There have not been many details about the cast in the renewal of British period drama television series "Downton Abbey" and, with the rumor mills silent, it is safe to say that the much-loved characters in the show will again be on board the tales and turmoil in the estate. 

While everyone preps up for the sixth season, the hype is around the Christmas episode/ the season 5 finale of the series. Guaranteed appearances in the much-awaited episode include George Clooney and Matthew Goode. This only makes fans more impatient to see it. Elizabeth McGovern revealed via The Daily Beast that her character, Lady Grantham, will lock lips with Clooney as he makes a cameo appearance, being one of the wedding guests in the episode. 

"It was special for me because there was a scripted kiss, so I was a bit shocked to see his wedding go forward after our professional day together!" jokes McGovern. "I have not been quite the same ever since. He's truly as charming as you'd hope him to be, and smart, and has his heart in the right place." 

TV Line, on the other hand, revealed that "The Good Wife" pin-up Matthew Goode will be part of the Christmas installment as well. He is expected to add to Lady Mary's love interests in the show. The site added that the people behind "Downton Abbey" are thinking about having the actor back in season 6, but that may be a tall order for now as Goode just nodded to a seventh season of the political drama series. 

Fans are all too ecstatic in knowing that another season of "Downton Abbey" is on the cards. However, this may be the very season that will tie all loose ends and wrap up the success of the show altogether. Some of the vital personas have expressed the huge possibility, too. Allen Leech, who plays the role of Tom Branson in the series, is one who foresees the series' imminent culmination. The show's creator Julian Fellowes is another. 

"In my heart of hearts, I can't see it going more than two [seasons] more," Leech told E Online. "I think the period of time we want to tell, we're coming to the end that us as actors we can keep playing these characters." 

"Unlike America, in England we have to wait until the season finishes [airing] before we receive a pick-up; we're not renewed multiple years in advance," Fellowes told Huffington Post Canada months back. "We never want to jinx anything. That's good because it keeps everyone at the top of their game. If there is a sixth season, it may be our last." 

In The Daily Beast interview, McGovern has also suggested the nearing of the show's curtain call.  She said that while she is committed to doing a sixth season, she doesn't see the show going on indefinitely.  Still, she says it has so far been great.  

Fans are hoping that as the airing date approaches, more information about the show will materialize. Nevertheless, the assurance of the new season for "Downton Abbey" is enough to keep everyone fired up.

No dates are announced except for the advent of Season 5 of "Downton Abbey" in the U.S., which is scheduled on on Jan 4, next year.