Downton Abbey is a Britishhistorical drama television series set in the early 20th century, created and co-written byJulian Fellowes. It first aired in the United Kingdom onITV on 26 September 2010 and in the United States onPBS, which supported its production as part of itsMasterpiece Classic anthology, on 9 January 2011. The show ran for fifty-two episodes across six series, including five Christmas specials.
The series, set on the fictionalYorkshirecountry estate of Downton Abbey between 1912 and 1926, depicts the lives of thearistocratic Crawley family and theirdomestic servants in the post-Edwardian era, and the effects the great events of the time have on their lives and on theBritish social hierarchy. These events include news of thesinking of theTitanic (first series); the outbreak of theFirst World War, theSpanish influenza pandemic and theMarconi scandal (second series); theIrish War of Independence leading to the formation of theIrish Free State (third series); theTeapot Dome scandal (fourth series); and theBritish general election of 1923 and theBeer Hall Putsch (fifth series). The sixth and final series introduces the rise of the working class during theinterwar period and hints at the eventual decline of theBritish aristocracy.
Downton Abbey has been praised by television critics and receivednumerous accolades, including aGolden Globe Award for Best Miniseries or Television Film and aPrimetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Miniseries or Movie. It was recognised byGuinness World Records as the most critically acclaimed English-language television series of 2011. It earned 27Primetime Emmy Award nominations after its first two series, the most for any international television series in the awards' history.[1] It was the most watched television series on both ITV and PBS, and became the most successful Britishcostume drama since the 1981 television serial ofBrideshead Revisited.[2]
On 26 March 2015,Carnival Films and ITV announced that the sixth series would be the last; it aired on ITV between 20 September 2015 and 8 November 2015. The final episode, the annual Christmas special, was broadcast on 25 December 2015. Afilm adaptation, a continuation of the series, was confirmed on 13 July 2018 and released in the United Kingdom on 13 September 2019, and in the United States on 20 September 2019. A second feature film,Downton Abbey: A New Era, was released in the United Kingdom on 29 April 2022 byUniversal Pictures, and in the United States and Canada on 20 May 2022 byFocus Features.[3] A third and final film set to conclude the series,Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, was released in the UK on 12 September 2025.[4]
| Series | Episodes | Originally released | Ave. UK viewers (millions)[5] | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First released | Last released | ||||
| 1 | 7 | 26 September 2010 (2010-09-26) | 7 November 2010 (2010-11-07) | 9.70 | |
| 2 | 8 | 18 September 2011 (2011-09-18) | 6 November 2011 (2011-11-06) | 11.68 | |
| Special | 25 December 2011 (2011-12-25) | ||||
| 3 | 8 | 16 September 2012 (2012-09-16) | 4 November 2012 (2012-11-04) | 11.91 | |
| Special | 25 December 2012 (2012-12-25) | ||||
| 4 | 8 | 22 September 2013 (2013-09-22) | 10 November 2013 (2013-11-10) | 11.84 | |
| Special | 25 December 2013 (2013-12-25) | ||||
| 5 | 8 | 21 September 2014 (2014-09-21) | 9 November 2014 (2014-11-09) | 10.40 | |
| Special | 25 December 2014 (2014-12-25) | ||||
| 6 | 8 | 20 September 2015 (2015-09-20) | 8 November 2015 (2015-11-08) | 10.42 | |
| Special | 25 December 2015 (2015-12-25) | ||||
The first series, comprising seven episodes, explores the lives of the fictional Crawley family, the hereditaryEarl of Grantham, and their domestic servants at thefamily estate inYorkshire region. The storyline centres on thefee tail, or "entail", governing the titled elite, which endows title and estate exclusively tomale heirs.Common recovery had been developed in the fifteenth century as a means of ending an entail. This did not stop the practice and in the seventeenth century lawyers developedstrict settlement as a means of enforcing entail.[6] TheSettled Land Acts 1882 to 1890 finally allowed strict settlements to be broken by agreement with the next heir, except where he was a minor.
As part of the backstory, the main character, Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham, had resolved his father's past financial difficulties by marrying Cora Levinson, anAmerican heiress. Her considerabledowry is now contractually incorporated into the committal entail in perpetuity; however, Robert and Cora have three daughters and no son.
