A short-lived visit?
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What we all thought could've been the reception committee could've actually been a goodbye one according to the DailyMail's speculation:
“Fans of the award-winning period drama have been treated to their first look at Shirley MacLaine filming her scenes as Mrs Levinson, the mother of Earl of Grantham’s American wife Cora, played by Elizabeth McGovern. With a stern, almost bordering on snotty look on her face, MacLaine is seen driving away from the house with her ladies’ maid, played by Lucille Sharp - suggesting that her visit could have been somewhat short-lived."
To support the Daily Mail's speculation, earlier this week Elisabeth McGovern has tweeted:
The phrasing ("It's been") suggesting that MacLaine's time in Downton has come to an end. Will Mrs Levinson be featured in only two episodes? And if so, is Matthew in the Goodbye(?) Committee as Mary's husband? The evidence would seem to suggest that the wedding has happened if Grandmama is leaving...oh, speculations, speculations!