A new mystery for fans of Downton Abbey

THE cast of Downton Abbey stepped out yesterday in all their finery sparking speculation of a wedding or a ­Christening in the Crawley family. Show bosses are keeping the plot under wraps in what could be the biggest story line yet of the Golden Globe-winning hit ITV1 period drama. These pictures, with the stars on location at St Mary the Virgin Parish Church, Bampton, Oxfordshire, show some good news being celebrated at the start of the third series, which went into production a week ago. More than 8.9 million fans tuned in for the final ­episode of the last series. The two-hour Christmas special ended when Matthew Crawley (Dan Stevens), proposed to Lady Mary ­Crawley, actress Michelle Dockery. To increase the anticipation these pictures reveal the couple driving a blue Sunbeam Talbot. Could the photograph be them after their ­aristocratic reception? Other pictures show the cast in wedding hats, including maid Anna Smith (Joanne Froggatt) and the Countess of Grantham (Elizabeth McGovern). Or it could be a Christening to rebel Lady Sybil Crawley (­Jessica Brown-Findlay) and chauffeur Branson’s (Allen Leech) baby? Lady Edith Crawley (Laura Carmichael) is also seen in a pale blue suit and smiling. Is it because love interest Sir Anthony Strallan (Robert Bathurst) is back? Fans will have to wait until September to find out...