"I feel a shaking of the ground I stand on," says Carson, the family butler narrates in the 20-second sneak peek. "The nature of life is not permanence, but flux."
Based on these telling words, it is very much likely that major changes are coming to the genteel world of Downton and the entire Crawley family.
From where the show ended last season, we left newly-widowed Lady Mary Crawley (Michelle Dockery) dealing with two very persistent suitors. Her sister Edith , on the other hand, has had her own love life troubles as well.
Will the sisters finally find the love and peace that they have proven to be so elusive to them the past four seasons? Will the new members joining the cast have pivotal roles in these areas?
Masterpiece of PBS has announced new season five characters, which include Richard E. Grant (Gosford Park, Doctor Who) who will be playing Simon Bricker, a guest of the Granthams in Downton Abbey, Anne Chancellor (The Hour, Four Weddings and a Funeral), will be guest starring as Lady Anstruther, the woman, who Jimmy the footman used to work for, while Rade Sherbedgia (Eyes Wide Shut, 24), will play a Russian refugee.
Downton Abbey's Executive Producer Gareth Neame, expressed his delight at the new casting choices, "We are delighted to welcome these talented actors to the world of Downton. The characters they play are set to bring yet more excitement and intrigue to the show."
The show's key stars are all returning for this season. But speculations of a looming death are in the air, especially since the show abruptly killed off dashing Matthew Crawley who was newly-married to Lady Mary last season.
But actress Lesley Nicol, who plays the cook Mrs. Patmore, waved off these rumors. She told the Daily Star Sunday: "There aren't any plans for any big characters to die this year. There has been such a big fuss in the past, especially with Matthew Crawley. I think it would be very unwise to do any more deaths because the viewers don't like them."
Yet actors can suddenly choose to leave a show for one reason or another, as Dan Stevens did, leaving viewers to mourn Matthew. And the trailer is ominous enough, so viewers are adviced to hang tight in this new season of Downton Abbey, which airs September in the UK and January 2015 in the US.
