Dame Maggie Smith & Dan Stevens to quit Downton Abbey?

The ITV bosses are in a panic about series four of the hit show

The future of the wonderful Downton Abbey is looking worrying after it's been revealed that neither Dame Maggie Smith or Dan Stevens have yet to sign up to series four.

Key cast members including Hugh Bonneville, who plays the Earl of Grantham, and Michelle Dockery, who takes on the role of Lady Mary, have reportedly already signed up for series four and five.

But, according to respected website TV Line, Dame Maggie Smith (Dowager Countess of Downton) and Dan Stevens (cousin Matthew Crawley) have yet to put pen to paper.

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A source said: 'Downton Abbey has a history of major surprises, and the producers are not opposed to changing casting within the show to add to the drama.

'But it’s hard to imagine the series without Maggie Smith or Dan Stevens involved in some way.

'To write the Dowager Countess out of the series, or even kill off the character, would be Downton’s boldest storyline yet.'

As well as Smith and Stevens, Siobhan Finneran who plays housekeeper Miss O’Brien and Jessica Brown Findlay, who stars as Lady Sybil Crawley are also deciding whether to return for another series.

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Season three of Downton Abbey is currently being filmed and will be air in the autumn.

What do you think? Would you like to see a fourth and fifth series of Downton? Would you watch it if Dame Maggie and Dan Stevens weren't in it? Let us know in the comment box below...

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