"Downton Abbey" has been renewed for a fourth season, British broadcaster ITV announced Friday. Though the show has yet to premiere its third season in the US (it bows on PBS on January 6, 2013), it just concluded its run in the UK with its highest-rated season to date, averaging over 12 million viewers for the Season 3 finale.

The fourth season will begin filming eight episodes, plus another Christmas special, in February 2013 for a fall premiere in the UK. Though PBS has yet to issue a statement on its plans for the fourth season, the show is expected to continue at the network.

According to Gareth Neame, executive producer of the series, “viewers can look forward to more drama, comedy, love, hatred, jealousy, rivalry, ambition, despair and romance" in the fourth season.

Before Season 4 premieres, UK viewers can still look forward to the show's Christmas special, which "sees Lord and Lady Grantham and family heading for a summer break in The Highlands of Scotland, leaving most of their servants back at home," according to ITV. The special will air as part of Season 3 on PBS in the US.

【娛樂快訊】雖然大熱英劇《唐頓莊園》第三季要到2013年1月6日才能在美國PBS電視臺播出，但是美國媒體日前報道，《唐頓莊園》已經成功續(xù)訂了第四季。據細節(jié)透露，第四季共8集+圣誕特輯，預計2013年2月開拍秋季播出。

《唐頓莊園》自播出以來好評如潮，第三季平均觀眾人數為970萬，創(chuàng)全劇歷史上新高（第一季840萬，第二季950萬）。另外該劇第三季的圣誕特輯（2小時）將于12月25日圣誕節(jié)當天播出。

而在演員方面，飾演“大表哥” 的演員Dan Stevens 遲遲未與劇組續(xù)約，近日更有消息稱他極有可能在出演第四季第一集后就告別該劇。在缺失重要角色后的第四季劇情將如何發(fā)展，劇迷們拭目以待。