'Downton Abbey' Series 4 To Take 'A Whole Different Direction' - What Should Mary Do Next?

'Downton Abbey' series four will "take a turn in a whole different direction," the show's executive producer Gareth Neame has said.

Neame reportedly told E! Online that Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) will attempt to "rebuild her life" after her husband Matthew (Dan Stevens) died in the Christmas special.

The website reports Neame explaining: "This is a lesson in something that seems like a really big loss in the moment, but will actually turn into a great opportunity... which it will also be for the show, to take a turn in a whole different direction."

Show creator Julian Fellowes has also revealed that he's not too disappointed about Stevens' exit from 'Downton' - because it will bring more drama for Lady Mary Crawley.

The creator promised that there will be juicy plots for his widow Mary in the upcoming fourth series.

On Thursday, we reported that Dame Maggie Smith will be back as the Dowager in the next series, despite doubts that she hadn't signed on.

TVLine claims the veteran actress - who has been a popular and award-winning success as the acerbic Dowager - will return.

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