Downton creator considers multicultural Abbey However before Lord Fellowes can start writing in new characters he will need to be commissioned for a fourth series. Downton Abbey is reportedly returning for a Christmas Special, but nothing has been set in stone for another full series, the creator said. I would hope [there will be more] because of the response to this series, but you know [ITV] are always pretty close to their chest in terms of an actual commission. But I think I'd be surprised if there was not a fourth series," he said. The writer said that he has been thrilled with the reception of the third series, which ended last night with the sacking of gay servant Thomas Barrow. The episode also saw the introduction of a major new character Lady Rose, suggesting that further installments could be planned. Lord Fellowes said that the third series, which is set in the 1920s, has been as rewarding as the first two. I am pleased with this series. I thought it worked well. I think it is an interesting time, that funny time after the Great War when people didn't quite know how much everything had gone back to the way it was before or how much it had changed. They were sort of feeling their way towards the realization at the end of the 20s that things had changed enormously. It is a funny sort of insecure period and it is not one that is much done. You have lots of stuff about the Edwardians and everyone sort of jumps forward to the 30s and the Nazis. So I was pleased we were allowed to be in that time. "It seems to me that the actors have made a very good job of it and the audience response has been great and they kept watching," he said. The writer said the programme has grown with each series. For me I felt the second [series] was more solid than the first because we knew who they all were. And now we are really involved with them and that takes you forward another step. I am pleased with all of them really. It sounds rather smug, but I have been very happy with them," he said. Lord Fellowes also dismissed reports that Dame Maggie Smith, who plays the Dowager Countess of Grantham, was unwell. Reports over the weekend suggested that Dame Maggie had suffered a heart scare. "She's absolutely fine and going out for lunch," he said.