Dan Stevens (Getty Images)

Via Vulture, a somewhat spoiler-y report that will trouble anyone rooting for the Matthew-Mary romance on British soap opera (come on, it is a soap opera) Downton Abbey--actor Dan Stevens may leave the show after the beginning of the as-yet-unshot fourth season. Mr. Stevens, the show's romantic lead, appears in the third season (airing stateside early in 2013), but has publicly made noise about wanting to depart the show; he has also recently pursued extracurricular interests, serving as a judge for this year's Booker Prize--a surprisingly demanding duty--and appearing on Broadway in The Heiress.