It’s so rare these days to get an apology from any actor regarding the behavior of his character, or a certain choice his character made that you think maybe wasn’t the right choice and did they even think about it or its repercussions for two seconds?, or, least of all, the untimely [spoiler] of his character. It’s enough to make you wonder: Where are the manners?! We ALL know you [spoiler]ed and we KNOW you know that we didn’t want you to, so why don’t you just come out and apologize for it already?! Well, in an interview with Radio Times, Downton Abbey’s Matthew Crowely (Dan Stevens) did just that. (Downton Abbey spoilers ahead.) (Thomas becomes bearable, just kidding!) From Radio Times:

Downton Abbey’s Dan Stevens has apologised for his character’s death during the Christmas special, saying: “I am sorry about that!”

Speaking to Radio Times, the 30-year-old star went on to say: “I think what emerged is that it’s an unwritten rule that you’re not supposed to die on British television on Christmas Day, and that, specifically, was not my doing.”

Stevens’ character, Matthew Crawley, was killed in a car crash after visiting his wife Mary and their newborn baby in hospital. The untimely demise of such a main character, in the last few minutes of the two-hour festive episode, came as a shock to viewers expecting a more uplifting instalment of the hit ITV period drama.

Apologising to the viewers who felt Matthew’s fate dampened their festive cheer, Stevens added: “I didn’t have any say in the manner in which he went. Ultimately, it was in the hands of Julian [Fellowes] and the producers.”

WAIT, DAN STEVENS. Blaming Julian [Fellowes] and the producers?! That’s not an apology at all! You might as well have told us that you’re sorry “that we’re upset” about Matthew Crowley’s [spoiler]. You just turn right back around and come back here when you’re ready to genuinely apologize for what happened to your character on the TV show. WE’LL BE WAITING! (Via Vulture.)