The hit British-American TV drama, Downton Abbey, continues to garner a massive amount of interest for its fourth season, which isn't set to hit the small screen until early 2014.

While the widowed Branson (Allen Leech) isn't exactly a household name, he'll apparently be moving on up in terms of a beefier role in the program moving forward.

Downton executive producer Gareth Neame recently spoke to TVLine on June 15, and stated that Leech's role will turn him into a "bigger and bigger character."

"He is almost Robert's right-hand man now. So he has a lot to do in the new season," the EP explained.

Downton Abbey, which airs in 219 countries across the world, follows both the ups and downs of the royal Crawley family and their staff in the 1920s, which the show is set to hone in on in Season 4.

The popular series is slated to kick off in the U.S. on Jan. 5, 2014, and run until February 23, 2014. Be sure to keep checking back for more of the latest details on the popular series.

For other Downton dirt related to the upcoming season, check out the video clip below.

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