'Downton Abbey' Season 4 News [SPOILERS]: New Actors Join Cast For 'Best Series' Yet, But Will Maggie Smith's Dowager Countess Die?

BBC's hit series "Downton Abbey" is well underway with production for season four, and the spoilers keep rolling in with several additions to the cast, which has some fans worried about the fate of a certain one-liner Dowager Countess.

The biggest addition to the cast this year has to be American actor Paul Giamatti, who will play the brother of Cora (Elizabeth McGovern) and son of Martha Levinson (Shirley McLaine), Harold.

As yet another addition to the increasingly American cast, executive producer Gareth Neame promises the "free-spirited" uncle will "upset the Granthams' apple cart," reports Coolum News.

Joining Giamatti is Gary Carr, who will play the series' first black cast member. Carr will play Jack Ross, a jazz singer that signals the show's move into the roaring 20's.

But who will mend Lady Mary's broken heart after the death of Matthew? Speculations point to Charles Blake, a new dashing aristocratic character to be played by Julian Ovenden.

According to The Telegraph, Ovenden also has a singing background, like many of the new cast additions. Will he sing his way into Mary's heart, or will it be too soon?

Regardless, Brendan Coyle, who plays trusty Mr. Bates on "Downton Abbey," believes that "series four is phenomenal."

"I'm going to stick my neck out and say this is our best series," the actor tells Radio Times.

"Series four is absolutely phenomenal. It's a riot. Instead of cutting back and cutting back and saying 'we have a success now' the producers want to expand."

But what of the fan favorite Dowager Countess, played by Maggie Smith?

Despite rumors that the actress won't return for season four, the 79-year-old veteran has been spotted filming on location last month, looking as chipper as ever.

But Smith is not ruling out a gravely exit for the character, especially given the character's age.

"She's gotta drop down dead at some point," admits the actress.

"Because [she] must be about 110, logically, in the thing. So I don't know what's going to happen."