'Downton Abbey's' Hot Streak

The stunning success of Downton Abbey, which hit a new high with 16 Emmy nominations July 19, has done wonders for PBS' profile. The show, which won for outstanding miniseries last year and maintains a bargain price tag of $2 million to $2.5 million an episode, has become a cultural phenomenon with blockbuster ratings (the second season averaged 7 million viewers an episode) and fans among the British royal family (Pippa Middleton was granted a set visit) and Hollywood royalty (Maggie Gyllenhaal inquired about a cameo). Executive producer Gareth Neame (who also is managing director of Carnival Films, the NBCUniversal-owned co-producer of the series with PBS and England's ITV) cryptically teases "story surprises" for the show's third season, which begins Jan. 6 in the U.S. after premiering in the U.K. in September.