Michelle Dockery has confirmed her 'Downton Abbey' character Lady Mary Crawley will not get together with Tom Branson in the new series.
Despite both Lady Mary and Tom - played by Allen Leech - being widowed parents, she told the Television Critics Association they won't become romantically involved, said the Daily Mirror.
Michelle said: "They are very much friends. They become close because of what they've been through."
But Tom is set to get a new love interest, in the form of a governess played by Daisy Lewis.
A source said: "Daisy will become one of Downton's most prominent characters. She wowed producers in her audition and they are delighted to have secured such a brilliant young actress.
"Her romance with Tom will be one of the main storylines of the series. He will begin to develop feelings for her and they start a secret affair.
"Tom will have an even bigger role in the new series after becoming the estate manager of Downton. The writers know he is a very popular character and the viewers were gripped by Lady Sybil's traumatic death.
"In the Christmas special, one of the new maids tried to kiss Tom although, at the time, he wasn't quite ready to move on. But viewers will see that's all going to change in the new series."
