No one has ever described Downton Abbey‘s Mary Crawley (Michelle Dockery) as a ball of sunshine, but when the show returns for its fourth season, she’ll have a few new clouds looming overhead. ”She is still very much in mourning at the beginning of the show,” creator Julian Fellowes tells xfinityTV. ”One of the strands of the new [season], in a way, is her learning to rejoin the land of the living.”

Julian is, of course, referring to Mary losing husband — and new father — Matthew (Dan Stevens) in a car accident at the end of season three. Michelle adds that we can expect to see Mary “miserable again” very soon.

“She invested so much in that relationship with Matthew,” she explains. “[His death] was shocking. She is still grieving.”

As for Mary replacing Matthew with a new suitor — actors Tom Cullen and Julian Ovenden are both joining the cast — executive producer Gareth Neame is keeping quiet:

“You’ll have to watch!”

More ‘Downton Abbey’ Season 4 Spoilers

But while EP Gareth isn’t willing to blab about Downton‘s future, one member of the cast is dropping spoilers left and right:

For starters, O’Brien’s replacement – Siobhan Finneran decided not to return for season four — will share a history with Thomas (Rob James-Collier). “He, obviously, has some kind of hold on her,” Rob teases, “but what that is, who knows?”

Additionally, one of the show’s power couples — Anna (Joanne Froggatt) and Bates (Brendan Coyle) — will have a “brief period of happiness,” followed by a “roller coaster.”

Downton Abbey‘s fourth season premieres Jan. 5 in the U.S.

HollywoodLifers, what would YOU like to see happen in season four? Should Mary immediately look for a new love, or try to make it on her own? Drop a comment with your hopes and predictions.

— Andy Swift
Follow @AndySwift

More ‘Downton Abbey’ Season 4 Scoop:

1. ‘Downton Abbey’ Season 4 Premiere Date Revealed
2. ‘Downton Abbey’ Season 4: Gary Carr Cast As First Black Character
3. ‘Downton Abbey’ Season 4 Pics: The Crawleys Mourn At [Spoiler]‘s Grave

Downton Abbey actress Michelle Dockery, 31, looked nothing like conservative Lady Mary! Sporting a silhouette designed by Peter Pilotto to a Pre-SAG Awards party back on Jan. 26, the star paired the dress with some bright red pumps, along with a bright red pout that really popped. The beauty accessorized the look with a shiny clutch. Michelle wore her hair in a chaotic up-do that off-set the demure feel of the frock. While her look is seriously so bright, can too much color be a bad thing? Regardless, the dress looked fierce and was an excellent choice in terms of showing off the woman’s more diverse and playful style that appears to be evolving.

Leave it to a Victoria’s Secret Angel to steal the show! The always stunning Candice Swanepoel, 24, sported the exact same dress at the debut of the Victoria’s Secret 2013 Swim collection on Mar. 12 in LA. To be fair, anything any of the Angel’s wear is not only going to be instant hit, but an instant motivator to hit the gym! The model flaunted her toned shoulders in the halter dress. Choosing to wear her hair in a polished bun, Candice looked poised and runway ready. The sleek and sexy dress elongated, (as if she needs it!), Candice’s svelte frame. Taking a different route in terms of accessorizing the frock, Candice chose to pair the vivid print with black pumps, which kept the look balanced between sophisticated and trendy.

Who do YOU think wore it better?

Shimriya Richard

More On Michelle Dockery’s & Candice Swanepoel’s Style:

1. Candice Swanepoel Lands Victoria’s Secret ‘Swim 2013′ Catalogue Cover
2. Michelle Dockery Shows Serious Sideboob At 2013 SAG Awards
3. Michelle Dockery’s Sassy SAG Awards Bob: See Her Hair Makeover

“Why?!” That was the word on every Downton Abbey fan’s mind — well, the U.S. fans anyway — when one of the show’s main characters was killed in a car accident on the Feb. 17 season finale. And “why” is the question executive producer Gareth Neame answers in a new interview with Entertainment Weekly. As it turns out, the explanation is two-fold.

First and foremost, Dan Stevens did not re-up his contract for the show’s fourth season. Gareth says the creative team was given enough notice to write Matthew out of the show, but due to the epic nature of his relationship with Mary (Michelle Dockery), there was only one way for him to go.

