First Clip of Shirley MacLaine on Downton Abbey

Fans of Downton Abbey have been waiting for this since we first received word that veteran actress Shirley Mac Laine would be appearing in the next season of the Masterpiece Theater drama. The American Film Institute recent held an event to honor the Terms of Endearment actress' extensive body of work and gave the world a sneak peek at the next season. Seriously, she's one of the most accomplished actresses in Hollywood and she'll appear on Downton Abbey Season 3 as Lady Cora's mother, who travels from New York to visit the family at Downton.

Elizabeth McGovern, who plays her daughter on the drama series, introduced a clip from Season 3 in which two matriarchs (MacLaine and Maggie Smith) exchange their pleasantries. It is going to be very interesting to see how these two strong female characters will get along. We all see how the Dowager Countess (Smith) handled Isobel Crawley (Penelope Wilton).

Lexington native Lucy Sharpe will be playing Miss Reid, Martha Levinson's maid, in Season 3.

Thanks to Huffington Post for the video!