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Top 10 Unusual Downton Abbey Christmas Gifts for this Holiday Season That You Probably Didn't Know About

12/5/2014

Looking for something different than the usual t-shirts, mugs, and calenders for the Downton Abbey fans on your list? Scroll down to find some of the more unusual ones you may not have known existed.
Click on the image or text link to view the current offers on amazon.com

10. The Dowager Countess Teddy Bear

Downton Abbey Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham by North American Bear Co. (6616)

This bear is a limited edition collectible made by the North American Bear Co, known for their high quality plush collectible bears. Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess of Grantham in her signature purple damask outfit from the early years. Other bears available include Lady Mary, Cora, and Lord Grantham. 12" high, fully jointed. MSRP: $75

9. Downton Abbey Quilter's Fabric

For the DA fan who is also a quilter (or the quilter looking to make a gift for a Downton Abbey fan), there is a large selection of 100% cotton high quality Downton Abbey Fabric available by the yard. The prints include period style damask and paisleys, and one featuring the Downton Abbey crest. Made by Andover Fabrics. MSRP $9.98/yard

8. Christmas at Downton Abbey Music CD

Christmas at Downton Abbey (2CD)

Just released in November,this collection of traditional Christmas music will be a terrific background soundtrack for your holiday dinners. The 2 CD collections features music performed by Elizabeth McGovern (Cora Crawley, Lady Grantham) and Julian Ovenden (Charles Blake). Jim Carter (Mr. Carson) performs a wonderful reading of Twas the Night Before Christmas at the end of the first CD. The Choir of Kings College Cambridge also performs many traditional carols to set the atmosphere of an early 20th century holiday time. MSRP $14.88 for CD, $14.49 for MP3

7. Puzzles

Downton Abbey 1000-Piece Puzzle - Violet and Cora

There is a surprisingly large choice of different Downton Abbey inspired puzzles available in both 500 and 1000 piece varieties. The one featured here is particularly interesting with the background of the library, one of the favorite rooms in the castle. There are many others to choose from as well. MSRP: Varies

6. Throw Pillows and Covers

18" Downton Abbey Life "Never a Dull Moment" British Decorative Damask Square Throw Pillow Cover Only

Ask any Downton Abbey fan and they are bound to have a favorite witticism from the Dowager Countess or Lady Mary. Immortalize them with one of these pillows. There is a wide variety including "You'll find there's never a dull moment in this house", "I don't care a fig about rules", "I hanker for a simpler world, is that a crime?" and of course "What is a Weekend?". There are also pillows with photos of the downstairs staff including Mr. Carson, Anna, Mr. Bates, and others. Some are covers only and pillow inserts must be purchased separately. MSRP: varies

See more pillows here!

5. Year in the Life of Downton Abbey

A Year in the Life of Downton Abbey: Seasonal Celebrations, Traditions, and Recipes

For a more traditional gift there is a new Downton Abbey coffee table book available that was released in late October 2014. A Year in the Life of Downton Abbey written by Jessica Fellowes offers a behind the scenes look and details about filming, costumes, and historical information. Perfect for any DA fan. MSRP: $29.99 currently $18.30 on amazon.com

4. Downton Abbey Theme Sheet Music for Easy Piano

Downton Abbey: Original Music from the Television Series

The theme score of Downton Abbey is beautiful and instantly recognizable. This collection of sheet music for Easy Piano gives 17 original pieces including the title theme, "Love and the Hunter" from the fox hunt in Season 1 and many other recognizable themes. MSRP: $14.99 currently $11.57 on amazon.com

3. Downton Abbey Jewelry

There are so many beautiful 1928 Jewelry Company Downton Abbey earrings, necklaces, and hair pieces to choose from it is nearly impossible to pick one to highlight. But these gorgeous faux sapphire earrings will look spectacular with any holiday party wear. Explore the collection here on amazon.com

2. Autographed Photos and Scripts from Cast Members

Dan Stevens Autographed Signed 11x14 Photo COA Matthew Crawley Character Name Inscription Downton Abbey Abbey Rare

Downton Abbey Cast Signed 8X10 Photo COA Guarantees Authenticity

The availability of these autographed photos and scripts can vary from day to day, but for the true fans of Dan Stevens, Michelle Dockery or other any other DA actor an autographed photo or script would make an amazing gift. (ETA: it seems like all the scripts are currently sold out but check back as more may come available).

