'Downton Abbey' Creator Says Killing Matthew Was 'Inevitable' [VIDEO]: How The Cast Feels About Season 4 And Their Characters' Uncertain Fates

Fans of "Downton Abbey" may still be reeling from the sudden death of Matthew, played by Dan Stevens, but show creator Julian Fellowes and executive producer Gareth Neame affirm killing off the character was the only way to say goodbye.

"I think it's inevitable...the Mary-Matthew relationship is an iconic relationship," said Neame during a Hollywood Reporter interview. "We were all agreed that the only way we could break Mary and Matthew apart was for one to die. There really was no alternative."

"We couldn't have three years of them being in love and suddenly him taking against her and nipping off to Japan. That wasn't a workable scenario," added Fellowes.

"The other thing is a lot of people who are not in television or film didn't understand that this wasn't our choice. [Dan leaving] was Dan's choice."

With season 4 currently in production, the cast seemingly has properly moved on to continue their work.

"There is something just absolutely extraordinary about the discipline and commitment of this group of actors," Elizabeth McGovern, who plays Cora Crawley, chimed in.

"Every day I'm in awe of it. They work so hard, they're so prepared."

And how do the actors feel about their characters' uncertain fates?

"I only want to know if I'm alive at the end of the series, basically," teased Rob James-Collier, who plays footman Thomas Barrow.

"The servants don't die. It's only the family who dies," joked Fellowes.

"They just go somewhere else, don't they?"

Watch the entire interview below: