'Downton Abbey' producer: It was Siobhan Finneran's decision to leave

[joeybee12]

"Downton Abbey's" O'Brien has had a major role in the period drama, both upstairs with the Crawley family and downstairs with the servants. From causing Lady Cora's miscarriage to nearly getting valet Thomas sacked and thrown in jail, the maid played by Siobhan Finneran has often been at the center of the action, and that's what makes Friday's news of the actress' exit that much more surprising.

But Gareth Neame, one of the show's executive producers, said the decision for the maid to move on and not appear in the upcoming fourth season wasn't made by the producers or writers.

"The entire decision was Siobhan’s," he told us. "Her initial contract came to an end and she didn’t want to renew her contract. We certainly would all be very happy to have her back in the show."

http://theclicker.today.com/_news/2013/03/04/17170078-downton-abbey-producer-it-was-siobhan-finnerans-decision-to-leave?lite

Too bad...she was evil AND enjoyable.

[Still Blue in PDX]

1. Oh, DARN.

Siobhan looks like, and O'Brien behaves like a neighborhood mom who made my life hell when our boys were younger, which only added to my enjoyment of the character.

I enjoyed seasons 1 and 2 so much; season 3 was a bit of a letdown. Can't wait to see what season 4 has in store for us.

[joeybee12]

2. I wonder how they'll write her off...

She'll obviously have taken another job elsewhere, but they'll have to explain what was the push.

[Still Blue in PDX]

3. I wonder if her evil machinations will come to light. nt

[joeybee12]

4. Yeah, they might just tell about her and her ladyship's soap! nt

[greatauntoftriplets]

5. She seemed interested in going to India with Susan MacClare.

As nasty as O'Brien is, I think she might be a saint compared with that shifty-eyed Wilkins.

[joeybee12]

7. I bet you're right...that's how they'll explain it...nt

[greatauntoftriplets]

9. And they don't have to kill her off, too!

[mainer]

6. Sounds like they won't be killing her off, so she can guest star

One of the best characters in the show! Without O'Brien, there'd be no dark side to the plots.

[joeybee12]

8. They have six new characters next season...

They have to have some evil ones in there somewhere!

[grasswire]

10. damn, I wanted to see her perfidy revealed!

Too bad.