Autumn always heralds the beginning of a new season of Downton Abbey. However, as the series comes to an end with season 6, we will have to make do with reruns of the show. The producers have hinted at the possibility of a movie and perhaps that's just what we need. For now, we could direct our Downton addiction to the promo photos of season 6.

The many pictures that emerged on social media hint at a plot that revolves around fewer characters. (Tom Branson's conspicuous absence cannot be missed.) Nevertheless, Executive producer Gareth Neame told Variety that season 6 will depict the end of aristocracy in a post-World War Britain.

Furthermore, Hugh Bonvile who plays the Earl of Grantham, has also hinted that the Crawley family will confront a new landscape in which their lives will alter. "Robert, the dinosaur that he has been all this time, does adapt. He wants to conserve the best of the past but absolutely understands that the future beckons," he told Mirror.

The future, or the death of aristocracy, is hinted throughout season 5. For Lord Grantham, the future seems immediate and real when he goes to country to find people selling their silver to make ends meet.

At this juncture, we can safely assume that the Downton staff will be relieved from their duties.

This is not such a bad thing, given that most of the staff at Downton have already made alternate plans to secure their future.

Carson and Mrs Hughes have a cottage, Daisy could help her father-in-law and Mrs Patmore has her inheritance. But it would be heartbreaking to see Molsely and Thomas Barrow leave the premises. Both of their lives have been tragic when they've left service.

In the trailer for season 6 shown to critics, Lord Gratham tells Carson that the staff will shrink. While Carson protests, Robert, the Earl of Grantham says, ""I don't like to feel out of step with my fellow man. Who has an under butler these days?" reported Mirror.

The period drama's retelling of the socio-economic and cultural life of Britain in the 1920s is quite accurate. Historians have documented the decline of the service industry and the migration towards cities. Nevertheless, it would be interesting to see where the Downton staff head to.

In any case, we think that the staff will receive their redundancy notices towards the end of the season. After all, this season's main theme signifies the end of an era.

"Downton Abbey" season 6 will premiere this fall in UK and will be released in January 2016 in US.

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