Downton Abbey writer Julian Fellowes has admitted that he has some concerns about Mary and Matthew being together.
The couple, played by Michelle Dockery and Dan Stevens, got engaged in the show's Christmas special.
Fellowes has admitted that the potential lack of tension between the duo now that they are together is a "concern".
"But by the same token, shows can also run out of path when they go on with [a will-they-won't-they storyline] too long," he told the New York Times.
"There is a moment when the audience just thinks, 'Oh, for [goodness'] sake'. You somehow have to pre-empt that."
Fellowes also insisted that Bates (Brendan Coyle) is one of his "favourite characters" and explained his reasons for causing problems for Bates and Anna (Joanne Froggatt).
"These are two people who have not been given all that much in life, but what they have been given is a real love," he said. "I wouldn't ever want to undermine that. But they've got to suffer a little. Nothing [is] harder to dramatise than happiness."
Earlier today, Digital Spy learned that War Horse star Matt Milne has joined the show's cast. Shirley MacLaine has also signed up for a role in the third series.
