The Babies of 'Downton Abbey': Our Season 5 Predictions

After too many months of Dowager-Countess deprivation, Downton Abbey is back in the U.S.! Season four ended on an uncharacteristically happy note — we’re talking Mrs. Hughes and Carson hand-in-hand happy. As we venture into season five, we’re turning our attention to the often-overlooked Grantham babies. By our calculations, Sybbie is 4, George is 3, and Edith’s super-secret baby Marigold is 1. Time flies when you’re drinking tea.

What’s up next for Sybbie? As usual, the “wicked little half-breed’s” fate will be up to the whims of dad Tom Branson. Sure, he’s always trying to do what’s best for her, but the guy has a hard time making up his mind. For now, she’s being raised as Catholic (controversial) and remaining at Downton (less controversial). But we honestly wouldn’t be surprised if she ended up at some sort of progressive preschool in Dublin with the children of other Irish nationalists by the end of season five.

Oh, George. It’s hard to be the apple of mom’s eye when she’s constantly juggling suitors. Seriously, though, it seems George is always with the nanny. If Mary doesn’t make some strides in the motherhood department, our hope for George is that he gets taken under Rose’s wing or something. It’s his one chance for an exciting life. More realistically, maybe his (secret) cousin Marigold will be a fun playmate to have around the estate.

Speaking of, what’s in store for Marigold? Her situation seems finalized; Edith is leaving her nearby on the Downton campus with the pig farmer Mr. Drew and his wife. Edith, who thinks her identity as Marigold’s mother is still a secret, even has the luxury of visiting the Drews regularly to check in. But we’re pretty sure this secret’s going to come out sooner or later, especially if Julian Fellowes has anything to do with it. And then what happens? Everyone will feel bad and Marigold will weasel her way into the castle.

Tune into Downton tonight to see if any of our predictions come true.