For the ultimate fan, check out this photo from Season 2 signed by 18 cast members and Julian Fellowes. A truly unique and spectacular gift.

1. Department 56 Downton Abbey Castle Building

Downton Abbey® Department 56 Lighted Building (4036506)

Why not give the gift of splendor - your very own replica of Highclere Castle, the manor house used in the filming of Downton Abbey. This authentic Department (Dept) 56 lighted building is sure to be a hit with anyone who collects Dept. 56 and is a fan of Downton Abbey. Also available are Department 56 style people representing the Dowager Countess and Lord and Lady Grantham.

Explore our full site at GiftsForFansofDowntonAbbey.com for Kitchen items like aprons, towels, and tableware, Mugs, T-shirts, Calendars, and many other Downton Abbey licensed and fan-inspired gifts!

GiftsforFansofDowntonAbbey.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. This website also participates in other affiliate programs including but not limited to zazzle.com, redbubble.com, Google AdSense and shopPBS.com.This is an unofficial fan-inspired site and is not officially connected with the creators or producers of Downton Abbey.
See Terms of Use page.

Christmas at Downton Abbey - Music CD and MP3 download featuring cast members Elizabeth McGovern, Julian Oventon, and Jim Carter

11/3/2014

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Christmas at Downton Abbey (2CD)

Christmas at Downton Abbey

The Christmas at Downton Abbey CD is a 2 disc collection of 45 songs for the Christmas Holidays. Even more exciting is that several of the songs are performed by cast members Elizabeth McGovern (Cora, Lady Grantham) and Julian Ovenden (Charles Blake). Also features is opera star Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, who was featured in Season 4 are Dame Nellie. Other music provided by the Choir of Kings College, Cambridge, and various other artists.

Best of all, track 23 (end of Disc 1) features Jim Carter reading 'Twas The Night Before Christmas poem by Clement Clarke Moore!

Here is the final Track Listing, as provided by amazon.com

Disc 1
1. The Budapest City Orchestra and The Budapest Choral Voices - The Downton Christmas Suite Pt.1
2. Julian Ovenden - O Holy Night
3. Elizabeth McGovern - It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
4. Elizabeth McGovern & Julian Ovenden - The First Noel
5. Julian Ovenden - The Sussex Carol
6. Julian Ovenden & Katie Marshall -12 Days Of Christmas
7. Julian Ovenden – Silent Night
8. Dame Kiri Te Kanawa - We Wish You A Merry Christmas
9. Choir Of Kings College, Cambridge - In The Bleak Midwinter
10. Dame Kiri Te Kanawa – Oh, Little Town Of Bethlehem
11. Choir Of Kings College, Cambridge - Once In Royal Davids City
12. Choir Of Kings College, Cambridge - Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
13. Choir Of Kings College, Cambridge - Oh Come, All Ye Faithful
14. William Christie - Charpentier Messe de Minuit pour Noel, Kyrie
15. Choir Of Kings College, Cambridge - Ding Dong! Merrily On High
16. Dame Kiri Te Kanawa - Good King Wenceslas
17. Choir Of Kings College, Cambridge - While Shepherds Watched
18. Choir Of Kings College, Cambridge - Away in a manger
19. Choir Of Kings College, Cambridge - In Dulci Jubilo
20. Libera - Panis Angelicus
21. Il Giardino Armonico - Christmas Concerto 1st Movement, Vivaldi
22. Alexander Lazarev - Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy from The Nutcraker Suite
23. Jim Carter - Twas The Night Before Christmas

