‘Downton Abbey’ Shocker: Siobhan Finneran Not Returning For Season 4

O'Brien? More like No-Brien! The actress confirms she won't be appearing on the show's fourth season. Were you hoping Cora (Elizabeth McGovern) would eventually learn the truth about how O'Brien (Siobhan Finneran) caused her miscarriage, resulting in an epic confrontation? Sorry to disappoint you, but Siobhan has confirmed to The Huffington Post UK that everyone's least-favorite bang-sporting maid will not be on Downton Abbey when the show returns for season four.

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March 1, 2013 1:10PM EST

O'Brien Leaving Downton Abbey — Image Credit: Courtesy of ITV

“I’m not doing any more,” she told the site. “O’Brien is a thoroughly despicable human being — that was great to play.”

The news was futher confirmed by a spokesperson from the show.

But don’t worry; though Siobhan is moving out of the abbey, she won’t be leaving television completely. She has an upcoming role on The Syndicate, which will air on BBC1.

Other Actors Who Asked To Leave ‘Downton Abbey’

Fans may be shocked to learn that Siobhan asked to leave Downton Abbey, but she certainly isn’t the first actor to make that request.

Dan Stevens, who played Matthew Crawley since the pilot, asked to leave the series after season three — hence why his character was crushed to death by his own car on the Feb. 17 season finale, leaving Mary (Michelle Dockery) a widowed mother of a newborn boy.

Jessica Brown Findlay, who played Lady Sybil Crawley, also asked to leave the show — and thus, her character died while in labor with husband Tom’s (Allen Leech) baby.

HollywoodLifers, will you miss O’Brien’s wicked antics on Downton Abbey? Do you think Thomas (Rob James-Collier) has what it takes to fill her sinister shoes? Drop a comment with your reaction to Siobhan’s departure, as well as your predictions for season four.

Other Actors Who Asked To Leave ‘Downton Abbey’

— Andy Swift