Warning: This article contains spoilers from "Downton Abbey."

As "Downton Abbey" prepares for Season 5, fans are hoping that it will be better than what some have called a disappointing Season 4.

Entertainment Weekly describes Season 4 as featuring "lackluster storylines," citing viewer complaints. At the Television Critics Association press tour on Tuesday, executive producer Gareth Neame reportedly addressed "the validity" behind the criticism, saying "he respects the process," as paraphrased by EW. Ultimately, however, Neame believes that the season was "one of the strongest seasons we've ever had" thanks to its Downton-centric plot. (The season did in fact earn 12 Emmy nominations.)

There are still some big things coming this season.

According to Neame, the season features "really substantial twists and turns," TODAY reports. Meanwhile, Allen Leech, who plays Tom Branson, has teased viewers to prepare for "the unicorn farm no one expects."

"This [season] she is quite impulsive," Michelle Dockery, who plays Lady Mary, said of her character. "She's embracing her life. She's through the grief now. I see kind of Season 5 for Mary as the 'new Mary.' She's got a bit of bite back she had in [Season] 1."

Mary will reportedly get closer to Tom as both characters are "looking for love ... but not with each other," Leech said. Meanwhile, Mary's relationship with Lady Edith, played by Laura Carmichael, will get worse.

"Mary's mean to Edith especially in this season," Dockery said. "Me and Laura love it when they're mean to each other. It's more fun to do. ... We rejoice when [creator Julian Fellowes] writes anything where they're vicious to each other."

The season will take place around six months after the Season 4 finale. According to TODAY, there will be no major character deaths will in Season 5.

That's more than could be said for previous seasons. For example, Fellowes killed off Matthew Crawley after actor Dan Stevens opted not to renew his contract. According to Neame, this time around all actors' contracts have been confirmed.

"It did occur to us to find out if we could keep our actors before [writing Season 5]," Neame said laughing. "We've all come to comfortable arrangement that is mutually beneficial."

Still, Leech is on his toes as he expected to receive his "firing papers" after his character's first three-episode arc.

"In no way did I expect I would still be there [after Sybil, Tom's wife, died]," Leech explained. "To be honest, I'm expecting to meet a truck in a narrow lane."

Season 5 of "Downton Abbey" premieres in the U.S. on PBS on Jan. 4, 2015.
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Follow Scharon Harding on Twitter: @ScharHar.

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