The eight episodes of "Downton Abbey" Season 5 wrapped up earlier in November. The popular British period drama is returning on Christmas to air a two hour special episode. This episode will pick up in autumn 1924. For this episode, the latest to join the "Downton Abbey" cast are Alun Armstrong and Jane Lapotaire.

Lapotaire will be making an appearance as Princess Irina, wife of Prince Kuragin, while Armstrong is playing the character called Stowell, the butler of the Sinderbys. In episode 8 of Season 5, Lady Rose got married to Lord Sinderby's son Atticus. The Christmas episode will see the Crawley family getting an invitation from the Sinderby family. They will be heading to the Brancaster Castle in Northumberland for the grouse shooting season as guests of Lady Rose's father-in-law. As expected, the visit is not going to be uneventful, as Stowell has an "axe to grind" and "a scandalous secret threatens to undermine the holiday." According to the synopsis of the episode, "surprises are in store as the families become better acquainted with each other and some new faces arrive on the scene."

The last episode of "Downton Abbey" saw Anna getting arrested on suspicion of murdering valet Green. A witness identified her as the woman who was last seen with Green near the pavement. According to the synopsis of the episode, Bates is going to take "drastic measures" to clear his wife's name as Anna faces an "uncertain future behind bars."

Meanwhile, Carson and Ms Hughes will be seen considering a business venture. And, the other pair Baxter and Molesley will be busy on their own joint plan, according to the synopsis of the episode.

As previously reported, George Clooney will be making a brief appearance in the special episode that is scheduled to air this Christmas. Also, Matthew Goode has been roped in to guest-star in this episode. Goode's character, according to spoilers, will be making an appearance as Lady Mary's love interest.

According to Hugh Bonneville, the two-hour long, Christmas episode is "very heart-warming." He said to Independent, "You'll have a lump in your throat, but in a very nice way."

"Downton Abbey" has already been renewed for Season 6.