Downton Abbey
“Downton Abbey” Seacon 4 premiere episode was viewed by 10.2 million people in the U.S. on Sunday ITV/ Downton Abbey screenshot

U.S. “Downton Abbey” fans still have a months-long wait ahead of them for season 4, but fortunately they can feast on the episode 1 synopsis.

The press release for the highly anticipated premiere comes courtesy of Spoiler TV. According to the site, the first episode will follow Cousin Matthew’s untimely death, and how the house is attempting to move forward.

“New mother Mary is struggling to come to terms with her loss,” teases the description. And while everyone in the house agrees that she must move on, Robert and Violet “disagree on how to bring her through it.”

But that’s not the only drama going on with the Crawley family. Downstairs in the house, Jimmy “finally takes an interest in Ivy.” Carson will get an unwelcome “reminder of his past,” while Mrs. Hughes will help “grief stricken Isobel.” The first episode will also find Thomas “up to his old tricks” … with the children’s new nanny is “in his sights.”

The premiere synopsis comes a couple weeks after ITV released a dramatic season 4 promo video. The video kicked off with the Dowager Countess telling a black-clad Lady Mary that she has a “straightforward choice” to make – choosing either life or death.

“Downton Abbey” will pick up six months after Matthew’s fatal car accident.” Season 4 will follow Mary as she struggles to bond with the baby, and move on from Mathew with the introduction of a few new love interests.

U.S. “Downton Abbey” viewers can catch the new season when it airs on Jan. 5. Watch the promo video below and let us know what you think about the episode 1 synopsis.

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