As the eldest daughter, Lady Mary Crawley had agreed to marry her second cousin Patrick, the son of the then-heir presumptive James Crawley. The series begins the day after thesinking of RMSTitanic on 15 April 1912. The first episode starts as news reaches Downton Abbey that both James and Patrick have perished in the sinking of the ocean liner. The family then learns that a more distant and unknown male cousin, solicitor Matthew Crawley, the son of anupper-middle-class doctor, has become the next heir presumptive. The story initially centres on the relationship between Lady Mary and Matthew, who resists embracing an aristocratic lifestyle, while Lady Mary resists her own attraction to the new heir presumptive.
Of several subplots, one involves John Bates, Lord Grantham's newvalet and formerBoer Warbatman, and Thomas Barrow, an ambitious youngfootman, who resents the former for taking a position he had desired for himself. Bates and Thomas remain at odds as Barrow works to sabotage Bates's every move. After learning Bates had recently been released from prison, Thomas and Miss O'Brien (Lady Grantham'slady's maid) begin a relentless pursuit that nearly ruins the Crawley family in scandal. Barrow – aclosetedhomosexual man – and O'Brien create havoc for most of the staff and family. When Barrow is caught stealing, he hands in hisnotice to join theRoyal Army Medical Corps. Matthew eventually does propose to Lady Mary, but she puts him off when Lady Grantham becomes pregnant, understanding that Matthew would no longer be heir if the baby is a boy. Cora loses the baby after O'Brien, believing she is soon to be fired, retaliates by leaving a bar of soap on the floor next to the bathtub, causing Cora to slip while getting out of the tub, and the fall resulting in a miscarriage. It is later revealed that the miscarried foetus was a male. Although Lady Mary intends to accept Matthew, Matthew believes her reluctance is due to the earlier uncertainty of his heirship and emotionally rescinds his proposal, leaving Lady Mary devastated. The series ends just after theassassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and the outbreak of theFirst World War in August 1914.
.jpg)
The second series comprises eight episodes and runs from theBattle of the Somme in 1916 to the1918 Spanish flu pandemic. During the war, Downton Abbey is temporarily converted into an officers'convalescent hospital.
Matthew, having left Downton, is now aBritish Army officer and has become engaged. His fiancée is Lavinia Swire, the niece of aLiberal minister. William Mason, the second footman, is drafted, even after attempts by the Dowager Countess of Grantham to save him fromconscription. William is taken under Matthew's protection as his personalorderly. Enduring trench warfare and charging against machine guns and artillery, both are injured by an exploding shell. William dies from his wounds, but only after a deathbed marriage to Daisy, thescullery maid. While Daisy does not believe she loves William, she marries him in his last hours as his dying wish and is widowed within half an hour of her marriage. It is not until a brief encounter with the Dowager Countess that she begins to realise that her love was real, but she could not admit it to herself.
Matthew is nowparalysed from the waist down by his battle injury, and seemingly unable to father children. Lavinia remains true to him despite his attempts to set her free, and he finally accepts her devotion. Mary, while acknowledging her feelings for Matthew, becomes engaged to Sir Richard Carlisle, a powerful and overbearing newspaper mogul who was instrumental in uncovering theMarconi scandal, but their relationship is rocky. Bates's estranged wife, Vera, repeatedly causes trouble for John and Anna, who are now engaged. Vera threatens to expose Mary's past scandalous indiscretion, but Carlisle agrees to purchase andkill her story. Embittered, Mrs Bates mysteriously commits suicide with an arsenic pie after a visit by Bates, and he is arrested on suspicion of her murder. Matthew regains the use of his legs, and he and Mary realise they are still in love, but Matthew remains honourably committed to Lavinia after she stood by him during his misfortune. Unknown to them both, Lavinia, ill withSpanish flu, sees and overhears Matthew and Mary admit their love for one another while dancing to a song playing on thephonograph gifted as a wedding present to Matthew and Lavinia.
The Spanish influenza epidemic hits Downton Abbey further with Cora taken seriously ill, as well as Carson, thebutler. During the outbreak, Thomas attempts to make up for his inability to find other employment after the war by making himself as useful as possible and is made Lord Grantham's valet after Bates is arrested. Lavinia dies abruptly, which causes great guilt to both Matthew and Mary. Bates is found guilty of murder and sentenced to death but the sentence iscommuted to life in prison due to Lord Grantham's influence. After a talk with Robert, Mary realises that she must break off her engagement to Carlisle; he and Matthew fight in the drawing room, but in the end Carlisle goes quietly and is never heard from again. The annual Servants' Ball is held at Downton, and Mary and Matthew finally find their way to a marriage proposal on a snowy evening outside the Abbey.
