The much anticipated Season 5 of "Downton Abbey" is scheduled to premiere this Sunday in the UK. The new season of this popular British period drama will feature "surprising new stories," according to Steve November, director of drama commissioning at ITV.

He also told the press, as quoted by Forbes, that the new series has "some of the best [stories] we've ever seen." The Season 5 opens in the year 1924. Labour is in power at the time, and according to official synopsis, it "heralds changes that are being felt throughout the land, as well as above and below stairs."

In the new season, Mr Carson will be seen standing against Robert Crawley and Mrs Hughes and this situation arises because of the war memorial plans. Also, Tom Branson's "burgeoning friendship" will be a cause of concern for Robert. The official description also reveals that James "Jimmy" Kent will be at the receiving end of the unwanted female attention, which is not good news, as it "spells trouble." Meanwhile, Thomas Barrow will be seen "giving ultimatum" to Phyllis Baxter, according to the synopsis of the new season.

The new season will see Mary opening up to find love, again. It has been reported that Tom Cullen is playing Lady Mary's love interest, Lord Anthony Gillingham. The synopsis reveals that Edith will increasingly find it to difficult keep her emotions in grip and this will lead to cracks in the "special arrangement" between Edith and Timothy Drewe. "This may have disastrous consequences for the whole household," the synopsis indicates.

Meanwhile, Hollywood actor George Clooney, who is set to marry British human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin this month in Italy, will be making a cameo appearance in "Downton Abbey" Season 5. According to CCTV.com, Gareth Neame, executive producer of the show, has confirmed the news.

CCTV quoted Neame as saying, "It's more of a cameo appearance than part of the show itself, but look forward to it. I think it certainly was very enjoyable for all of the cast and crew to work with him for the day." According to The Guardian, Clooney is likely to appear as an American guest at a wedding at the Crawley estate.

Forbes is reporting that the new season opens with a "well-adjusted" Downton.