The original cast on the popular British television drama "Downton Abbey" keeps getting smaller and smaller. On Friday, March 1 People.com reported that Siobhan Finneran would not return for season four, after appearing as a major character in the earlier seasons. Finneran portrayed Sarah O'Brien, a lady's maid who everybody loves to hate.
O'Brien is known for making trouble at Downton for the family. O'Brien has a history of scheming with fellow servant and footman Thomas Barrow. The two were chummy until season three, when O'Brien betrayed Barrow for another footman. Her employer, Lady Grantham, suffered a miscarriage in season one after O'Brien believed she was losing the job as lady's maid.
Finneran is the third series regular to leave the hit show, although the actress is choosing to leave and the character was not killed off. Viewers have already witnessed the loss of two other major characters: Matthew Crawley and Sybil Branson. Sybil, the youngest Crawley daughter, died giving birth to a daughter in early season three. Matthew's death was the surprising end to the third series, as the new father perished instantly in a car accident while driving to Downton Abbey to announce the birth of a son.
"Downton Abbey" airs on PBS in the United States at 9 p.m on Sunday nights. The third season recently concluded with season four yet to enter production. Finneran is the only actress to portray O'Brien and her character was seen trying to obtain a job with another family in the third season finale.
