It's been a British invasion in New York City this week!

The city has been buzzing between the arrival of Prince William and The Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton -- who came here for the first time ever and visited The White House, 9/11 Memorial and watched basketball with Beyoncé and JAY Z -- to the highly-anticipated visit from the cast and director of "Downton Abbey," the highest-rated drama on PBS.

Needless to say, it's been a rather exciting time for New Yorkers and Brits alike.

Tea and crumpets anyone? Or better yet, a slice of pizza?

While there's no denying that the English backdrop has its charm with its enchanting estates and historical landmarks complimented with sophisticated attire and pomp and circumstance, there's no better time of the year than Christmas to visit the Big Apple.

(At the same token, the PBS gem's "Christmas at Downton Abbey" soundtrack is Amazon's second best seller, so you could say that both the U.S. and U.K. bring its charm to the holiday.)

On Monday, Dec. 8, the British invasion was welcomed with open arms as "Downton Abbey" fans flocked to the Hudson Theatre in New York to watch the first episode of the British drama's Season 5, which kicks off on Jan. 4, 2015, at 9 p.m. on PBS Masterpiece. They also were able to get some juicy, new details on the series from its executive producer Gareth Neame and the cast.

While Season 5 has already been broadcast in the U.K., British fans are eagerly awaiting the two-hour Christmas special.

In New York, the screening was followed by a Q&A with Neame and the cast, which was moderated by TODAY Show Correspondent Jenna Bush Hager and attended by Latin Post. "Downton Abbey" stars Hugh Bonneville (Lord Grantham), Rob James-Collier (Thomas Barrow), Lesley Nicol (Mrs. Patmore), Phyllis Logan (Mrs. Hughes) and Laura Carmichael (Edith) were thrilled to be in America and may return to the States sooner than you'd think.

With American ties, many fans, including Bush Hager who is a self-proclaimed fan of the show, want to know if "Downton Abbey" would ever take the show on the road and film in New York City.

An audience member at the screening and Q&A pointed out that the Crawleys, the fictional aristocratic family of the show, has American relatives played by Shirley MacLaine and Paul Giamatti and asked if shooting in New York would be a possibility. Both MacLaine and Giamatti have had cameos on the series, so it would make sense and could add an exciting new twist to the storyline.

While it would make sense and would be a fabulous idea, it comes with a hefty price tag -- a reported roughly $10 million. But never say never.

"I am actually going to follow up with that because I have some friends here from PBS who might like to give me the appropriate resources to bring it over," Neame said. "I would like to do some episodes like that, I really would."

What does the cast think about heading to the Big Apple?

 "Yes -- and bring the servants!" said Lesley Nicol, who stars as the beloved cook Mrs. Patmore.

"Would you like it to see it happen?" she asked the audience, who then cheered in approval.

What are the differences between the American and British audiences?

"The difference between you and the U.K., you (the U.S.) are more enthusiastic; you're not afraid to say that you enjoy something. You are not afraid to celebrate success," Nicol said. "Not to say that our fans in the U.K. aren't enthusiastic, it's just different."

"What is it like on set every day?" Bush Hager said.

"Carnage," Nicol said. "Absolute mayhem, I can't speak for anyone else upstairs because I don't go there."

What can fans expect from "Downton Abbey" Season 5?

In addition to drama, there will be some American eye candy to add to the already exciting roaring '20s.

None other than the handsome and debonair George Clooney will star in a one-off special episode for ITV's Text Santa campaign, "a charity initiative set up in 2011 by ITV to support UK charities during the Christmas period." It will be screened on Dec. 19.

Clooney will reportedly play an American wedding guest, but it is not yet known how he is related to the aristocratic family. As expected, the sneak peak of the episode reveals a dapper Clooney in a gray three-piece suit.

According to the U.K.'s Daily Mail, while fans were thrilled to hear of Clooney's guest appearance, they were "left slightly baffled after the first teaser trailer revealed Lady Cora -- who is married to Hugh Bonneville's Earl of Grantham -- calling him 'darling.' In the clip, Cora approaches George, who is chatting to Lady Rose MacClare, and says, 'Dearest, Lord and Lady Carlisle have asked us over for dinner tonight.'

"He (Clooney) then turns around to reveal himself as the Hollywood hunk, and not in fact her husband. The teaser clip was released just after the first picture of George in the period piece -- shot for the Text Santa special -- was unveiled, showing him posing alongside his pal, 'Downton' star Bonneville."

Is it getting hot in here? The elated cast and crew, while always proper, must have had rosy cheeks on Clooney's arrival.

The highly anticipated "Downton Abbey" Season 5 features returning stars Maggie Smith, Hugh Bonneville, Michelle Dockery, Elizabeth McGovern, Jim Carter, Laura Carmichael, Joanne Froggatt, Allen Leech, Robert James-Collier, Penelope Wilton, Phyllis Logan, Lily James, Brendan Coyle, Lesley Nicol, Sophie McShera, Samantha Bond, Ed Speleers, Kevin Doyle, Raquel Cassidy, David Robb, Tom Cullen, Julian Ovenden, Daisy Lewis, Douglas Reith, Jeremy Swift and Andrew Scarborough.

"This acclaimed ensemble is joined by guest stars Harriet Walter ('Atonement'), reprising her role as Lady Shackleton, and Peter Egan ('Death at a Funeral'), who returns as Lord Flintshire, together with completely new characters played by Richard E. Grant ('Girls'), Anna Chancellor ('The Hour') and Rade Sherbedgia," according to PBS Masterpiece.

"Downton Abbey" returns to PBS stations on Jan. 4, 2015, at 9 p.m. There will reportedly be a Season 6, but will any of it be shot in New York City? Stay tuned!

Check out a video with Clooney's appearance on "Downton Abbey" for Text Santa.