“We weren’t really faced with an alternative storyline, because I think audiences would not have accepted Mary and Matthew becoming estranged,” Gareth explains. “It was too big a journey that the audience had been on with this relationship. The idea that he would go off on the journey and she wouldn’t go with him, or the idea that he would leave her or she would leave him, I think that would have been so disappointing and unbelievable to an audience. The only course open to us was that the character had to die.”

Needless to say, recasting was also not an option.

Season 4 Spoiler: What’s Next For Mary?

Now that Mary is a single woman again — this time with a baby and a late husband — everyone wants to know what will become of her. Gareth promises that “the destiny of Mary and her child is a big spine of the new season,” but plays coy when discussing Mary’s romantic future.

“Inevitably that means she’s got to, at some point, [find a] new man,” Gareth explains. “She’s an eligible young widow. So we shall see.”

HollywoodLifers, have you come to tearms with Matthew’s death? And would you like to see Mary move on with someone new? Drop a comment with all of your feelings!

Entertainment Weekly

— Andy Swift

Follow @AndySwift

More on Matthew’s Downton Abbey death:

1. ‘Downton Abbey’ Season Finale Recap: Death Takes Another Crawley
2. ‘Downton Abbey’ Season 4 Scoop: How Mary Will ‘Move On’ From Matthew

The Crawleys made their annual trip to Scotland on the Feb. 17 season finale of Downton Abbey, but even though they got far away from home, they brought all of their baggage with them: Mary (Michelle Dockery) bickered with Edith about her relationship with that newspaper chap, Anna revealed her “racy” side to Bates, and the family officially decided to house Rose while her parents go to India — even though Rose sucks.

A very pregnant Mary also had everyone concerned when she had to leave the Ghilles’ Ball early — oh, did I forget to mention there was another time jump and she’s pregnant now? — but she was able to get home and give birth to a healthy baby boy just in time.

Of course, the Crawleys’ celebration will likely be cut short when they learn of the tragedy that occurred just after the birth: While out on a joy ride through the countryside, Matthew (Dan Stevens) collided with another vehicle; his body was discovered in a ditch, and sadly, he didn’t survive.

Read: How Mary Will ‘Move On’ From Matthew In Season 4

The Drama At Home

As always, there was no shortage of drama back at Downton. Here’s a rundown of what happened to our favorite servants this week:

1. A saucy little maid named Edna played mind games with Tom (Allen Leech), trying to make him feel awkward for marrying into a higher class. Of course, this was all part of her plan to lure him in, which she did; she walked in on him naked — shirtless on Downton Abbey is basically naked — and kissed him. Needless to say, she got fired.

2. Dr. Clarkson tried to get all up in cousin Isobel this week by revealing interesting facts about himself, like: I always get drunk before bed. Unsurprisingly, she wasn’t feeling the good doctor, so she let him down gently — and pretty awkwardly. Then he diagnosed her as being a tease and went on his way.

3. A full-on creeper names Joss Tuftin paid a visit to the abbey with a ‘special package’ for Mrs. Patmore. She was so smitten by his incomprehensible accent, and his ability to eat soup with his hands, that she almost agreed to marry him — until he was revealed to have his eye on other laides. All other ladies, actually.

4. After a rowdy game of Tug-Of-War, a group of nogoodnicks ganged up on Jimmy (Ed Speleers.) Fortunately, Thomas (Rob James-Collier) was literally stalking him, so he was there to save the day. He took a beating so Jimmy could escape, which allowed Jimmy to see they really could be friends — just not the kind of friends that kiss each other when they’re asleep.

How do you feel about Matthew’s shocking death? Did you see it coming? How do you think it will affect the series moving forward? Watch the heartbreaking scene below, then drop a comment with your reactions.

— Andy Swift

Follow @AndySwift

More Downton Abbey:

1. ‘Downton Abbey’ Recap: Thomas Finally Puts The Moves On Jimmy
2. ‘Downton Abbey’ Recap: Robert & Cora Clash Over Sybil’s Death
3. ‘Downton Abbey’ Recap: Everyone Suffers Sybil’s Labor Pains

Michelle Dockery, 30, looked elegant and sophisticated with her brand new bob! The style is super retro and gives Michelle such an Old Hollywood-inspired look. The star pulled one side of her hair back to create a masculine/ feminine edge that was super chic.

