Before we move ahead to Downton Abbey Season 3 - debuting Sunday night on PBS! - let's go back to this summer, when Lisa Palmer of TV Fanatic chatted with star Michelle Dockery at the Television Critics Association press tour.

What nuggets did the actress spill about what fans can expect on new episodes?

“The third season is very much about change," Dockery sayd. "[Mary has] matured and she’s very much grown into a woman as a result of the war, as opposed to how petty and spoiled she was.”

Are there any similarities between the star and the character?

“Mary and I come from different backgrounds. But there are some similarities. I enjoy playing Mary because it’s different than any other character I’ve played. I liked Mary’s cold and pragmatic side, especially, and her vicious nature toward her sister because it was so different.”

And finally, of course, we had to ask about the main couple at the center of this beloved British smash? With a wedding on the horizon, can viewers look forward to nothing but wedding bliss for Matthew and Mary? Please, Dockery teases:

“There is never smooth sailing for Matthew and Mary.”

Among other Season 3 spoilers:

• Lord Grantham will face severe financial problems.
• Anna will remain committed to clearing Bates' name and freeing him from jail.
• Three new servants will start work.
• Thomas will get into major trouble with one of them, who happens to be O'Brien's nephew.
• Tragedy will strike the family.

Source:
http://www.tvfanatic.com/2013/01/michelle-dockery-teases-season-of-change-rocky-sailing-for-mary/