Lady Sybil, the youngest Crawley daughter, beginning to find her aristocratic life stifling, falls in love with Tom Branson, the new chauffeur ofIrish descent with strongsocialist leanings. She is talked out ofelopement by her sisters, but her wayward marriage eventually receives Lord Grantham's reluctant blessing.
Ethel Parks, a new housemaid, is seduced by a wounded officer, Major Bryant. Mrs Hughes, the housekeeper, finds them together in bed and dismisses Ethel, but takes pity on her and helps her when Ethel tells her she is pregnant. She has a baby boy and names him Charlie after his father, but Major Bryant refuses to acknowledge his paternity.
The filming location,Highclere Castle, in reality served as a convalescent home during World War I.[7]
In episode one of the third series, covering 1920 to 1921, preparations are underway for Mary and Matthew's wedding. Tom and Sybil Branson arrive from Ireland, where they now live, to attend the wedding. Also arriving to attend the wedding of her granddaughter is Cora's mother, Martha Levinson, from America. Robert learns that the bulk of the family's fortune (including Cora's dowry) has been lost due to his impetuous investment in theGrand Trunk Railway. Meanwhile Edith has fallen for Sir Anthony Strallan, whom Robert discourages from marrying Edith due to his age and crippled arm. At Edith's insistence, Robert gives in and welcomes Sir Anthony, but even though he loves her, Strallan cannot accept that the Grantham family disapproves of the match, and at the altar announces that he cannot go through with the wedding, devastating Edith. Strallan flees the church and is never heard from again.
Meanwhile, Bates's cellmate plants a small surgical knife in his bedding, but Bates is informed by a fellow prisoner allowing him time to find and hide it (this same small knife is later used by Bates to threaten his cellmate when he had been using his connections through corrupt prison guards to keep a witness from testifying to Bates's innocence of the crime for which he is incarcerated). At Downton, Mrs Hughes finds out she may havebreast cancer, which only some of the household hear about, causing deep concern, but the tumour turns out to bebenign. Tom Branson and Lady Sybil, now pregnant, return to Downton after Tom is implicated in the burning of anAnglo-Irisharistocrat's house during theIrish War of Independence. After Matthew's reluctance to accept an inheritance from Lavinia's recently deceased father and then Robert's reluctance to accept that inheritance as a gift, Matthew and Robert reach a compromise in which Matthew accepts that the inheritance will be used as an investment in the estate, giving Matthew an equal say in how it is run. However, as time goes on Robert repeatedly resists Matthew and Tom's efforts to modernise the running of the estate to make it profitable.
Tragedy strikes when Sybil dies fromeclampsia shortly after giving birth. Tom, devastated, names his daughter Sybil after his late wife. Bates is released from prison after Anna uncovers evidence clearing him of his wife's murder. Tom becomes the newland agent at the suggestion of Violet, the Dowager Countess. Barrow and O'Brien have a falling out, after which O'Brien leads Barrow to believe that Jimmy, the new footman, is sexually attracted to him. Barrow enters Jimmy's room and kisses him while he is sleeping, which wakes him up shocked, confused, and very angry. In the end, Lord Grantham (familiar with homosexuality fromEton) defuses the situation. The family, except Branson, visits Violet's niece Susan, her husband "Shrimpie", theMarquess of Flintshire; and their daughter Rose, inScotland, accompanied by Matthew and a very pregnant Mary. The Marquess confides to Robert that his estate is bankrupt andwill be sold, making Robert recognise that Downton has been saved through Matthew and Tom's efforts to modernise. At Downton, Edna Braithwaite, the new maid, enters Tom's room and kisses him, whereupon he asks her to leave, and she is eventually fired. Mary returns to Downton with Anna and gives birth to the new heir, but Matthew dies in a car crash while driving home from the hospital after seeing his newborn son.
In series four, covering 1922 to 1923, O'Brien leaves to serve Lady Flintshire inBombay. Cora hires Edna Braithwaite, who had previously been fired for her interest in Tom. Eventually the situation blows up, and Edna is replaced by Phyllis Baxter.
