There is a good chance that Anna will continue with her struggles after her shocking sexual assault when Downton Abbey returns.

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On Thursday, Joanne Froggatt who plays Anna, spoke to Gold Derby on what her character has had to deal with in the past season where she mentioned which episode she would submit to the panelists to earn an Emmy nomination.

"I'm not sure really, I haven't really thought that far ahead," the actress said. "I think, you know, obviously episode three, very dramatic when the attack happens, but also I think possibly the more interesting part of the story's episode four or five when Anna's struggling to come to terms with what's happening to her and she can't express herself to Mr. Bates and that's their whole emotional journey."

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Froggatt then pointed out that the aftermath of the incident is what series creator Julian Fellowes wanted to pay attention to.

"I feel that's the part of this situation that Julian wanted to focus on, what happens after some things," she said.

The actress also revealed that her character may have her decent moments next season, but she's still going to have some challenges coming her way.

"We start Season 5 with Anna Bates in a slightly more positive place," Froggatt said. "The season finale was a year on from the attack. Time has moved forward...but there is still this shadow hanging over them, so they still have more hurdles to cross, unfortunately."

Downton Abbey Season 5 is expected to premiere in Janaury 2015 on PBS.

Check out more of Froggatt's interview below.

Tags: downton abbey television PBS