A good portion of Downton Abbey’s upstairs plot revolves around the love lives of the Crawly daughters, Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery), Lady Sybil (Jessica Brown Findlay) and Lady Edith (Laura Carmichael). Now it looks like fans of the PBS series may get the chance go back in time and witness the Earl (Hugh Bonneville) and Countess Grantham’s (Elizabeth McGovern) romance.

According to BBC News, Julian Fellowes is planning a prequel to Downton Abbey. Said Fellows of the origin couple:

"They had a slightly troubled courtship, because she was in love with him before they married, as we know, and he married her entirely for her money," said Fellowes, speaking at the Bafta Screenwriters' Lecture series.

"I sort of feel there's something quite nice in there because he's a decent cove, and so he feels rather guilty about this which has affected their marriage beyond that."

I’m all for a Downton Abbey prequel, especially if they were able to get Maggie Smith to appear as the Dowager Countess of Grantham. However, don’t expect to see such a spinoff any time soon.  The potential prequel won’t be broadcast until Downton Abbey ends.

Photo credit: PBS