Mary deeply mourns Matthew's death. Matthew's newly-found letter states Mary is to be his soleheir and thus gives her management over his share of the estate until their son, George,comes of age. With Tom's encouragement, Mary assumes a more active role in running Downton. Two new suitors—Anthony Foyle and Charles Blake—arrive at Downton, though Mary, still grieving, is not interested. Edith has begun writing a weekly newspaper column, and Michael Gregson, a magazine editor, falls in love with her. Due to British law, he is unable todivorce his wife, who is mentally ill and in an asylum. Gregson travels toGermany to seekcitizenship there, enabling him to divorce, but suddenly disappears after an altercation withHitler'sBrownshirts. Edith is left pregnant and decides to have an illegal abortion, but changes her mind at the last minute. With the help from her paternal aunt, Lady Rosamund, Edith secretly gives birth to a daughter while abroad, and places the baby with adoptive parents inSwitzerland, but reclaims her after arranging a new adoptive family on the estate. Mr and Mrs Drewe of Yew Tree Farm take the baby in and raise her as their own.
Anna is raped by Lord Gillingham's valet Mr Green, which Mr Bates later discovers. Subsequently, Green is killed in a London street accident. A local school teacher, Sarah Bunting, and Tom begin a friendship on grounds of their socialist leanings, which puts him at odds with the Crawleys. The downstairs story also involves alove square between Daisy (now promoted to assistant cook), Ivy (the new kitchen maid) and the two footmen Jimmy and Alfred, which ends up in all parties recognising that they were pursuing the wrong person. At the end, Alfred leaves service at Downton to pursue his desire of becoming achef atthe Ritz and Jimmy is sacked for being found in bed with a guest. In the Christmas special set mainly in London, Sampson, acard sharp, steals a letter written by the futureEdward VIII, thenPrince of Wales, to his mistress, Rose's friendFreda Dudley Ward, which if made public would create a scandal; the entire Crawley family connives to retrieve it, although it is Bates who extracts the letter from Sampson's overcoat, and it is returned to Mrs Dudley Ward. The family hold adebutante ball for Lady Rose following her presentation at the royal court, and the grateful Prince makes an appearance at the ball. At the same time, Cora's mother Martha Levinson comes to London with her son Harold, who has been implicated in theTeapot Dome scandal to visit the Crawleys. At Martha's insistence, Robert travels to the US and testifies on behalf of his brother-in-law before theUS Congress. Ivy leaves Downton to serve Harold as his cook inNew York.
In series five, covering the year 1924, aRussian exile, Prince Kuragin, wishes to renew his past affections for the Dowager Countess (Violet). Violet instead locates his wife inBritish Hong Kong and reunites the Prince and his estranged wife.Scotland Yard and the local police investigate Green's death. Violet learns that Marigold is Edith's daughter. Meanwhile, Mrs Drewe, not knowing Marigold's true parentage, resents Edith's constant visits. To increase his chances with Mary, Charles Blake plots to reunite Gillingham and his ex-fiancée, Mabel. News of Gregson's death in theBeer Hall Putsch reaches Downton. After Edith inherits Michael Gregson's publishing company, she removes Marigold from the Drewes and relocates to London. Simon Bricker, an art expert interested in one of Downton's paintings, shows his true intentions toward Cora and is thrown out by Robert, causing a temporary rift between the couple.
Mrs Patmore's decision to invest her inheritance in real estate inspires Mr Carson, Downton's butler, to do likewise. He suggests that the housekeeper Mrs Hughes invest with him; she confesses she has no money because she is supporting a mentally incapacitated sister. The Crawleys' cousin, Lady Rose, daughter of Lord and Lady Flintshire, becomes engaged to Atticus Aldridge, son of Lord and Lady Sinderby. Lord Sinderby stronglyobjects to Atticus's marrying outside theJewish faith. Lord Merton proposes to Isobel Crawley (Matthew's mother). She accepts, but later ends the engagement as a result of Lord Merton's sons'disparaging comments over her status as acommoner. Lady Flintshire employs underhanded schemes to derail Rose and Atticus's engagement, including announcing to everyone at the wedding that she and her husband are divorcing, intending to cause a scandal to stop Rose's marriage to Atticus; they are married anyway.
When Anna is arrested on suspicion of Green's murder, Bates writes afalse confession before fleeing toIreland. Baxter and Molesley, a footman and Matthew's former valet, are able to prove that Bates was inYork at the time of the murder. This new information allows Anna to be released. Cora eventually learns the truth about Marigold, and wants her raised at Downton; Marigold is presented as Edith'sward, but Robert and Tom eventually discern the truth. Only Mary is unaware. When a war memorial is unveiled in the town, Robert arranges for a separate plaque to honour the cook Mrs Patmore's late nephew, who was shot fordesertion and excluded from his own village's memorial.