All About Michelle Dockery

If you didn’t already know, Michelle plays Lady Mary Crawley on the hottest show ever, Downton Abbey.  Her character is totally enviable with her wealthy upbringing, handsome fiance, and major wardrobe. But unlike her character, Michelle has very humble beginnings. She scrimped and saved in order to attend the prestigious Guildhall School of Music & Drama, working as a waitress, in a newspaper recruitment office, and as an assistant for the National Youth Theatre.

Michelle is also an accomplished Jazz musician. She’s performed several times at London’s famed jazz club, Ronnie Scott. She’s also collaborated musically with her costar (and on-screen mother) Elizabeth McGovern. Earlier this year, the pair announced their plans to release an album together.

It was hard for the star to believe she was famous! ”I was in a café in New York waiting for my sister, and a couple next to me were anticipating the last episode,” Michelle told Britain’s T.V. Choice Magazine recently. “I was sitting there contentedly, listening, thinking, ‘This is amazing.’ Then when they got up to leave they recognized me and told me how much they loved the show. I remember texting Dan Stevens [Matthew Crawley]. To be on the other side of the world and have that effect was really something.”

HollywoodLifers, do YOU love Michelle’s hair makeover? Vote below!

– Jennifer Tzeses

More News:

1. Michelle Dockery Shows Serious Sideboob At 2013 SAG Awards
2. ‘Downton Abbey’ Recap: Matthew & Mary’s Wedding Day Finally Arrives
3. ‘Downton Abbey’ Season 3: Five Most Epic Moments To Look Forward To

Michelle Dockery stunned onlookers in a vintage Chado Ralph Rucci black dress, but she showed more cleavage than she intended at the 19th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards! The Downton Abbey star, who is nominated for Best Actress In A Drama Series, graced the red carpet at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles and suffered a wardrobe malfunction when her right breast appeared in the sheer panel at the side of her dress.

Michelle Dockery’s Wardrobe Malfunction

Michelle, 31, has been dominating the Awards show circuit lately, as she was nominated for a Golden Globe for her role as Lady Mary and now she may win a SAG Award for her part as Lord and Lady Grantham’s favorite daughter. Michelle wore a dramatic floor length black dress with red lip stick and a classy updo, when her cleavage made a break for freedom!

Showing too much cleavage happens to the best actresses in Hollywood Michelle, so don’t fret. Remember Jennifer Garner at the Golden Globes?

Full List Of Nominees At The Screen Actors Guild Awards

ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
Claire Danes, Homeland
Maggie Smith, Downton Abbey
Michelle Dockery, Downton Abbey
Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife
Jessica Lange, American Horror Story Asylum

ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Damian Lewis, Homeland
Jon Hamm, Mad Men
Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad
Steve Buscemi, Boardwalk Empire
Jeff Daniels, The Newsroom

ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
Sofia Vergara, Modern Family
Tina Fey, 30 Rock
Edie Falco, Nurse Jackie
Amy Poehler, Parks and Recreation
Betty White, Hot In Cleveland

ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
Ty Burrell, Modern Family
Louis CK, Louie
Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory
Eric Stonestreet, Modern Family

ENSEMBLE IN A DRAMA SERIES
Homeland
Breaking Bad
Boardwalk Empire
Downton Abbey
Mad Men

ENSEMBLE IN A COMEDY SERIES
Modern Family
30 Rock
Nurse Jackie
The Big Bang Theory
Glee
The Office

BEST ENSEMBLE IN A MOTION PICTURE
Argo
Les Miserables
Lincoln
Silver Linings Playbook
Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

BEST ACTOR IN A MOTION PICURE
Bradley Cooper, Silver Linings Playbook
Daniel Day-Lewis, Lincoln
John Hawkes, The Sessions
Hugh Jackman, Les Miserables
Denzel Washington, Flight

BEST ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE
Jessica Chastain, Zero Dark Thirty
Marion Cotillard, Rust & Bone
Jennifer Lawrence, Silver Linings Playbook
Helen Mirren, Hitchcock
Naomi Watts, The Impossible

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE
Alan Arkin, Argo
Javier Bardem, Skyfall
Robert De Niro, Silver Linings Playbook
Phillip Seymour Hoffman, The Master
Tommy Lee Jones, Lincoln

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE
Sally Field, Lincoln
Anne Hathaway, Les Miserables
Helen Hunt, The Sessions
Nicole Kidman, The Paperboy
Maggie Smith, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

Watch the SAG Awards red carpet coverage here.

