Come war and peace, Downton still stands and the Crawleys are still in it for another season!!!  Hooray!!

Just as season four of Downton Abbey is ending, ITV announced that Downton Abbey will be picked up for a fifth season.  Julian Fellowes will return to write the series, which is expected to air next year.

“We promise all the usual highs and lows, romance, drama and comedy,” said Gareth Neame, director of Downton Abbey creators Carnival Films.

It shouldn’t come as a complete shock though.  The latest series has had average viewing figures of 11.8 million.  And 12.3 million Americans tuned in to the finale of season three making it the highest-rated show of the day, and breaking the viewership record for broadcaster PBS.  With numbers like that, the producers would be crazy not to continue Downton Abbey for at least one more season.

I, for one, will go out on a limb and state with no hesitation that I will be watching season five of my beloved Downton Abbey.   Will you do the same?