Disc 2
1. The Budapest City Orchestra and The Budapest Choral Voices - The Downton Christmas Suite Pt.2
2. Joel Cohen - Joy To The World
3. Choir Of Kings College, Cambridge - God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen
4. Choir Of Kings College, Cambridge - Angels, From The Realms Of Glory
5. Nikolaus Harnoncourt - Handel Messiah Hallelujah Chorus
6. Dame Kiri Te Kanawa - The Holly and the Ivy
7. Thomas Hampson - Go, Tell It On The Mountain
8. Alexander Lazarev – March from The Nutcraker Suite
9. Dame Kiri Te Kanawa - Tannenbaum
10. Dame Kiri Te Kanawa - I Saw Three Ships
11. Carleton Etherington & Benjamin Nicholas - When Christ Was Born Of Mary Free
12. Choir Of Kings College, Cambridge - Adam Lay Ybounden
13. Choir Of Kings College, Cambridge - The First Nowell
14. Andrew Parrot, Taverner Choir & Taverner Consort - We Three Kings Of Orient Are
15. Choir Of Kings College, Cambridge - O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
16. Ralph Allwood, Rodolfus Choir & Sam Jenkins - I Sing The Birth
17. William Christie - Noels sur les Instruments
18. Joel Cohen – Nouvelles, Nouvelles
19. Joel Cohen - Chantons Noel, Menons Joyeuse Vie
20. Choir Of Kings College, Cambridge – The Three Kings
21. Nikolaus Harnoncourt – O Thou Tellest Good Tidings to Zion
22. Claudio Scimone - Christmas Concerto 3rd Movement, Corelli

Official release date is November 17, 2014. Pre-order now for the best price!

Christmas at Downton Abbey (2CD) - back cover

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How to Be Lady Mary: Where to Find Downton Abbey Halloween Costumes

9/17/2014

1 Comment

One of the best things about Downton Abbey is the costuming. In fact Downton Abbey has been nominated for several Outstanding Costumes for a Series awards at the Emmys, BAFTA and other award ceremonies. Who wouldn't love to dress in the opulence of Lady Mary, or the sweetness of Lady Sybil? Downton Abbey characters inspire dreams of luxury. I have searched around the web to find costumes that would make the perfect Downton Abbey DIY Halloween costumes. Many of these lovely gowns would also be perfect for a Downton Abbey style wedding!

Downton Abbey Halloween Costumes

Pre 1920 - Edwardian Fashion

Seasons 1 and 2 of Downton Abbey take place in the Edwardian period.Edwardian clothes was quite different than the preceding Victorian period. Clothes from 1901-1919s were design to accentuate a woman's figure with flowing, long lines and very detailed laces and trims. Of course daughters of an earl would be expected to change several times a day, as there were different outfits to be worn if one was walking, paying calls, or horseback riding. Of course everyone dressed in their finest evening ware for a dinner at the manor house. These dresses are floor length or perhaps just to the ankle.

Click on any gown or costume picture to see buying options.

Lady Edith, Lady Sybil and Lady Mary, Downton Abbey, Season 1.

These gowns are elegant representations of some of the dresses available online. Some are "costume" quality while others are elegant gowns that could be worn as evening wear. To find these online, try searching "Downton Abbey costume" or "Edwardian dress costume". Any would look great for unique Halloween costume party.

Custom Made Downton Abbey Dress

Chocolate Vintage Look Tea Downton Abbey Dress - victoriantradingco.com

Nataya 40163 Downton Abbey Tea Party Gown in Ruby Plum - romanceofyesteryear.com

Black Lace Long Gown - modcloth.com

Nataya 40007 Dress in Black/Coco

Nataya 40163 Downton Abbey Wedding Gown in Pearl - wardrobeshop.com

Downton Abbey Halloween Costume - Nataya 5901 Black/Silver Dress

Geranium Dress form Victorian Trading Company

Christmas Special - Season 2. One of the most beautiful scenes in the whole series was when Matthew and Mary were standing out in the lightly falling snow, and Matthew proposes to Mary. (oh why did you have to break our hearts and leave the show, Dan Stevens?)

Downton Abbey Couples Costumes

Countess of Grantham Costume - Chasing-fireflies.com

Here is a true Downton Abbey costume - one of the few licensed ones,brought to you by chasing-fireflies.com.
Be the lady of the manor, Cora, the Countess of Grantham in this beautiful outfit. Hat sold separately.

Downton Abbey Maid's Costume

For the servants chasing-fireflies.com also has a couple's costume set for a maid and footman (or butler).

Little Girl Downton Abbey Maid Costume

Earl of Grantham Costume - chasing-fireflies.com

To make this the perfect couples costume, chasing-fireflies.com also offers the Earl of Grantham 4 pc Halloween costume, which includes the jacket, shirt, knickers and cap. Boots sold separately. This would also work as a costume for Matthew.

