As the premiere date of British period drama, "Downton Abbey" season 6 approaches, fans of the show are emotional. After all, the past six years have been coloured by memories of the Crawley family and their life in the English estate.
Nevertheless, showrunner Julian Fellowes said that the theme for this season is resolution. And the estate's walls will bear witness to a great deal of kiss and make up scenes between Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) and sister Edith (Laura Carmichael); Anna (Joanne Froggott) and Bates (Brendan Coyle); Mr. Carson (Jim Carter) and Mrs. Hughes (Phyllis Logan) and maybe the Dowager (Maggie Smith) and Isobel Crawley (Penelope Wilton) will become besties again.
But it feels like there will be a sad narrative amidst a happy plot. A recent report suggests that Thomas Barrow, the under butler at Downton may not survive the season.
"Well, Julian [Fellowes, Downton creator] said to me at the read-through, 'I hope you're prepared to be the tragic hero', so that could mean anything, couldn't it? Am I going to die? I don't know," The Telegraph quoted Rob James-Collier, the actor who plays the role of Mr. Barrow, as saying.
Mr Barrow, the homosexual under butler at Downton is forced to keep his sexuality a secret, as it was illegal in Britain at the time. Mr.Barrow, an ambitious, sly, and ultimately naïve and conflicted character, goes through a tumultuous journey in the six seasons of "Downton Abbey".
James-Collier said of his character, "Listen, I don't have any - and never had any - expectations for Thomas. He's been one of the more complex characters so he's always had these tremendous rollercoaster rides. It's all or nothing with Thomas and this season it very much continues in that vein, so I'm happy."
Season 6 of "Downton Abbey" will depict the decay of British aristocratic life in the 1920s, and will mark the Crawley family's last few months in their country estate.
"Downton Abbey" Season 6 will be premiered on 20 September at 9pm on ITV.
You can watch the trailer for season 6 here:
