Downton Abbey has become quite a hit for many people around the world, and the British hit continues to delight its fans. While the show originally airs in the U.K., it has become very popular in the United States as well.

Unfortunately for Americans however, the U.K. has already been able to see what happens in the fourth season, while America has been wating in anticipation. Downton Abbey is highly praised by fans and critics all over, and boasts a very entertaining cast including Maggie Smith as the most well-known, as well as Hugh Bonneville, Laura Carmichael and several others in the highly praised show with a large ensemble cast.

For those that are not familiar with the show’s Christmas special, they have done one each season, and every time it includes a two-hour episode that caps off the season with some of the biggest and most jaw-dropping moments that fans experience throughout the season.

I actually cant wait for the Downton Abbey Christmas special. #loser

— sharon thomson (@shabba414) December 9, 2013

Super pumped about the next couple of months w/Christmas, new Doctor Who and Sherlock, the Hobbit, Downton Abbey…

— Ketti Johnson (@sherlocketti) December 9, 2013

Downton Abbey has become a show with several twists, surprises and deaths of characters, and there is no telling what will happen in any given episode. With just 16 days left until the much-anticipated Christmas special, it is important to take a look at where things were at the end of the third season.

When fans last saw the Crawley family, Mary was being chased by two suitors, Edith was contemplating a Swiss vacation to avoid revealing her illegitimate pregnancy. Rose was also complicating things with her romance involving the African American musician, Jack Ross. The trailer contains several spoilers for the new season too, just as a precaution before watching.

Confirmed: Downton Abbey Christmas special – Wednesday 25 December at 8.30pm on ITV #Downton pic.twitter.com/6RcloC1w0c

— ITV Press Centre (@itvpresscentre) December 3, 2013

According to the new trailer, the Christmas special of Downton Abbey will pick up in London, where the family and servants are at Grantham House in preparation for Rose’s introduction into society. Those unfamiliar with the series will also be able to recognize a couple of familiar faces in the trailer, including film stars Shirley MacLaine and Paul Giamatti.

Downton Abbey‘s Christmas special will air on December 25th on UK’s ITV. American fans can also get excited because season 4 will begin airing in the U.S. on Masterpiece PBS beginning Jan. 5, 2014.

As we wait patiently for the Christmas special of #Downton Abbey, what presents do you need to buy in preparation for the big day?

— Downton Abbey (@DowntonAbbey) December 9, 2013

Image via Youtube