Downton Abbey's upcoming fourth season will feature a widowed Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) as she tries to continue on with her life following the death of her husband Matthew Crawley (Dan Stevens).

Mary, who has been through her share of drama in the past, will clearly be facing her toughest mental challenges yet.  She'll even have to find the courage, strength and hope to care for her baby son in the process.

Dockery recently spoke to the Los Angeles Times about what the future for Mary lies, as well as the character's resiliency.

"I haven't a clue. And that's what's brilliant about the show.  Julian writes as he goes along, and the story develops from each set of rushes he watches.  The thing about Mary is that she's incredibly strong and has already been through the whole scandal with Pamuk and Richard Carlisle," she said.

"She's really been through the mill. And what's wonderful to play is the whole British, stiff-upper-lip thing.  You keep calm and carry on.  She's not weak. She's a survivor. So she will come through it," Dockery added.

 Downton Abbey, which airs in 219 countries across the world, follows the ups and downs of the royal Crawley family and their staff in the 1920s.

The series is set to premiere its fourth season in the U.S. on Jan. 5, 2014, according to The Huffington Post.

Keep checking back for more of the latest details on the popular series.

Tags: Downtown Abbey television PBS