Close to 8 million viewers tuned in for the season three U.S. debut of the British-American drama "Downton Abbey."

The PBS series' latest installment nearly doubled the 4 million people that watched its second season. To top it off, the most recent episode quadrupled the network's average primetime numbers.

"I'm thrilled to see so many viewers return to the Crawley family's delicious drama and intrigue," executive producer Rebecca Eaton said on Monday, according to Daily Mail.

According to Entertainment Weekly, the "Downton Abbey" opener was a "rich, dense fruitcake." Slate also gave kudos to actresses Maggie Smith and Shirley MacClaine, who are both 78. While the two talents swapped "zingers," most people agreed that the English dame got the best of her American character.

The new season of the show, which already finished airing in the U.K., will focus on the post-World War I era.

To add to the "Downton Abbey" drama, actor Rob James-Collier teased that more lies ahead for his Thomas character, as he delves into life as a homosexual male in Edwardian England. While doing an interview and photo spread, he spoke to Out magazine about the show's season and his gay role in the series. The 36-year-old said that the Edwardian's sexuality will be completely explored.

"It's the [season] where we really get to grips with Thomas's sexuality and the impact that must have had on him, being gay in Edwardian times," he said. "If you're including a gay character, there's an onus and responsibility to at least show what the impact of the time will be on him, and of him on that time. Thankfully we've done that, and I'm so proud as an actor that I've been used to tell that tale."

Season three, episode two of "Downton Abbey" will air in the U.S. on Sunday, Jan. 13, at 9 p.m. EST.

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Downton abbey, Television, Celebrities