U.S. actor George Clooney adjusts his bowtie as he arrives for the premiere of "Gravity" at the 70th Venice Film Festival in Venice in this file photo taken August 28, 2013.
U.S. actor George Clooney adjusts his bowtie as he arrives for the premiere of "Gravity" at the 70th Venice Film Festival in Venice in this file photo taken August 28, 2013. Clooney criticized Britain's Daily Mail on Wednesday for publishing a "completely fabricated" story saying his future mother-in-law is against his upcoming marriage to human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin. REUTERS

George Clooney is set to make a brief appearance in this year's charity special Christmas episode of "Downton Abbey," according to reports. In his "one sketch" appearance in the British period drama, the Hollywood actor will be seen in a scene with Maggie Smith, who plays Violet Crawley in the show. Clooney is supposedly playing the role of an American businessman who attends a wedding that is being organised at Crawley's estate. He will be seen trying to kiss Maggie.

Laura Carmichael, who plays Lady Edith, spilled some details about the scene on the breakfast show "This Morning." Independent has quoted the actress as saying, "There's a very brilliant moment with Maggie and George -- I don't know if I want to give away any more than that really -- but George wants a kiss and Maggie ends up on the floor, it's wonderful."

Laura also told that the star-cast of "Downton Abbey" were left "star struck" when Clooney visited the set and it took them some time to believe that he was there. "We didn't know it would happen until he turned up. We were filming away," she said, as quoted by Independent.

The much anticipated Season 5 of "Downton Abbey" premiered on Sunday in the U.K. The opening episode of the season did not throw up big surprises but hinted that things are changing. Here are the top spoilers from the premiere episode of "Downton Abbey" Season 5:

The Labour government is in power. There is a plan to build a war memorial and much to Robert's surprise the committee does not want him to head it. They want him to give the land for the memorial but want his butler Mr Carson to be the chairman. Robert is displeased to hear that but does not protest. Mr Carson comes to know through Mary that Robert is not happy about the committee's decision. He does his bit to ensure that his employer gets to be the patron.

Mr Drewe tells Edith that he has figured out that she is the biological mother of Marigold. However, if she wishes to continue seeing her daughter, they need to find a way, which is logical.

Baxter, encouraged by Moseley, tells Cora Crawley about her dark secret, that she stole jewellery at her previous employer's place and was sent to a prison for some time. She, however, does not reveal why she stole the jewellery. Seeing that Baxter is not going to dance to his tune, anymore, Barrow approaches Cora Crawley to tell her about Baxter's past. Cora tells Barrow that he is likely to be fired, first for recommending a felon for the job and second for blackmailing Baxter.

There is fire in Edith's room. It is Barrow who is the first to see smoke coming out from underneath Edith's room door. He alerts everyone and enters Edith's room. He carries her out of the room. And, by saving Edith, he saves his job, as well. It is indicated at the end of the episode that it is Edith who may have played a role in setting her room on fire, in which Michael Gregson's book got burned -- the book that started the fire.

Lady Anstruther arrives and makes an excuse to stay at the Crawley's. Robert catches her and Jimmy in a compromising position when he opens her room's door to warn her about the fire. Jimmy is set to lose his job.