The sixth and final season of the British period drama TV series “Downton Abbey” is to premiere on September 20 on ITV in the United Kingdom and less than two weeks ahead of its airing, avid fans of the show can hardly get hold of themselves for the excitement.
It also heightened fan excitement on the upcoming final season of the show when producers released brand new photos from “Downton Abbey” Season 6.
A total of 13 still photos were released on September 10 which gave fans more reasons to be excited as well as a glimpse of the drama that will come on Season 6 of the popular and well-loved TV series, notes People.
The outlet also described the teaser photos as featuring new faces, hunting, dancing, and plenty of anguished looks.
During the Television Critics Association press tour held last month in Beverly Hills, California, Laura Carmichael, who plays the role of Lady Edith Crawley in “Downton Abbey” said that she and the rest of the cast felt strange saying goodbye to the castle.
She added that for a split second, she and the rest of the cast members felt that it was no longer their home anymore. Not that it became their home really but it did feel like it was in the course of the TV series for six years.
Carmichael also disclosed that as soon as the director said cut on the last day of the filming, they all realized that it was just pretend and that it was an emotional moment for all of them because they did not want to leave at all.
A challenging role
Actor Robert James Collier, who plays the gay butler Thomas Barrowman in “Downton Abbey” since 2010 says that he is humbled by the positive responses and praises being thrown for his portrayal by fans and critics.
He, however, disclosed that sixth and final season of the TV series will be the most testing and challenging for the downstairs employee of Downton Abbey as he comes to terms with his own sexuality, cites the International Business Times of UK.
For the past five seasons, viewers have seen Barrowman attempting to hide the truth about his sexuality while working for the Crawley family.
While some already know his secret, there is a reason why Barrowman continues to hide his true identity, and it has something to do with the two-sided nature of his character.
In a recent encounter with the UK press, Collier disclosed that the Season 6 of the show has dealt with Thomas’ sexuality. He always appeared to be happy, but fans found out in Season 5 that he was not happy at all. The character tried to resolve it last year by resorting to injection, but it was not the cure.
Collier said that Thomas has to reconcile who he is with himself, whether good or bad, and that is what viewers will come to see in the character in the final season of “Downton Abbey.”
Trailer also bids adieu
The official trailer of Season 6 of “Downton Abbey” has been released last month and it is clear that the TV show is bidding its viewers goodbye.
The trailer was actually scored by Andrea Bocelli’s wail inducing “Time to Say Goodbye” and it leaves fans no doubts about the series’ last. The 60-second video clip goes all out on closure and adds some extra melodramatic moments from some of the show’s familiar characters.
It featured emotional scenes featuring Mr. Carson, Robert Crawley, Lady Edith, Anna Bates, Lady Mary, and the Dowager Countess, along with Lauren Aquilina’s cover of “Time to Say Goodbye.” It showed Mr. Carson, played by Jim Carter, packing up a suitcase. While it is unsure whether he will be leaving Downton or simply moving into a new house, it was evident that he was sad.