Although there isn't much to report lately in terms of the Downton Abbey season four, there are indeed some updates that have managed to circulate the Internet.

In terms of its principal characters, the show will should present audiences with a different feel with the recent departures of Dan Stevens (Matthew Crawley), Jessica Brown Findlay (Lady Sybil), and Siobhan Finneran (Sarah O'Brien), who each voluntarily opted out of Downton in order to broaden their acting horizons.

However, the popular program will see some the addition of some new faces as well, as Tom Cullen (Lord Gillingham) is set to come aboard to play Mary's new love interest moving forward.

He recently took to Twitter to say that it's "an honour to be a part of such a great show."

Actress Lily James (Rose), who will now have a meatier role as a series regular, recently tweeted a photo to her followers, and it seems she's enjoying her time off at the beach.

In other Downton news, Joanne Froggatt (Anna Bates) recently sat down with BANG Showbiz to dish on the progress that the cast and crew is currently making on the upcoming season's production.

"We've just started filming the fourth season. We've been filming for about a month so we've got a long way to go," she said.

Froggatt was also adamant about the strength of the series' writing, adding that a few surprises will be coming as well.

"I'm really excited about it. I think this year, the scripts are really, really fantastic. I think it's upped its game again. There's certainly quite a few surprises this year. Hopefully people will love it!!

Brendan Coyle (Mr.Bates), who plays Froggatt's onscreen love interest, recently conducting an interview of his own with Red Carpet News, and is confident that Downton will still be a TV hit, despite the departures of Stevens and Findlay.

"[The cast] is a rolling thing, and we miss everyone [who has left] ... [When it comes to the new season] I can't give any spoilers. It's amazing how much it fluctuates. It's a phenomenal thing, and I think it is the best series yet," Coyle said.

Downton Abbey is slated to make its return in September of 2013. More information on the upcoming season will be posted as it comes out.

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