What do YOU think HollywoodLifers? Do you think Michelle should be embarrassed? Or does she look great regardless?

WATCH: SAG Awards Fashion: Wardrobe Malfunction, Side Boob & More!

– Eleanore Hutch

More SAG Awards News:

1. SAG Awards Best Dressed 2013 — Jennifer Lawrence & More
2. 2013 Screen Actors Guild Awards Winners: Anne Hathaway & More
3. 2013 Screen Actors Guild Awards Red Carpet Live Stream — Watch

Matthew Crawley, you are sacrificing the only woman you have ever really loved – Lady Mary — and her family, over your ridiculously genteel feelings of guilt.

Come on, Matthew — it’s time to get real. You have to put the pressing needs of you living loved ones ahead of your ridiculously unnecessary feelings of guilt over your dead ex-fiancee, Lavinia.

You have married Lady Mary, and you’re in even deeper as a Crawley family member than ever before. You are the heir to the entire Downton Abbey estate, for God’s sake.

That means that you have a responsibility not just to your wife, but to your in-laws and the entire Downton Abbey staff and their families. As the next Earl of Grantham, it’s your job to keep the whole show on the road — whether you like it or not.

If Matthew Won’t Save Downton Abbey, Tons of Lives Will Be Ruined

That means that you have to step in now that Robert, Lord Grantham‘s bad investments in Canadian railways have vaporized the Crawley family fortune.

How can you let Mary’s family become homeless? And what will happen to all the Downton downstairs staff, who’ve devoted their entire lives to the Crawley family. Carson, Daisy, Anna, Mrs. Padmore and Mrs. Hughes, will all be unemployed as well as homeless.

And Matthew, you will allow all this to happen just because you think it’s unseemly to use Lavinia’s father’s fortune?

I’ve heard about “honor,” but this is taking “doing the right thing” way too far.

Is it because you’ve been too lucky in money? After all, you originally hail from the non-monied Crawley part of the family, and first you found out that weirdly you would inherit Downton Abbey, and THEN you inherit Lavinia’s father’s enormous fortune. Who knew, the guy was loaded!

But instead of jumping up and down and using the dough to save your wife’s family and home, you want to give it away, out of guilt! You don’t think you should  benefit from Lavinia’s death!

Matthew Shouldn’t Be Haunted By Guilt Over Lavinia’s Death

Matthew, that’s completely idiotic! You didn’t kill Lavinia — the deadly influenza of 1918, killed Lavinia. She didn’t die of heartbreak — much as you’re torturing yourself! The infamous influenza killed up to 50 million people and a huge portion were young, healthy adults like Lavinia. And if you think about it, everyone inherits money from dead people That’s what wills are all about.

Secondly, giving away the money won’t bring back Lavinia — who you didn’t actually love, which is making your guilt worse — but it will potentially ruin your marriage to Mary.

Your initial refusal to use the fortune to save Downton, instantly made Mary freak out and almost call off the wedding. And that’s understandable. If you loved her and cared about her family, helping her should have been a no-brainer.

Lady Mary Is Right To Doubt Your True Love

When she shouted “you’re not on our side!” she was right. You aren’t! And you should be!

Your instincts upon hearing about her family’s plight should have instantly been to help!

Matthew — if you allow Downton to go down, Mary will never forgive you. You need to chose your living true love and your responsibilities to Downton Abbey over indulging in some senseless “honorable” guilt trip! Don’t you agree, HollywoodLifers? Let me know!

Watch More ENTV Videos!

