why did dan stevens want to leave downton abbey

At 18, Nadia Wolfe fell in love and began a secret ten-year affair with her father’s subordinate, Jack Mayer.When her brother died and her father became gravely ill, she begged him to marry her—only to be rejected again in favor of his childhood friend, Bree Ewing. This time, Nadia didn’t cry. She knelt before the gods, offered a prayer, and chose the fierce mercenary Lucian Wyler, setting the fastest possible wedding date.

When they first met, he was a beggar, and she was wealthy. Years later, he became a CEO, and she, a humble employee. A twist of fate brought them together through an arranged marriage, revealing hidden connections. Misunderstood feelings and missed chances led to separation until a revelation prompted a second chance...

Alaric Caelum wakes inside a female-lead fantasy novel as the villain who dies early. A Foundation stage nobody dares to slander a Transcendence stage cultivator? Not today. Armed with brutal power and zero moral restraint, Alaric dismantles enemies one humiliating lesson at a time. The so-called Chosen One wants help? Sure, at a price. An unbeatable opponent? One word to his father, a celestial Ascendant King, and the problem disappears. Being a villain has its perks: no conscience, no rules, and absolutely no one left to guilt-trip him.

Six years ago, Annie Sparks shares a one-night encounter with the drugged Ian Locke and becomes pregnant, but goes to prison to protect her pregnant sister Joyce McDonnell. Joyce uses half a pendant to marry into the Locke family under false identity. Six years later, Ian and his father return to the country. Andy Locke discovers the bullied child Charlie bears striking resemblance to the Locke bloodline and confirms he is Ian’s biological son. Joyce attempts to eliminate Annie and her son to conceal the truth. After Annie reunites with Ian, the family of three finally recognizes each other through numerous trials. Annie exposes Joyce’s crimes, and Joyce faces legal consequences. Annie becomes the rightful young madam of the Locke family, holds a proper wedding ceremony with Ian, and achieves family completeness.

Jacob Collins was framed and arrested for the crime of treason. His sister, Celia, had no choice but to become a dancer at Paramount Dance Hall. The Commander, Wayne Jerome, was trying to investigate Jacob's case. However, his cousin, Gabriel, took him to the Paramount and drugged him. Wayne accidentally got into Celia's room and had a night with her. The next day, Celia asked Wayne for $30,000. Wayne was angry and humiliated her. Three months later, Celia found out she was pregnant. Could she stay safe and keep her baby?

Tommy, the ruthless second-in-command of a mafia family, crosses paths with Mathilda, a college student, sparking an unexpected connection. As secrets unfold and danger looms, their lives collide, forcing them to confront their pasts and the choices that will define their future.

Staring at the jade pendant, Yamlia Lane finally realized she was the long-missing daughter of the wealthiest person in the country. Surprisingly, Yamlia had no intention of returning to her biological father. 15 years ago, when she was still Ramona Salmon, she and her fiancé, Jagger Jarrett, were caught in a car accident. To save Jagger, his mother coerced the doctor into removing one of Ramona's kidneys, then spread the lie that Ramona was missing. 15 years later, Ramona, now known as Yamlia, was accepted into a prestigious university. However, just as this exciting news reached Yamlia's adoptive father, he discovered that his biological daughter, Jacey Lane, had deceived Yamlia into selling her blood. He rushed over to stop them. What he saw next left him utterly shocked. He then...

Nicole Stanton, the richest young woman in the world, showed up in a low profile at the airport but she was immediately swarmed by reporters.Reporter asked，“Ms. Stanton, why did your three-year marriage with Mr. Ferguson come to an end?”She smiled and said，“Because I have to inherit my billion-dollar family fortune…”

Abigail married Jonathan three years ago, but his family believed she did so for their money. The in-law's dislike and a looming homewrecker pushed Abigail to a breaking point, with Jonathan's indifference being the last straw. Seeing Abigail beyond disheartened and ready to leave, it was to Jonathan's surprise to learn the things Abigail endured these three years. Even more to Jonathan's surprise, Abigail is revealed to be... As the truth unveiled and misunderstandings lifted, will the two rekindle their love in the end?

