Daisy Lewis joins 'Downton Abbey' as new love interest for...

Credit: The Daily Mirror

For those rooting for widowers Tom Branson and Lady Mary Crawley to be the latest romantic pairing on Downton Abbey, you may have to adjust expectations.

The Daily Mirror reports that actress Daisy Lewis (Doctor Who, Inspector Lewis) is being brought in as the new love interest for Tom Branson (Allen Leech) in season four of the hit series. The 28-year-old newcomer will play the sultry live-in governess of Tom's daughter, also named Sybil. The two are expected to strike up a new romance when the series returns to ITV in the fall.

A source said, “Daisy will become one of Downton’s most prominent characters. She wowed producers in her audition and they are delighted to have secured such a brilliant young actress." The source continues, “Her romance with Tom will be one of the main storylines of the series. He will begin to develop feelings for her and they start a secret affair. Tom will have an even bigger role in the new series after ­becoming the estate manager of Downton. The writers know he is a very popular ­character and the ­viewers were gripped by Lady Sybil’s traumatic death. In the Christmas special one of the new maids tried to kiss Tom although, at the time, he wasn’t quite ready to move on. But viewers will see that’s all going to change in the new series.”

Downton Abbey returns on ITV in the UK this fall, and to American shores on PBS in January 2014.