PBS Special DOWNTON ABBEY REDISCOVERED, Hosted by Bernadette Peters, Airs Tonight

Relief is on the way for the millions of devoted viewers eagerly awaiting the debut of the new season of "Downton Abbey," a Carnival Films/ MASTERPIECE co-production premiering on PBS January 4, 2015.

Today, November 30, DOWNTON ABBEY REDISCOVERED offers a tempting sampling of best-loved moments from the past four seasons and a few delectable delights from Season Five. Celebrating the series that The Hollywood Reporter praised as "an absolute pleasure to watch," the program includes a mix of behind-the-scenes footage, interviews with producers and cast members, and video clips of favorite scenes. Hosted by Tony Award-winning actress and huge fan of the series Bernadette Peters, DOWNTON ABBEY REDISCOVERED premieres tonight, November 30, 2014, at 9:00 p.m. ET on PBS (check local listings).

"Like many other loyal 'Downton Abbey' watchers, I am counting down the days until the debut of the new season," said Beth Hoppe, Chief Programming Executive and General Manager of General Audience Programming at PBS. "I can't wait to see what new drama, intrigue and romance Season Five has in store for the Crawleys and all of the other characters we've come to know and love."

The highest-rated drama in PBS history, " Downton Abbey" has continued to captivate viewers for four seasons with its intimately interlaced stories centered on an English country estate. Over the years, audiences have been gripped by the wrenching social changes, romantic intrigues and personal crises faced by the Crawley family and the household staff. Last season saw surprising scandals, joyful moments and dramatic twists and turns that left viewers pondering.

Structured around three themes, DOWNTON ABBEY REDISCOVERED explores "Downton Abbey: Up to Now," "The Men of Downton and the Women They Love" and "Love, Lies and SCANDAL at Downton Abbey."

Cast members interviewed include Hugh Bonneville, Michelle Dockery, Elizabeth McGovern, Jim Carter, Joanne Froggatt, Laura Carmichael, Robert James-Collier and Kevin Doyle.

Interviews with creator and writer Julian Fellowes and executive producers Gareth Neame and Liz Trubridge provide an overview and context for the series and the upcoming season, which is sure to include more drama, rivalry, intrigue, jealousy, ambition and romance.

PBS special programming invites viewers to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs; hear diverse viewpoints; and take front-row seats to world-class drama and performances. Viewer contributions are an important source of funding, making PBS programs possible. PBS and public television stations offer all Americans from every walk of life the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and online content.

Underwriters: Public Television Viewers and PBS
Producer: Inky Dinky Worldwide, LLC
Producer and Director: Bob Marty
Format: CC Stereo HD

About PBS

PBS, with its over 350 member stations, offers all Americans the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and online content. Each month, PBS reaches nearly 109 million people through television and over 28 million people online, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs; to hear diverse viewpoints; and to take front row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS' broad array of programs has been consistently honored by the industry's most coveted award competitions. Teachers of children from pre-K through 12th grade turn to PBS for digital content and services that help bring classroom lessons to life. PBS' premier children's TV programming and its website, pbskids.org, are parents' and teachers' most trusted partners in inspiring and nurturing CURIOSITY and love of learning in children. More information about PBS is available at www.pbs.org, one of the leading dot-org websites on the Internet, or by following PBS on Twitter, Facebook or through our apps for mobile devices.

About MASTERPIECE

MASTERPIECE is presented on PBS by WGBH Boston. Rebecca Eaton is executive producer for MASTERPIECE. Funding for the series is provided by Viking Cruises and Ralph Lauren Corporation with additional support from public television viewers and contributors to The MASTERPIECE Trust, created to help ensure the series' future.

About Carnival Films

Carnival Films is a division of NBC Universal International TV Production and is the UK's largest drama specialist. The company is responsible for the global TV sensation "Downton Abbey," winner of two Golden Globes and 10 Primetime Emmy awards, including Best Mini-series. It is the most-nominated non-US show in the history of the Emmys, with a total of 51 nominations, and is now in 250 territories worldwide. Among numerous national and international awards, the show has even garnered a Guinness World Record for highest critical ratings for a TV show. "Downton Abbey" is executive produced by Carnival's managing director Gareth Neame, who sold the production company to NBCU in 2008.

Founded in 1978, Carnival has produced many hundreds of hours of popular drama both in the UK and US, including primetime series such as Poirot, Hotel Babylon, Whitechapel, Jeeves & Wooster, Rosemary & Thyme, As If, Dracula and The Philanthropist. As well as award-winning mini-series such as C4's iconic Traffik, David Hare's Worricker Trilogy (Page Eight, Turks & Caicos and Salting the Battlefield), The 7:39 by David Nicholls, William Boyd's BAFTA Award winning Best Serial Any Human Heart, The Old CURIOSITY Shop and Enid, starring Helena Bonham-Carter.

Peter Morgan's Lost Honour of Christopher Jefferies will broadcast in 2014, and Carnival's latest series The Last KINGDOM is in production for BBC2 and BBC America. Carnival co-produced Royal Television Society Award winning drama The Hollow Crown, a screen version of Shakespeare's history plays (with Neal Street productions) and the sequel, The War of the Roses is currently in production, starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Judi Dench.

Carnival has recently announced major new development projects such as Freud, Bill Gallagher's Jamestown, Neil Cross's Bay of Plenty with Libertine Pictures for the BBC, Magnum with the iconic photographic co-operative Magnum Photos and Nostradamus with Joseph Fiennes and Anonymous content.

Carnival was recognized as best production company at the 2011 Bulldog Awards and 2012 Broadcast Awards.

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