Downtown Abbey Season 5 release date, spoilers, latest news: Main characters make it ‘til the end of the season, which airs in September 2014 in the UK and January 2015 in the US

By Kara Michelle Aug 28, 2014 07:36 AM EDT

Downtown Abbey Season 5 release date, spoilers, latest news: Main characters make it 'til the end of the season, which airs in September 2014 in the UK and January 2015 in the US

Downton Abbey Season 5 release date has been set for September 2014 in the UK and will be delayed by four months in the US, according to series network PBS.

Lesley Nichols, who plays Mrs. Patmore in Downton Abbey Season 5, assured fans that no major characters will be saying goodbye in the upcoming season.

In an interview, Nichols said, "There aren't any plans for any big characters to die this year."

"There has been such a big fuss in the past, especially with Matthew Crawley. I think it would be very unwise to do any more deaths because the viewers don't like them," she shared.

PBS has also released initial photos of Miss Sybil Branson, daughter of the late Lady Sybil and Tom Branson; and Master George Crawley, son of Lady Mary and the late Matthew Crawley and heir apparent to the Earldom.

The "Downton Abbey" season 5 trailer shows head of staff Mr. Carson discussing the changes are afoot.

"I feel a shaking of the ground I stand on. The nature of life is not permanence but flux. Things are changing," he said.