Allen Leech's Tom Branson and Lily James' Lady Rose are not included in the group photo, sparking speculation that they will not return for the final season.
- Aug 14, 2015
AceShowbiz - "Downton Abbey" fans were supposed to be glad with the release of first photos from the upcoming season 6. However, the cast picture that features the Crawley clan sparks frenzy over the absence of some characters.
Allen Leech's Tom Branson and Lily James' Lady Rose are not seen among their family, causing fans to worry that they will not return for the final installment. "WHERE IS TOM BRANSON? OH NO I'M GONNA CRY," one fan commented on the photo. Another tweeted, "@DowntonAbbey no Lady Rose? :("
Welcome to #Series6 of #Downton Abbey. pic.twitter.com/JOJ8Je9w10
— Downton Abbey (@DowntonAbbey) August 13, 2015Those who watched the 2014 Christmas special may recall that Branson and Rose had plans to move to the United States. PBS' Masterpiece won't address whether or not Leech and James will return for the sixth season, but Leech has said that he would appear in at least one scene of the upcoming season.
The said photo aside, there are other images showing the returning faces, including the Dowager Countess of Grantham (Maggie Smith), Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery), Lady Edith (Laura Carmichael) and many more.
The sixth and final season of the British period drama will premiere in the U.S. January 3, 2016 on PBS. Back in March, executive producer Gareth Neame promised "a final season full of all the usual drama and intrigue, but with the added excitement of discovering how and where they all end up."
