Last season announced for 'Downton Abbey' on PBS

The sixth and final season of Downton Abbey will begin airing in the United States on Jan. 3, PBS announced Saturday.

"The highly-anticipated final chapter of the Crawley saga will air in nine enthralling episodes, so be sure to block off your Sunday nights now and join us on this unforgettable journey," the network said in a statement on its website.

The show -- which follows the lives of the wealthy Crawley family and those who serve them at their English country estate in the early 20th century -- airs first each season on the British broadcaster ITV.

The program stars Hugh Bonneville, Jim Carter, Brendan Coyle, Michelle Dockery, Joanne Froggatt, Elizabeth McGovern, Maggie Smith and Penelope Wilton.