‘Downton Abbey’ Season 4 Premieres In The UK, Matthew’s Death Main Player

Downton Abbey Season 4 is finally upon us, well it premieres across the pond in the UK Sunday night, and Matthew’s tragic death at the end of Season 3 will be felt throughout this new series.

When Dan Stevens (Matthew Crawley) decided not to renew his contract, which he wasn’t obliged to do, it put creator Julian Fellowes in a pickle.

Fellowes readily admits he tried to convince Stevens to stay, at least through the beginning of Season 4 to no avail, the British actor was out of the series, on his way to the US to pursue a movie career.

How will all this play this time around for viewers of Downton Abbey?

The death of a major character is never easy for a long running show and Fellowes has had is hands full trying to shuffle things around, after all Matthew was the heir to Downton Abbey, having all daughters he was the next in line to inherit the estate on behalf of the Grathams.

Season 4 will focus heavily on Lady Mary Crawfley (Michelle Dockery), who was left a widow with a newborn son, after the tragic death of her husband Matthew.

Mary has to find a way to cope with her loss while raising a baby and according to a leaked press packet, as reported by Fashion Style, we will see how Mary has to find her new role in Downton while opening herself to the possibility of finding love again.

Another character who is gravely affected by Matthew’s death is his mother, Isobel Crawley. She is devastated by the loss of her only son and heir to the estate. She will be seen struggling to move on, rarely leaving the house.

It will be interesting to see how all the characters react and are affected by the death of one of the most beloved characters, when Downton Abbey returns to British television on Sunday, September 22 on ITV1.