Downton Abbey Footman Servants Costume

Men's Servants costume (go to site to view better pictures).
Great to team up with the Maid costume.

All four of these adult Downton Abbey costumes are also available in children's sizes.

Dressing Downstairs

Ladies Maid Dress - LadiesEmporium.com

Edwardian Day Dress

Siobhann Finneran as Ladies Maid Sarah O'Brien

If you tend more towards Team Servants, there are more modest costumes too. This plain black dress would be perfect as a Ladies Maid dress, paired with black tights and shoes.

Kitchen maid Gwen at her job interview with the phone company. This style of dress was more fashionable in the period from 1900-1910. As a servant, they likely would not have had the latest fashions.

Post War - 1920s

In the post World War I years the fashions became so much looser. Waistlines were dropped or non-existent. Embroidery and chiffon were often used as an over-layer to the silk or satin sheath shell underneath. Sequins adorned everything, especially 1920s "club wear".

Lady Rose MacClare shows the brilliance of the flapper dress of the 1920s. The dresses haven't quite gotten "short" yet, but they are definitely quite opulent.

Blush Pink Flapper Dress - ebay.com

Gold Vintage Flapper Dress - ebay.com

Anna-Kaci Embroidered Dress - amazon.com

Bead Reproduction Flapper Dress - unique-vintage.com

Accessories to finish the Look

To make the difference between looking like Lady Mary and just going on a night on the town, you need to concentrate on the accessories. Click on any photo to go to the product pictured.

Doing your hair in the style of the time is another key way to make it obvious you are dressing like an earl's daughter or wife. An upswept bun with light curls or waves framing your face will definitely give you am vintage look.
Amazing Hairstyles by Becky Porter will help you get the look you want!

Amazing Hairstyles: From Easy to Elegant

Long Elbow Black Silken Satin Gloves - ladiesemporium.com

Long elbow length gloves will probably make the biggest difference in your Downton Abbey costume. Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary always wore skin tight gloves, often black satin. A pair of elegant gloves will definitely put the right look to your outfit.

Period shoes finish off the details of your Lady of Downton Abbey look. Some are cute enough to wear with slacks or a skirt to the office.
These cute kitten heel shoes would look great with a vintage costume. For a slightly higher heel these Mary Janes would look fantastic with your Downton Abbey Halloween Costume.

The 20's flapper style headband and cloche hat will add extra sparkle to your costume, and complete your Lady Rose costume look!

Lace Corset - ladiesemporium.com

The use of a corset was a fact of life for Edwardian women. It accentuated a small waist and made a woman sit quite upright. They are quite uncomfortable but really gives a period costume the right look. Every woman wore one, even the servants (even actress Lesley Nichols wore one in her role as Mrs. Patmore). By the 1920s the use of the corset dropped dramatically.

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Which Downton Abbey Character's Personality Are You?

9/5/2014

Thank you to graspingforobjectivity.com for another great Downton Abbey graphic.

Following the Myers-Briggs Personality Type Indicator (MBTI), the brilliant blogger at www.graspingforobjectivity.com has created another fabulous Downton Abbey graphic that does a great job of explaining each character's personality.

If you aren't familiar with Myers-Briggs Personality Type Indicator test here is a summary:

First Letter E or I - Extroverted or Introverted - Are you energized when you are around people, or would you rather be alone?
Second Letter: S or N - Sensing or Intuition - Do you use your senses in making judgement or rely more on intuition?
Third Letter: T or F - Thinking or Feeling - Are you logical and objective, or do you rely more on feelings and ideas?
Fourth Letter: J or P - Judging or Perceiving - Do you prefer structure and rules, or would you rather wing it?

Tell us in the comments below which Downton Abbey character you are most like!

Downton Abbey Water Bottle Debacle

8/16/2014

By now you have probably seen this infamous photo that was accidentally released by Downton Abbey. A anachronistic plastic water bottle was left on the mantelpiece in this photo of Lord Grantham and Lady Edith. It exploded all over the internet, because of course people to laugh at other people's mistakes!

