'Downton Abbey' releases 8 new photos from season 5

Can Downton Abbey creatively rebound in season 5? These stately portrait shots from next season offer few clues on that front. In addition to featuring the returning cast such as Elizabeth McGovern, Jim Carter, Joanne Froggatt and Allen Leech, they feature newcomers Fifi Hart as Sybbie, twins Zac and Oliver Barker as George, and Richard E. Grant as Simon Bricker (yes, suggesting another time jump).

Granted, one image shows Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) with a pair of shotguns—but the gang is probably just going fox hunting or something, right?

Downton Abbey returns stateside on PBS Masterpiece in January.