'Downton Abbey' Season 3 SPOILERS, Episode 6, Bates' Future Revealed!

The Primetime Emmy award-winning masterpiece "Downton Abbey" has continued to garner the attention of millions of viewers worldwide. Currently in its third season, the program's U.K. network has now released details on the series' sixth episode. The future installment is set to feature some major implications for the characters Branson and Bates.

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Set to hit the air in the United Kingdom on Sunday, Oct. 21, the following information on the newest episode was released by ITV:

"Tempers fray as Isobel's kind gesture backfires ... Branson's decisions are put under scrutiny, but Mary fights his corner ... Robert and Cora's relationship suffers, can Violet make them see things differently? ... As Bates's chance of freedom slips away he goes to extreme lengths."

Judging from the description, it appears that Bates is still behind bars for the apparent killing of his estranged wife. However, that isn't much of a shock, as it would be far-fetched to think that he'd be back on the streets in a span of one episode. Severally criticized over a slew of the decisions he has made, Branson will clearly continue to be no stranger to controversy as well.

In other "Downton Abbey" news, creator Julian Fellowes announced on Sept. 27 that there currently is a prequel in the works that will reportedly document the Robert and Cora love story.

Fellowes spoke to Daily Mail about his latest "Downton" concept, saying, "I do have an idea of doing a prequel of the courtship between Robert and Cora.  It is a fascinating time when the Buccaneers were coming to England and marrying [aristocrats]."

Fellowes also stated that he has a storyline in mind for both stage and film adaptations of the concept. However, he said he'd be waiting until the television show was completely wrapped.

Taking place in the fictional Yorkshire country estate of Downton Abbey, the series chronicles the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family during the post-Edwardian era and revolves around historic events that took place during that respective time period. "Downton Abbey" is slated to premiere its newest season in the United States in January 2013.