Although there's a long hiatus ahead until the British-American drama Downton Abbey returns to the PBS network in the U.S. with its fourth season next year in January, rumors continue to circulate surrounding its details.

Two of the series' standouts, Allen Leech (Tom Branson) and Laura Carmichael (Lady Edith) recently spoke to Red Carpet News about how the process leading up to its airing is going thus far.

Leech said that the cast and crew were a few weeks into production, although the filming is reported to begin in late March. He also addressed the death of Matthew Crawley (Dan Stevens) and how it would be a crucial part of the Season four storyline.

"I think Mary's journey is going to be pretty essential to it. She's trying to get over the death of her husband and that's a very central arc to it... Downton is in a period of change, as it always is, and that's pretty integral again to the family trying to cope with the changes that come with the '20s."

In regards to his part as Branson, the Irish actor spoke about what's to come for the character.

"There are a couple of things I can't really talk about. But yeah, definitely toward the middle of the series it gets very exciting."

Carmichael also elaborated and potentially hinted at a future filled with flappers and jazz, saying that Downton Abbey will be "moving on through the '20s, so it's more glamour and more like you'd expect."

The actress also spoke about her joy of playing Lady Edith and hopes for the evolution of the character.

"I'm having a great time, it's really interesting change for her. It sort of carries on being fascinating, I hope," she said.

Taking place in the fictional Yorkshire country estate of Downton Abbey, the popular series chronicles the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family after the Edwardian era and centers on historic events during that respective time period.

The show is set to return in the U.K. in the fall of 2013. Information on the upcoming season will be posted as it's revealed.

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Downton abbey, Television