T03:57:58Z")
And according to ITV little Mstr Crawley has a [name](http://www.itv.com/downtonabbey/news/lady-mary-first-picture-series-4/). ---
**Author:** ![David\_H\_Singanas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ac8455/32.png) [@David\_H\_Singanas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_H_Singanas)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2013, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-series-4-omnibus-discussion-speculation-news-gossip-unboxed-spoiler-thread/651888/10 "2013-04-15T11:55:45Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > That is ten years after the pilot episode. Neither Daisy nor Edith have had sex during that time. “That is ten years after the pilot episode. Neither Daisy nor Edith have had sex during that time.” Lady Edith had foreplay with that tenant farmer for whom she operated a tractor during the war. The farmer’s wife was spying on them at times. The wife ended Lady Edith’s job by having a letter sent to Lord Grantham stating that “Lady Crawley’s services are no longer needed.” ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2013, 11:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-series-4-omnibus-discussion-speculation-news-gossip-unboxed-spoiler-thread/651888/11 "2013-05-12T11:30:02Z")
[More](http://www.hypable.com/2013/05/07/downton-abbey-season-4-gareth-neame-mary-gary-carr/) news about series 4, and Gary Carr’s storyline. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2013, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-series-4-omnibus-discussion-speculation-news-gossip-unboxed-spoiler-thread/651888/12 "2013-06-25T13:08:24Z")
Paul Giamatti will play Cora’s playboy brother: [http://insidetv.ew.com/2013/06/24/downton-abbey-paul-giamatti/?hpt=hp\_c4](http://insidetv.ew.com/2013/06/24/downton-abbey-paul-giamatti/?hpt=hp_c4) ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2013, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-series-4-omnibus-discussion-speculation-news-gossip-unboxed-spoiler-thread/651888/13 "2013-06-26T01:52:23Z")
The actor who plays Thomas has shaved his head for another role: [Downton Abbey Star Wears Wig to Cover Shaved Head - East Idaho News](http://www.eastidahonews.com/2013/06/downton-abbey-star-wears-wig-to-cover-shaved-head/) ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2013, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-series-4-omnibus-discussion-speculation-news-gossip-unboxed-spoiler-thread/651888/14 "2013-06-26T04:30:22Z")
This damn series should have ended with the 2011 Christmas special. ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2013, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-series-4-omnibus-discussion-speculation-news-gossip-unboxed-spoiler-thread/651888/15 "2013-06-26T15:53:24Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > This damn series should have ended with the 2011 Christmas special. You don’t want to watch the series—fine. But don’t come in here just to crap on others’ fun. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2013, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-series-4-omnibus-discussion-speculation-news-gossip-unboxed-spoiler-thread/651888/16 "2013-06-26T15:58:44Z")
Last time I checked an opinion that a series was past its best was just that, an opinion and not “crapping on others fun”. The OP stated that “discuss anything”. ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2013, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-series-4-omnibus-discussion-speculation-news-gossip-unboxed-spoiler-thread/651888/17 "2013-06-27T00:28:04Z")
Fine. Give reasons for your opinion and discuss. Don’t just drop a turd here in the thread please. ---
**Author:** ![Sauron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce7236/32.png) [@Sauron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sauron)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2013, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-series-4-omnibus-discussion-speculation-news-gossip-unboxed-spoiler-thread/651888/18 "2013-06-27T15:11:13Z")
> [@Ellen\_Cherry](#): > > Tom Cullen as Lord Gillingham, an old family friend of the Crawleys who visits the family as a guest for a house party “M-O-O-N, that spells ‘Lord Gillingham.’” ---
**Author:** ![Feyrat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/fbc32d/32.png) [@Feyrat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Feyrat)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2013, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-series-4-omnibus-discussion-speculation-news-gossip-unboxed-spoiler-thread/651888/19 "2013-07-15T04:10:40Z")
> [@Sauron](#): > > “M-O-O-N, that spells ‘Lord Gillingham.’” I am glad I’m not the only one who thinks that every time I hear that actor’s name! ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2013, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-series-4-omnibus-discussion-speculation-news-gossip-unboxed-spoiler-thread/651888/20 "2013-07-16T01:51:29Z")
I wonder if there’s any chance the Duke & Duchess of York (QEII’s parents) will show up at one of the Granthams’ parties? The timing is just about right for the newlyweds to show up toward the end of the series. This series is also taking place Egyptology became the hip new fad, given Highclere’s connections to Lord Carnarvon and Tutankhamun they’re just got to work that in somehow. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-series-4-omnibus-discussion-speculation-news-gossip-unboxed-spoiler-thread/651888.md?page=2)