‘Downton Abbey’ cast gives preview of Season 3

>>> back now at 8:36 and the emmy award winning series "downtown abbey," broadcast in 100 countries. for season three, masterpiece on pbs, shirley maclaine is joining the cast, sure to add some drama.

>> are you really telling me that all the money is gone?

>> i'm afraid so.

>> the lion's share of cora's fortune? i won't give in, murray. i've sacrificed too much to downtown to give in now.

>> we have some of the "downtown abbey" cast with us. hugh bonneville , michelle dockery , rob james collier. good to see all of you. we can do this the easy way or the hard way. you have so many fans in this country. this is a season that promises to be an emotional roller coaster . right, hugh?

>> that's right. it kicks off with the discovery that robert has made a catastrophic financial investment. we may have to move house. for sale sign is going up and there's an open house .

>> don't tell me you're moving into a condo complex.

>> it's look iing that way. it's looking that way. there's a huge roller coaster to come.

>> elizabeth, as we mentioned, shirley maclaine is joining the cast. that's got to add a bit of drama. how did she add to the chemistry you all clearly have already?

>> she brings a lot of pizazz that you would expect from shirley. she doesn't even have to do much, just there. she also really presents a different culture, which is america coming in to "downtown abbey." we see her knock against maggie as a sort of -- the english culture and interesting things spark from that.

>> everybody is hoping that there will be a duel of the divas a little bit. do we see them in competition a little bit, anna ? i called you anna because to me you're anna . just stay in character.

>> the first day i met shirley, her amazing costume, practicing a song she has to sing. and then i was looking at a scene between her and maggie and it was amazing chemistry between them. just watching these two living legends at the top of their game, working together is a real thrill for all of us.

>> you have been in new york city for a couple of days now, seen you tweeting, you're out on the subway. i think you took in a knicks game. are you having a good time around the city?

>> yeah, amazing. going to the knicks was so exciting.

>> what time did you go home last night? and the bars and the nightlife.

>> i was going to say, are you noticing that people here are responding to you more than ever? here last year, won the golden globe . but have you seen how the series has gotten even more popular?

>> yeah. people have gone crazy. a man bow down and worshipped my eyebrows in the streets.

>> except for you, rob, i mean, you are -- no, no. i have a point and i will get to it. you were this dastardally character on the show. are people just kochling up and saying i hate you all the time? i love you, but i hate you?

>> you're part of the show. they love this show. you're part of the show, no matter if you're a good egg or bad egg . they love the show and they love you.

>> are we going to see any change of heart with your character? will thomas turn over a new leaf? i'm seeing some shaking of head s. no?

>> no, no. he goes on a journey. you might feel a little sorry for him at the end of the series. you'll have to wait and see.

>> i do want to drag out the details but i have a fear that there will be people with pitch forks at the window. are we going to have a wedding?

>> end of season two we saw that wonderful proposal in the snow. i think we can reveal that a wedding is on the horizon.

>> it is touch and go for a while. it is.

>> there are a lot of big -- a lot of big, emotional story lines this year. what are people in store for?

>> i can't give anything away really. you know, it is terrible. i don't want to be a spoil sport here on the program but it would ruin it for people if they knew the story. it's more of the same but bigger and better. let's put it like that.

>> elizabeth, i have to ask you, are you surprised how much people love this series, what a sensation it has been, as the american among us here? well, me, too, of course.

>> i am surprised and delighted.

>> have you guys -- have your lives totally changed through this, sophie, through the whole experience?

>> well, yeah. i never thought i would get recognized on the streets of new york . that's a bit exciting. i guess it's changed in that respect.

>> daisy, as the kitchen maid , you clean up very well. is it true that they actually put grease in your hair to make it look greasier?

>> yeah. greasier. they put dirt on my hands and all that.

>> and the clothes are dirty, too?

>> no, they clean those.

>> but the smell is real.

>> she's only had one dress in three years unlike the upstairs people who change every two minutes.

>> don't go there.

>> we hope that there's happy news, joanne, for you and mr. bates.

>> so do i.

>> give him a break.

>> so many people looking forward to season three. appreciate it.

>> we should mention it premieres january 6th on masterpiece on pbs.