The details on the fourth season of the hit British-American drama, Downton Abbey, have begun to surface quite rapidly, as its first episode was recently aired in the U.K.

According to Zap2it, the opening installment hones in on the concept of family. Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery), who's currently in the grieving stages after losing her hubby Matthew (Dan Stevens), reportedly comes across in season 4 as sad and mean.

Mary is said to be so much in her own emotional misery that she rarely leaves her bedroom or seldomly gives her baby boy any attention. Cousin Isobel is also grief-stricken, but Branson and Mrs. Hughes find the two things to take their focus off the pain, even encouraging them to "re-join the land of the living," stated the site.

The pivotal episode comes to a close with the intermediate family and servants looking out for each other.

Downton Abbey kicked off its fourth season in the U.K. on Sunday, Sept. 22. Its U.S. launch will happen 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.

More on Lady Mary's "living hell" in season 4