Ian Warren, the wealthiest man in Granton, was once gravely ill as a child. While recovering in the countryside, he met a young girl named Alice Clare. Encouraged by her, he successfully underwent surgery. On the day they agreed to meet, Alice suddenly disappeared. Ian spent years searching for her.Eighteen years later, upon reuniting, he quickly found an excuse to marry her in a flash wedding. Fearing she might leave, he treated her with utmost devotion. Only later did he realize that Alice had willingly entered his trap—this long-planned love had been mutual from the start. In the end, they met at their peaks and found their happily ever after.

Shea had been pressured by her mother to marry her mom's best friend's son. After getting the marriage certificate, she had hardly seen her husband's face before he left. It didn't matter. They had the marriage certificate anyway, and her husband was really that important to her. Soon after, she received a notification about starting her job as a bodyguard in the security department of Lowe Group. Great, she had gotten married, and she even had a job lined up. Shea went to work happily. A year later, when Yancy, the CEO of Lowe Group, returned, Shea had become the CEO's personal bodyguard. Wait a minute! This guy looked familiar. Why did he look like her husband?

Camille Sloane discovers while reapplying for her marriage certificate that she's still legally unmarried—her husband Malcolm Rourke's actual registered wife is his assistant Sierra Lowell. Shocked and heartbroken, Camille learns everything was orchestrated by Malcolm and witnesses him flirting with Sierra at the office.She decides to apply for immigration to leave him forever. Though Camille wants to leave peacefully, Sierra refuses to let her go, provoking her at Camille's birthday banquet and even self-harming to frame her. Camille fights back, but Malcolm wavers and repeatedly hurts her for Sierra's sake.Completely heartbroken, after receiving immigration approval, Camille prepares to leave but is kidnapped by Sierra's scheme and subjected to ninety-nine lashes by Malcolm, who doesn't know the truth. In her fading consciousness, Camille discovers her parents' deaths hide deeper secrets, and she vows to make Malcolm and Sierra pay the price.

5 years ago, Seth Group's CEO, Rita Seth, fell in love with a construction worker, Drake Barton, and had a daughter.However, due to the social gap, Rita's father opposed their relationship. When Rita's inherited family leukemia relapsed and her life was in critical danger, her father used the excuse of not providing a bone marrow transplant to force Drake to leave Rita. Drake, deeply in love with his wife, had no choice but to agree to leave in order to save her life. Upon learning the truth, Rita went to see Drake, only to witness him hit by a car. Overwhelmed with grief, she fainted on the spot.Taking advantage of this, Rita's father left her and Drake's child, Dana, at the accident site.

Bella Miller, a broke college girl, never expected one night with the cursed Lycan King to leave her pregnant. Worse, she's a human. Humans die carrying a werewolf heir, yet saving her means he must give up his own life.

Henry Saber's wife finds herself imprisoned—literally—and tortured by his own hands, leading her to give up on their relationship and leave him. However, Henry refuses to let her go, declaring that if she chose to stay by his side, she will stay with him for the rest of her life...

Lucy Hope is entrusted to the Flint family and unexpectedly marries Simon Flint.But when he grows close to Joan Lane, Lucy loses faith in their marriage and resolves to devote herself to Westby. When Simon learns of Joan's betrayal and realizes Lucy is about to leave, he rushes to the station, desperate to stop her.

Elena Graywood couldn't understand why her grandfather insisted on her marrying a man from a mountain village. Until, this man revealed to her that he was actually a divine physician with unparalleled medical skills.

Lucy Hope is entrusted to the Flint family and unexpectedly marries Simon Flint.But when he grows close to Joan Lane, Lucy loses faith in their marriage and resolves to devote herself to Westby. When Simon learns of Joan's betrayal and realizes Lucy is about to leave, he rushes to the station, desperate to stop her.