Maggie Smith as Dowager Countess of Grantham
'Downton Abbey's Christmas special will feature a love triangle.
The two-hour episode of the ITV hit drama will see the Dowager Countess of Grantham (played by Maggie Smith) get caught up in a love struggle with an old flame and his estranged wife.
Viewers of the last series saw Prince Kuragin (Rade Serbedziga) arrive back into the Countess' life again, after a fling when they were young.
The Prince fled to England after the Russian Revolution where he revealed that his wife, Princess Irina (Jane Lapotaire) was missing.
So the royal is more than shocked when the missing Princess turns up at Downton after the Countess tracks her down.
A source revealed: "Kuragin isn't best pleased to see his wife back on the scene. He only has eyes for Violet."
Meanwhile, the special episode will also see the departure of a much-loved character and whilst the cast are remaining quiet on who it may be, a source has admitted that it will be "emotional".
The insider added to the Daily Star newspaper: "It's very emotional. Get a hanky ready."
The Christmas special was filmed in two locations - the "downstairs" staff remained at Downton, whilst the "upstairs" stars took a trip to Alnwick Castle in Northumberland, the same set used for the 'Harry Potter' films.
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