Production on Season 4 of the popular British-American television drama "Downton Abbey" is scheduled to launch in February 2013. Although a majority of the original cast will continue on for the upcoming installment, it was recently revealed that Dan Stevens (Matthew Crawley) wouldn't be on the popular program much longer.

A close source to the The Sunday Express previously said that "Dan Stevens isn't returning to the series. He will probably do the first episode of the fourth series, but that will be it."

In lieu of the news, many of the show's fans have been wondering whether or not another actor would be casted to fill the shoes of the Matthew character.

"Downton Abbey" Creator Julian Fellowes recently answered the highly anticipated question by stating the following to the U.K.'s Telegraph:

"I don't think it's ever going to be right to recast a different actor for the same character in Downton. You can do it with something like Sherlock Holmes and Watson, as they are very established and iconic, and many people have played them, so you have a kind of freedom. But, in a series like Downton, it wouldn't be right."

Fellowes, who clearly wants to maximize the realness behind his series' characters, also said that such a move would compromise the show's legitimacy.

"You want viewers to think that it is kind of real, and changing actor would be like saying, 'Hey guys, it is not real at all', and lose the show some of its authenticity," he added.

Next up for the series will be its two-hour Christmas special, which was filmed in August. The holiday piece is set to air in the U.K. on Christmas Day.

The show's third season is set to premiere in the U.S. on the PBS network on Jan. 6.

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Downton abbey, Television, Celebrities