To the great credit of the cast and crew of Downton Abbey, they have used "Water-Bottle-Gate" as an opportunity to promote the charity WaterAid, an organization which works to help disadvantage areas obtain and sustain clean water and safe sanitation. A photo of the cast each holding a water bottle with a mock "uh-oh" look on their faces has been posted to the WaterAid web site to help raise awareness for a water cause that actually deserves attention. Bravo, Downton Abbey.

Downton Abbey Season 5 Previews

7/24/2014

One of the photos from filming of Season 5 of Downton Abbey. Photo Credit: NY Daily News

On Tuesday July 22nd the Television Critics Association was treated to a preview of Season 5 of Downton Abbey.

More Dead Crawleys? First off, no major character dies! Hooray for that!
Brary (Branson and Mary) Romance? Brary-ship fans will continue to be disappointed as there seems to be no romance in store between Lady Mary and Branson (hooray for that too!). However they are both looking for a new love in their life, but in very different places. Schoolteacher Sarah Bunting seems to still have influence over Tom, and Lord Grantham is not necessarily happy about it.
Baby Bates? Anna and Mr. Bates (I would love to hear her call him John for once) are still dealing with Anna's rape. Did he kill Green? Do we hope he did? Those questions will remain with us through Season 5, hopefully with some sort of closure. A Baby Bates would certainly be a sweet addition, but then how on earth would Lady Mary get dressed in the morning without her Lady's Maid?
Go Granny!: The Dowager Countess (how we love her!) apparently was not a shy wallflower in her youth, as there is a suggestion made of a possible "past" with a prince. "Go Granny!"
Poor, poor Edith: And finally, poor Lady Edith has to watch from afar as her daughter is raised by the nearby farming family. Will Gregson be found, dead or alive? And what was that paper she signed the night before he went away? Will Edith inherit money in her own right and not have to live under Papa's thumb anymore? Or will she find herself the owner of a newspaper and no clue what to do? Maybe one of these days Edith will catch a break.
Harson (Mrs. Hughes and Carson) Romance?: Okay, well what about Mr. Carson and Mrs. Hughes holding hands at the end of Season 4? Will their "working" marriage as Butler and Housekeeper blossom into a true romantic relationship? I almost hope not as the tension of "almost" love is often better than when the on-screen couple actually get together.

You can read more of what the TV Critics saw at this article from TV Guide.

When will the new season of Downton Abbey start?

Downton Abbey Season 5 airs mid-September 2014 on ITV in the United Kingdom, and
January 4th 2015 in the United States on PBS.

From Laura Carmichael Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/laura.ladyedith/photos/a.1382432501977368.1073741834.1379248458962439/1395964177290867/?type=1&relevant_count=1

Downton Abbey Deleted Scenes from Season 3

7/22/2014

Did you know that when Downton Abbey plays on PBS in the US they actually add footage? When the show airs on ITV in the UK there are commercial breaks. However, lucky for those in the United States when Downton Abbey airs on PBS there are no commercials, so they add in extra scenes. When the DVDs are published or if you download from Amazon Prime, you see the original UK versions. So here are some of the added scenes that you may have missed:

Downton Abbey Missing Scene
Season 3, Episode 3

Downton Abbey Missing Scene
Season 3, Episode 4

I'm glad we get to see a bit more of Mr. Mason and Daisy here. He is so sweet, and her visit makes a lot more sense with this scene.

Downton Abbey Missing Scene
Season 3, Episode 5

You will cry again at minute 4:00-4:45

Downton Abbey Missing Scene
Season 3, Episode 6

Highclere Castle, more Monarch of the Glen than Downton Abbey

7/16/2014

Highclere Castle, UK

The exterior and interior upstairs scenes in Downton Abbey is filmed at Highclere Castle, the ancestral home of the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon in West Berkshire, UK. The opulence and splendor we see on the hit British ITV drama belies the truth of how much of the castle looked just a few short years ago in 2009. This post in the Daily Mail shows dramatic pictures of some of the bedrooms that are literally crumbling to the floor.

