The popular period drama, Downton Abbey, has regrettably come to a close, but fans need not fear. Julian Fellowes is developing a prequel series to the show, which is set in America, a few decades before the events of Downton Abbey.

He has implied that one of the characters from the original show may be starring in the new series as well.

Violet, the Countess of Grantham, who is played by Dame Maggie Smith, and is a fan favorite, may be returning to the American series, which will be called The Gilded Age,

According to Contact Music, Julian Fellowes told the Mail on Sunday that "The Gilded Age would be set among the high society families of New York in the late nineteenth century."

This means that if the character of Violet does return in the new series, she would likely be played by a younger actress.

Fellowes also stated that there may be appearances made by the characters Robert, the Earl of Grantham, and his wife, Cora, who was born in America.

Based on the time frame in which the series would be set, Robert would be a teenager, and Cora would still be a child.

Outside of the possible character reprisals, Fellowes is not saying much about anything else that has to do with the new show, as the details of it have not yet been finalized.

Robert Greenblatt, the President of NBC, says "...that he hopes that the new show would 'come to life sometime next season', potentially meaning a premiere as early as September this year...", says Contact Music.

This means that the show will begin around the same time that the final season of Downton Abbey will be airing in the United Kingdom.