Downton Abbey continues to garner speculation over its highly anticipated fourth season.

In the latest news on the popular British-American period piece, the show has officially cast its first recurring African-American character.

Actor Gary Carr has landed the role of "charming and charismatic" jazz musician named Jack Ross, according to Deadline. The 26-year-old is mostly known for his roles in the BBC series Bluestone 42 and Death In Paradise.

While complete details of Jack's dynamic with the Crawleys is still unknown at this point in time, Hollywood Life suspected that he'll have to deal with Rose (Lily James), who is known to frequent the jazz scene from time to time.

Season 4 of the hit TV series will be severally impacted by the departure of Dan Stevens (Matthew Crawley), whose character was killed off via car accident at the close of the third season. The now widowed Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) will now have to move forward as a single mother to a newborn son.

The ITV network gave the following description on Lady Mary's character development pressing forward:

"In the next series, alongside the usual drama, comedy and romance involving the much loved cast of characters, viewers will see Mary adjusting to her life and attempting to move on without the man she loved."

Downton Abbey is set to premiere its fourth season in the United States on Jan. 5, 2014, according to The Huffington Post.

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