‘Downton
Abbey‘ fans have seen their last of scheming maid Sarah O’Brien — at least for the upcoming season.
Siobhan Finneran, who played O’Brien for three seasons on the British and American TV hit, says she won’t be coming back for Season Four.
Finneran, who’s snagged a role as a nurse in the second season of the BBC’s “The Syndicate,” says she’s sorry to leave “Downton” — and that she enjoyed playing such a dislikable character.
“O’Brien is a thoroughly despicable human being — that was great to play,” Finneran told The Mirror, which reported that it’s possible that O’Brien could return for the show’s fifth season.
During her run on “Downton Abbey,” O’Brien — maid to Cora, the Countess of Grantham (Elizabeth McGovern) — was involved in a running feud with under-butler Thomas Barrow (Rob James-Collier).
In Season One, bitter she might be about to lose her job, she placed a bar of soap on the bathroom floor, causing the pregnant Cora to slip, fall and eventually to miscarry.
Finneran is the third character to leave “Abbey” following its third season.
Matthew Crawley (Dan Stevens) was killed off in the season finale, while Lady Sybil Crawley (Jessica Brown Findlay) died after giving birth.
The fourth season of “Downton Abbey,” which begins filming later this spring, will jump ahead six months — with Sarah’s departure taking place in that timeframe, according to reports.
Seaon Four premieres this fall on ITV in England and early next year on PBS.