SPOILER FOR SEASON 4 ‘Downton Abbey’ season 4 spoilers

spoilers: Shirley MacLaine to battle Maggie Smith again

For “Downton Abbey” season 3, much of the talk leading up to the show was all about the arrival of Shirley MacLaine in the role of Martha, and how she was poised to be a major rival to Maggie Smith’s character of Violet. However, we actually found this to be one of the bigger letdowns of 2012; while the legendary actress did a fantastic job in the role, we were expecting her to have so much more of a presence after she had been hyped up for such an extensive period of time.

Now, our expectations are set a little bit different for MacLaine’s return. ITV confirmed this weekend that Martha will indeed be a part of season 4, though it is unclear as to whether or not she will appear in more than just an episode.

READ MORE: http://cartermatt.com/51218/downton-abbey-season-4-spoilers-shirley-maclaine-to-battle-maggie-smith-again/

DOWNTON ABBEY: SEASON FOUR, EPISODE ONE Posted by John Kenney (THE NEW YORKER)

WORKING DRAFT
FADE IN:
EXT. DOWNTON—NIGHT.
CUT TO:
INT. DOWNTON—SAME.
The great house bustles in preparation for dinner. We see a quick montage of downstairs, as the staff prepares the courses.
CUT TO:
INT. KITCHEN—SAME.
Mrs. Patmore mixes a pudding as Daisy tends to a roast that’s just come out of the oven.
DAISY
Does this look done to you, Mrs. Patmore?
MRS. PATMORE
Why is it I have to do everything in this kitchen myself? (walking to Daisy) Here, let me see that knife?
As Daisy hands the knife to Mrs. Patmore, Daisy’s hand slips, stabbing Mrs. Patmore seven times in the neck, chest, and arms. Mrs. Patmore falls to the floor, pulling the roast and pan with her, bleeding profusely, dead, covered in red-bliss potatoes. Daisy, horrified at the accident, backs up and slips on the roast, falling, and hitting her head on the open cast-iron stove door. She, too, is dead.
Enter Mrs. Hughes.
MRS. HUGHES
This is no time to be lollygagging around, Mrs. Patmore.
A beat as Mrs. Hughes realizes.
MRS. HUGHES (cont.)
Oh, dear.
Enter Jimmy, in a huff, followed by Thomas, red-faced, followed by Alfred, confused.
JIMMY (to Mrs. Hughes)
He touched my bottom again.
THOMAS
My hand slipped as I was reaching for something.
ALFRED
Yeah, his bottom.
MRS. HUGHES
There’ll be no more talk of bottoms or touching in this house.
THOMAS
Mister Carson won’t be too happy about having a lie down now, Daisy.
A beat.
THOMAS (cont.)
Daisy?
MRS. HUGHES
I’m afraid they’re dead.
JIMMY
Crikey!
ALFRED
But I was going to ask her to Badger Counting Day in the village tomorrow.
MRS. HUGHES (heavy sigh)
There’ll be no more badger counting for these two I’m afraid.
THOMAS
What are we going to do about the roast? Mister Carson’s waiting.
MRS. HUGHES
Jimmy, help get that roast and those little potatoes on a charger and get them to the dining room. Alfred, move the bodies outside. Thomas, stop touching Jimmy. Heavens. Am I the only one who realizes we have a dinner to serve?
All scramble as we
CUT TO:
LORD GRANTHAM’S ROOM—SAME TIME.
Mister Bates dresses Lord Grantham for dinner. After a time…
LORD GRANTHAM
You’re awfully quiet tonight, Bates.
BATES
Forgive me, my Lord. I’ve no right to be. I shall turn in my resignation now if I’ve displeased you.
LORD GRANTHAM
What seems to be the matter, old chap?
BATES
It’s Anna, m’Lord.
LORD GRANTHAM
Nothing serious, I hope.
BATES
She’s dead, m’Lord.
LORD GRANTHAM
It can’t be.
BATES
I’m afraid it’s true. Hit by a lorry in the village this morning. Dragged a great distance. I’d asked her to post a letter from me to her.
LORD GRANTHAM
My dear, dear man. A senseless tragedy. And a seemingly senseless errand.


Read more: http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/shouts/2013/02/a-working-draft-for-the-first-episode-of-downton-abbey-season-4.html#ixzz2MQPHeuWT

DOWNTON ABBEY: First images of Downton Abbey series four focus on Matthew Crawley’s memorial ((METRO) By Caroline Westbrook

Dame Maggie Smith is among those Downton characters who was spotted filming scenes of Matthew Crawley’s funeral (Picture: Rex Features)

The first photos have emerged from the fourth series of Downton Abbey, offering a sneak preview of key characters as they attend Matthew Crawley’s memorial.

Dame Maggie Smith, Joanne Froggatt and Brendan Coyle are among those seen in the snaps as they gather at Matthew’s graveside – with another shot showing his headstone, where he is described as a ‘loving husband and father’.

And the photos would suggest that Matthew – who was killed off in a shocking car accident during the Christmas special – will be buried next to Lady Mary’s sister Sybil, who also made a shock exit last series when she died soon after giving birth.

The much-loved character – played by Dan Stevens – met his maker after the actor quit the show, crashing his car just moments after meeting his newborn son for the first time.

Despite a huge backlash from viewers, creator Julian Fellowes defended the storyline, saying he was left with no choice but to kill the character due to Stevens’ decision to quit the show.


‘We always tried to persuade him to stay. He had done fantastically well for the series and his creation of Matthew was terrific,’ Fellowes said.

‘But this is life. Dan felt that this was right thing for him, and the right moment to move on to different areas.’

READ MORE: http://metro.co.uk/2013/03/01/first-images-of-downton-abbey-series-four-focus-on-matthew-crawleys-memorial-3522178/