BBC Entertainment is the Carson of TV channels, lost in the past and refusing to move on, keeping DStv viewers behind-the-times when it comes to the series.
The first three seasons have aired on BBC Entertainment over the past three years but the show's been noticeably absent this year and Season 4 has a been no-show. Season 5 has already come and gone in the UK and for the rest of the world while we've lagged behind with no word on what's happening with it - until today.
BBC Worldwide has announced that Season 4 will only premiere in 2015 - on Sunday, 15 March. This means that by January we'll be
two seasons and
two Christmas Specials behind the UK - a ridiculous situation.
It's such a huge international show you'd think it would be a top priority to get it to us soonest in this globally connected world. The way things currently are we can't be part of the buzz surrounding it at all. Season 5's going to follow Season 4 later in the year but it doesn't change the fact that it's taking much too long to get to us.
As for what to expect from Season 4 ... things pick up four months after the Season 3 Christmas special - with Mary mourning the loss of her beloved Matthew. There's also a controversial storyline surrounding Mary's maid Anna and her teddy bear Mr Bates.
Keep a lookout on TVSA for the premiere when it comes up.