By Barbara Polichetti
CRANSTON, R.I. -- Fans of the British costume drama "Downton Abbey" have a chance to see the third season kick off on the big screen at the Park Theater.
Rhode Island PBS and the theater are partnering to present a free public screening of the first hour of the third season at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 3.
An estimated 300 free tickets are still available and can be obtained by calling the theater's box office where they must be picked up in advance.
The popular series about England's landed gentry and their staff in the early 1900s has garnered Emmy awards for its depiction of the gilded life at the fictional Downton Abbey estate.
The series resumes on PBS television on Jan. 18 at 9 p.m.