It is so fortunate that Julian Fellowes, a friend of the Highclere owners Lord and Lady Carnavan, saw the potential in building an entire fictional world around this spendid home. He had done it once before with the Ardverikie Estate in Scotland, with the hit series Monarch of the Glen. In fact Monarch of the Glen, the story of a Scottish family estate trying to avoid bankruptcy by making the house a tourist attraction, actually tells the story of Highclere Castle much better than Downton Abbey does. Downton Abbey may be representative of Highclere's past, but Monarch of the Glen is a much better representation of it's present and future.

Read more about it here in this 2009 story in the Daily Mail.

Ardverikie Estate, Kinloch Laggan, Scotland, setting for the Monarch of the Glen show.

It's Downton Abbey Time Again!

7/15/2014

Photo Credit: Alexi Lubormirski for Harper's Bazaar UK

Downton Abbey ladies at a photo shoot for Harper's Bazaar

Fans in Britain are gearing up for the new season of Downton Abbey (Series 5) that will air in mid-September. Rumour has it to be September 14th 2014 but it it not official yet.

The August 2014 issue of Harper's Bazaar in the UK features a photo shoot of all the Downton ladies, including the downstairs staff including Phyllis Logan (Mrs. Hughes), Leslie Nichol (Mrs. Patmore), Sophie McShera (Daisy), Raquel Cassidy (Baxter, Lady Grantham's ladies's maid) and Emmy nominee Joanne Froggatt (Anna Bates). While we are used to seeing Michelle Dockery (Lady Mary), Laura Carmichael (Lady Edith), Elizabeth McGovern (Cora, Lady Grantham), and Lily James (Lady Rose) in amazing gowns in their roles on the show, they are still stunning in these modern designer gowns.

The accompanying article has many fascinating clues to the "behind the scenes" world of Downton Abbey. The women have high praise for writer/creator Julian Fellowes. Elizabeth McGovern, who plays Lady Grantham, is quoted saying how Fellowes has a ‘sixth sense for character and… the politics of emotions, class, familial status’.

You can read the full article on line at Harper's Bazaar UK.

Photo Credit: Alexi Lubormirski for Harper's Bazaar UK

How to watch Season 4 of Downton Abbey in the US in September 2013

8/20/2013

We know how you feel.

Poor Matthew is dead, Mary is a widow with a baby, and Tom is trying to keep the Abbey in business. Yet the producers of PBS insist on making us wait 4 months later than when Downton Abbey is shown in the UK. In the meantime the spoilers fly around on Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr and the surprises get ruined anyway.

But what can you do besides move to Britain for 8 weeks in the fall?

There are ways to catch the latest episode of Downton Abbey online after it airs in Britain. We told you about some last year, but we have found a much better alternative.

Expat Shield

Expat Shield is a nifty little software package than can assign your computer a UK-based IP address. The assignment is only temporary and can easily be turned on and off. This allows you access to the itv player where you can watch Downton Abbey after it airs in the UK.

How to install Expat Shield

Expat Shield is simple to install. Simply go to the Expat Shield homepage and click on the Download button. The software will install and put a shortcut on your desktop.

To use Expat Shield:

1. Open the shortcut from your desktop.
2. Your default browser will open and Expat Shield will launch. Wait for it to launch until you see Connected in the window.
3. Open another browser window and go to the ITV player or the ITV Downton Abbey home page
4. Find the episode you want to watch, and open it.
5. When you are done watching, simply launch the Expat Shield shortcut again, and click Disconnect. If you don't disconnect you will find you are brought to the UK version of sites like amazon.com and google.com.

Is Expat Shield Legal?

We do not offer any legal advice on this page.

Here are some links to help you decide for yourself.

Expat Shield Terms of Use

How to watch BBC and ITV

Expat Shield for Brits Abroad

Other Alternatives

Tunnel Bear is an Expat Shield type software program. Read more about it here.

This Facebook page, Downton Abbey Series 4, may have links to watch episodes after they air. This page WILL contain season 4 spoilers when the season starts.

Yes, there are other alternatives too, such as illegal 'torrents'. We do not recommend these because, apart from the moral issues, they usually involved registering email addresses, allowing cookies and other downloads of software that could be malicious.

When does Downton Abbey Season 4 start in the UK?

There is a tentative date of September 15, 2013. The official date has not been announced yet.

The series will air on January 5, 2014 on PBS in the United States. And we'll all be watching then, too!