These are stories about a family, and stories about its servants. Indeed, as a piece of TV craft, Downton Abbey really does seem to have turned the clock back: this new series much more closely – and welcomely – resembles that glorious first season, which made itself instantly the most popular TV drama in Britain back in 2010. And, as this feature-length opening episode unfolds, there's no sign that we're in for a ride through four full years in one series – as happened with the First World War in series two.

It's now 1922, just six months after the car crash. But as the much-anticipated fourth series opens – following on from the departure of actor Dan Stevens, and the attendant death of his character, Matthew Crawley, at the end of the 2012 Christmas special – the breakneck pace of progress at Britain's favourite country house has at least slowed down.

Downton Abbey Season 4 Episode 1 Watch Free Video Onlineĭownton Abbey Season 4 Episode 1 Not even the highly inventive pen of Julian Fellowes can turn back time at Downton Abbey.

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