ITV, the British broadcaster behind Downton Abbey, renewed the acclaimed period drama for a sixth season.
If you are a U.S. fan and wondering what happened to season five, don’t worry. It hasn’t aired on PBS just yet. Since PBS has enjoyed ratings successes with the show starting in the winter, season five won’t premiere in the U.S. until Jan. 4.
As for the U.K., the show is about to wrap up its fifth season on ITV, with the season finale airing on Nov. 9. A Christmas special is also scheduled.
According to ITV, the show has averaged 10.4 million viewers in the U.K. In the U.S., the season four premiere drew over 10 million viewers.
“We have had an amazing reaction to the story lines, acting and production values of Downton Abbey this year and the whole team is thrilled to be moving ahead with a new season of the show,” Gareth Neame, the managing director of show producer Carnival Films, said in a statement. “This will provide audiences with a fresh opportunity to see what will befall our much loved characters.”
Abbey was created by Julian Fellowes and stars Hugh Bonneville, Phyllis Logan, Elizabeth McGovern, Maggie Smith and Michelle Dockery.
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