– Bonnie Fuller

More Downton Abbey on HollywoodLife.com:

1. ‘Downton Abbey’ Season 3: Five Most Epic Moments To Look Forward To
2. ‘Downton Abbey’ Season 4 Scoop: How Mary Will ‘Move On’ From Matthew
3. ‘Downton Abbey’ Creator Reveals Prequel Plans For Robert & Cora

Oh, Downton Abbey, how we’ve missed you. The show’s Jan. 6 season premiere brought back the entire Crawley clan — along with a super-sassy Shirley MacLaine as Cora’s mother — for a wedding event full of tears, drama, and of course, bitchy old-world asides from Maggie Smith as the Dowager Countess. (“An aristocrat without servants is as useful to the county as a glass hammer.”)

Unfortunately, the splendor of Downton is being threatened in season three, as a serious of bad investments by Robert (Hugh Bonneville) has basically cost everyone their fortunes. This just reinforces what I’ve always believed about Robert: He’s the absolute worst. Edith (Laura Carmichael) clearly inherited all of his genes.

OK, let’s check in with what the rest of the Abbey crew was up to this week…

Matthew & Mary: 

After two long years of ‘courtship,’ it was so rewarding to finally see Matthew (Dan Stevens) and Mary (Michelle Dockery) — who are already related, but we’ll overlook that weirdness — become husband and wife. In fact, their nuptials were one fine Pippa Middleton ass away from outshining the Royal Wedding. The only hiccup with their big day came when Matthew learned he could be inheriting Lavinia’s family’s money — you remember Lavinia, the chick who died from that wicked cold in season two — and he didn’t want to use it to bail Downton out of debt. Mary delivered a powerful speech about being on her family’s side (Emmy please!), but the two eventually made nice. Thank God.

Tom & Sybill: 

My favorite part of the episode for my favorite couple was when Sybill’s former suitor Larry Grey — whose one giant cocky eyebrow rivals any of histories’ most cartoonish villains — slipped a pill into Tom’s drink, causing him to be drunker/sexier than everyone else at the dinner party. After a brief outburst, Edith’s ancient boyfriend called Larry out on it, and everyone lept to Tom’s defense. The Crawleys stick together, and no man can stop them. No matter how enormous and absurd his eyebrow is.

Edith & The One-Armed Man: 

It’s a shame Edith is living out her sad, awkward life in the 1920s, because you know what she really needs? A sassy gay friend, one who would force her to take a step back and analyze her extremely poor life choices. For example, why is she literally throwing herself at Sir Anthony, the 100-year-old man with one good arm? Like, I get that Edith is super-unfortunate in looks and personality, but at least she’s got money and a title. That goes a long way in her weird little world!

Anna & Bates:

Oh, these two. Anna spent much of the premiere visiting Bates — who could totally play Kyle Chandler‘s much-older brother in a movie — in prison after being convicted of killing his wife. (Personally, I think she sucked and killing her should have earned him a medal, but whatever.) Determined to prove his innocence, Anna collected a list of all his acquaintances to try and see if any of them could confirm that Vera was suicidal. Maybe it would help if Anna just went back and watched season two! God, what a dummy.

The Rest Of The Help:

Downton’s downstairs department was surprisingly quiet this week, considering the impending wedding, but we did get to meet one new recruit: O’Brien’s super-ginger nephew Alfred! The mistress of miscarriages finagled a job for her nephew, but Thomas (Rob-James Collier) wasn’t exactly eager to help him graduate to valet — a decision that will haunt him for the rest of the season, mark my words. If there’s one thing you must remember as the season unfolds, it’s that O’Brien is a dirty bitch who mustn’t be trusted. Also remember that Daisy is whiney and terrible… but that shouldn’t be hard to forget.

What did you think of the season premiere? Was Matthew and Mary’s wedding everything you dreamed it would be? Drop me a comment with your review of the episode!

— Andy Swift

Follow @AndySwift

More Downton Abbey on HollywoodLife.com:

1. ‘Downton Abbey’ Season 3: Five Most Epic Moments To Look Forward To
2. ‘Downton Abbey’ Season 4 Scoop: How Mary Will ‘Move On’ From Matthew
3. ‘Downton Abbey’ Creator Reveals Prequel Plans For Robert & Cora