Downton Abbey season 4 will be coming out in the U.K. this weekend, and pick up six months after Matthew Crawley's (Dan Stevens) death to close out the third installment.

Creator Julian Fellowes recently spoke to Zap2it about the program's rationale behind the upcoming time jump, which will allow audiences to fast forward to a point in time where Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) will attempt to rebuild her life.

"It seemed to be much more interesting to, if you like, jump forward to Mary beginning to reconstruct her life. And by leaving it six months, we could start with her at her lowest ebb, but at the beginning of the period when it sort of becomes time for you to start getting out and about again, starting to make things happen once more," he explained.

Executive producer Gareth Neame also elaborated on the respective storyline approach, which will feature the widowed Mary in the midst of some heavy grieving.

"At the beginning of Season 4, Mary is in a living hell. She really doesn't believe she'll ever meet someone again. She's really keeping the memory of Matthew alive. ... But as the season progresses, she is a beautiful, eligible young widow and there is going to be mad interest," he said.

Butler Carson To Become More of A 'Surrogate Father' To Lady Mary?

Downton Abbey will be kicking off its fourth season in the U.K. this Sunday, Sept. 22 and in the U.S. on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2014. For more of the latest info on the popular TV series, be sure to keep checking back with Enstars. A video trailer for season 4 can be watched below.

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