Set in 1919, Downton Abbey‘s two-hour Christmas special sees the characters hosting a lavish Christmas party.

However, despite being the season of goodwill, tensions are rife and Bates’s arrest has cast a shadow over the festivities. Will he be a condemned man or will he be found innocent in time for the annual servants ball?

The Christmas special airs at 9pm on Sunday 25th December 2011 on ITV1. Here are ten teasing lines of dialogue from the episode…

» ‘We all prayed for him in church this morning.’

» ‘It’s a nutcracker. We thought you’d like it.’

» ‘Sir Richard, life is a game in which the player must appear ridiculous.’

» ‘Perhaps he’s had enough banging for one life.’

» ‘Glaciers are fast compared to you on this, Mary.’

» ‘I don’t often feel selfless. But when I listen to you, I do.’

» ‘No man can regret loving as I have loved you.’

» ‘No return. She’s crossed the Rubicon.’

» ‘Didn’t the war teach you never to make promises?’

» ‘You bastard.’

> Order the Christmas special on DVD on Amazon.

> Buy the Series 2 boxset on Amazon.

Are you looking forward to the Christmas special? Let us know below…