USA / UK / TV CULTURE: Hit Show Downton Abbey Saves Crumbling Castle; Star Reveals No Return In Season 4.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2253200/How-ITVs-hit-saved-real-Downton-Abbey-Visitors-surge-funds-repairs-crumbling-stately-home.html

     Downton Abbey...a hit British TV show for 3 years on ITV...invaded the USA's airwaves and consciousness...finding massive success on PBS...but has also impacted the estate where it is filmed...helping the owners to fund over $15 million in necessary repairs to preserve the 1679-era castle.

      Highclere Castle in Berkshire has between 200-300 rooms...and often gets 1,200 paying visitors daily in the summer.
      And...despite a 'normal' male's resistance to soap operas...and especially British social class sagas...even this news blog's editor has become a fan of Downton Abbey. My telenovela-loving Cubana would be surprised.

    !!! NEW!!!  Actor Dan Stevens...who portrays Matthew Cawley...the young heir to the Downton estate...has just revealed that he will not return for Season 4 of the series.
    Season #3 resumes airing in the USA...on 06 January.
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/dan-stevens-talks-downton-abbey-406373