The popular British-American drama "Downton Abbey" is set to make its Season 3 premiere in the United States on the PBS network this Sunday, Jan. 6. However, while the show will most certainly rake in more than its fair share of viewers, many of those fans have inevitably stumbled across the many internet spoilers from those very same episodes that aired a few months back overseas.

The period masterpiece has always had its U.S. and British dates staggered, which is just how the PBS network chose to promote the highly acclaimed program from the time it started.

However, a lethal combination of social media and a slew of web spoiler alerts have made it almost seemingly impossible for most loyal viewers to remain in suspense.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the aristocratic series was initially averaging five million viewers per episode in its first season and then saw a substantial increase to seven million for its second installment.

While the show's numbers are still considered successful amid its premature leaking, Garth Neame, the managing director of series co-producer Carnival Films, feels as though the "Downton" ratings "would be higher still if the broadcast wasn't so delayed."

Minneapolis native Sierra Dadovich stated to the news source that she's watched every episode of "Downton Abbey" before its ever been broadcasted on the PBS network.

"The episodes are right there, easily found online. Am I really supposed to wait around a few months to see them?"

Taking place in the fictional Yorkshire country estate of Downton Abbey, the series chronicles the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family during the post-Edwardian era and revolves around historic events that took place during that respective time period.

"Downton Abbey" had found a vast amount of success on a large scale, receiving 16 nominations at the Emmy Awards this year and its rights have sold in over 100 countries.

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Downton abbey, Television