Masterpiece Classic: Downton Abbey, Season Two (New Season Premiere) (KPBS)

Airs Sundays, January 8 - February 19, 2012 at 9 p.m. on KPBS TV

Credit: Courtesy of (C) Carnival Film & Television Limited 2011 for MASTERPIECE

Above: Shown from L-R: Dan Stevens as Matthew Crawley and Hugh Bonneville as Lord Grantham.

Friday, December 23, 2011

Multiple Emmy winner (including Outstanding Miniseries!) "Downton Abbey" resumes the story of aristocrats and servants of Downton Abbey during the tumultuous World War I era.

The international hit, written by Julian Fellowes, stars Dame Maggie Smith, Elizabeth McGovern and Hugh Bonneville, as well as a drawing room full of new actors, portraying the loves, feuds and sacrifices of a glittering culture thrown into crisis. Laura Linney hosts.

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Credit: Courtesy of 2011 Carnival Film and Television Limited for MASTERPIECE

Above: The Crawleys meet the war head on. Shown from L-R: Dan Stevens as Matthew Crawley, Julian Wadham as General Sir Herbert Strutt, Penelope Wilton as Isobel Crawley, David Robb as Dr. Clarkson, Elizabeth McGovern as Lady Cora, Hugh Bonneville as Lord Grantham

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Credit: Courtesy of (C) Carnival Film & Television Limited 2011 for MASTERPIECE

Above: Elizabeth McGovern as Lady Cora.

Credit: Courtesy of (C) Carnival Film & Television Limited 2011 for MASTERPIECE

Above: Siobhan Finneran as O'Brien and Rob James-Collier as Thomas plotting away in "Downton Abbey."

Credit: Courtesy of (C) Carnival Film & Television Limited 2011 for MASTERPIECE

Above: Brendan Coyle as John Bates and Joanne Froggatt as Anna Smith.

"Downton Abbey" Season Two airs over seven weeks from Sunday, January 8 through February 19, 2012, at 9 p.m.

Episode one airs Sunday, January 8 at 9 p.m. - Two years into World War I, Downton Abbey is in turmoil, as Matthew and other young men go to war — or avoid it. The women also pitch in, and many couples see their romantic dreams dashed.

Episode two airs Sunday, January 15 at 9 p.m. - Downton is turned into a convalescent home with Thomas in charge. Meanwhile, Lavinia and Sir Richard’s secret comes out, Anna tracks down Bates and Branson seizes his chance to strike a blow for Ireland.

Episode three airs Sunday, January 22 at 9 p.m. - Isobel and Cora lock horns over control of Downton’s medical role. Mrs. Bird starts a soup kitchen. And Matthew and William embark on a perilous patrol behind German lines.

Episode four airs Sunday, January 29 at 9 p.m. - In the climactic battle of the war, Matthew and William go over the top to an uncertain fate. Vera plays a cruel endgame with Bates and Anna. And Daisy faces the severest test of her life.

Episode five airs Sunday, February 5 at 9 p.m. - Lord Grantham receives some terrible news from the front line which will impact on everyone at Downton. It looks as though the future of the entire family could be under threat as the greedy Vera Bates threatens to expose all the secrets that she knows about the Crawley family.

Episode six airs Sunday, February 12 at 9 p.m. - The Spanish flu strikes Downton, disrupting one match, hastening another and transforming the fortunes of all. Mary, Sybil and Robert each confront a moment of truth. Anna and Bates know a moment of happiness.

Episode seven air Sunday, February 19 at 9 p.m. - In the finale, the family gathers at Downton Abbey for Christmas.

Episodes from season one of "Downton Abbey" are available for online viewing until January 17, 2012.

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Watch Downton Abbey Season 2 Preview on PBS. See more from Masterpiece.

Watch Downton Abbey I Wonder Preview on PBS. See more from Masterpiece.

Watch Downton Abbey: O'Brien and Thomas on PBS. See more from Masterpiece.

http://www.kpbs.org/news/2011/dec/23/masterpiece-classic-downton-abbey-season-two-new-s/

Watch Exclusive: Downton Abbey Cast Interview on PBS. See more from Masterpiece.