The Crawleys are invited to Brancaster Castle, which Lord and Lady Sinderby have rented for a shooting party. While there, Lady Rose, with help from the Crawleys, defuses a personal near-disaster for Lord Sinderby, earning his gratitude and securing his approval of Rose. In the aftermath of the results of the1923 general election, the Crawleysauction off adella Francesca painting. From that money, a second footman, Andy, is hired on Barrow's recommendation. During the annual Downton Abbey Christmas celebration, Tom announces he is moving toBoston to work for his cousin, taking daughter Sybil with him. Mr Carson proposes marriage to Mrs Hughes and she accepts.
_2.jpg)
In series six, changes are once again afoot at Downton Abbey as themiddle class rises and morebankrupted aristocrats are forced to sell off their large estates. Downton must do more to ensure its future survival;reductions in staff are considered, forcing Barrow to look for a job elsewhere. Having formed a close bond with young George, Barrow realises that Downton has become the first real home he has ever had, but feels unwanted. Mary defies a blackmailer, who is thwarted by Robert. With Tom's departure to Boston, Mary becomes theestate agent. Edith is more hands-on in running her magazine and hires a female editor. Violet and Isobel once again draw battle lines as a government take-over of the localcottage hospital is considered. Mary begins seeing Henry Talbot, aracing driver, and Edith begins seeing Bertie Pelham, a cousin of the owner of Brancaster Castle.
Meanwhile, Anna suffers repeated miscarriages. Mary takes her to a specialist, who diagnoses atreatable condition, and she becomes pregnant again. Mr Carson and Mrs Hughes disagree on where to hold their wedding reception, but eventually choose to have it at the schoolhouse, during which Tom reappears with Sybil, having returned to Downton for good. Coyle, who tricked Baxter into stealing a previous employer's jewellery, is convicted after she and other witnesses are persuaded to testify. After Mrs Drewe kidnaps Marigold when Edith is not looking, the Drewes vacate Yew Tree Farm; Daisy convinces Tom to ask Robert to give her father-in-law, Mr Mason, the tenancy. Andy offers to help Mr Mason so he can learn about farming, but Andy is held back by his illiteracy. Barrow offers to teach him to read, but Andy soon trades his help for that of a teacher at the local school.
Robert suffers a near-fatal health crisis. Previous episodes alluded to health problems for Robert; hisulcer bursts and he is rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery. The operation is successful, but Mary and Tom must take over Downton's operations. Larry Merton's fiancée, Amelia, encourages Lord Merton and Isobel to renew their engagement, but Violet rightly becomes suspicious. Violet discovers that Amelia wants Isobel, and not her, to be Lord Merton's caretaker in his old age.[8] Daisy and Molesley score high marks on their academic exams; Molesley's are so exceptional that he is offered a teaching position at the local school. Mary breaks up with Henry, unable to live with the constant fear he could be killed in an accident like Matthew was. Bertie proposes to Edith, but she hesitates to accept because of Marigold. Violet, upset over Cora replacing her as hospital president, abruptly departs for a long cruise to restore her equanimity.
Bertie unexpectedly succeeds his late second cousin as 7thMarquess ofHexham and moves into Brancaster Castle; Edith accepts him. Mary spitefully exposes Marigold's parentage, causing Bertie to walk out. Tom confronts Mary over her malicious behaviour and her true feelings for Henry. Despondent over his inability to find another job and his sense of being unloved, Barrow attemptssuicide, and is saved by Baxter and Andy. Realising the extent of Barrow's pain for the first time, Robert and Carson allow Barrow to stay at Downton while he recovers and searches for new employment. Mary and Henry reunite and are married. Edith returns to Downton for the wedding; she and Mary agree to work on improving their relationship. Mrs Patmore's newbed and breakfast business is tainted by scandal, but saved when Robert, Cora and Rosamund appear there publicly to support her. Mary arranges a surprise meeting for Edith and Bertie with Bertie proposing again. Edith accepts. Edith tells Bertie's moralistic mother Mirada about Marigold; initially appalled, she is won over by Edith's honesty. Barrow, having decided to turn over a new leaf and become a kinder person, finds a position as butler and leaves Downton on good terms, but he is unhappy at his new post; the family and other servants also find themselves missing him.
Lord Merton is diagnosed with terminalpernicious anaemia and Amelia blocks Isobel from seeing him. Goaded by Violet, Isobel pushes into the Merton house and announces she will take Lord Merton to her house to care for and marry him, to his delight. Later, Lord Merton is correctly diagnosed with a non-fatal form ofanaemia. