Downton Abbey season 5 spoilers have told us that the new season of the PBS show will have an interesting and fantastic storyline for the Dowager Countess, played to perfection by Maggie Smith. We've also learned that several new characters are stepping into Downton including Russian refugees, a guest of the Crawleys (Gosford Park's Richard E. Grant as Simon Bricker) and an old boss of their servants. (Four Weddings and A Funeral's Anne Chancellor as Jimmy's former employer, Lady Anstruther).

We also found out that Lady Mary might be making a choice between her suitors soon, which might make a trip to the altar imminent, and we've breathed a sigh of relief when we learned from Lesley Nicol (Mrs. Patmore on the show) that no major characters will be killed in Downton Abbey season 5.

So it's been mostly good Downton Abbey season 5 spoilers that have been reported. But too bad for Lady Edith, as we've learned recently.

During a Downton Abbey press conference held at the Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles, the cast and crew of the beloved show shared bits of what's to come, and it is not looking good for Lady Edith.

Executive producer Gareth Neame reveals that more sadness is in store for Lady Edith's life. As if personal tragedies such as being constantly heartbroken, bearing a child out of wedlock and giving said child up were not enough, Laura Carmichael's character has more heartache to come.

According to Carmichael, Lady Edith's sister Mary will be as mean to her as ever. Michelle Dockery, who plays Lady Mary, confirms this: "Mary's mean to Edith especially in this season," Dockery went on. "Me and Laura love it when they're mean to each other, it's more fun to do."

She adds, "Mary doesn't know Edith has a daughter. So Edith certainly won't get any sympathy from her unknowing sister."

Downton Abbey Season 5 will premiere in the U.S. on January 4.