Downton celebrates record US TV audience

'Downton Abbey' drew a record-breaking US audience for Sunday’s much-anticipated season premiere.

PBS and WGBH-TV announced yesterday that the fourth-season debut of the lavish British miniseries attracted 10.2 million viewers, according to Nielsen Fast National data.

This audience improves upon the viewers of the third-season premiere by 22%. PBS says it is the highest-rated drama premiere in network history.

The two-hour episode picks up the action six months after the sudden death of Downton heir Matthew Crawley in last season’s finale.

'Downton Abbey' airs on the Masterpiece anthology, which is presented on PBS by WGBH Boston. Stars include Hugh Bonneville, Michelle Dockery and Maggie Smith.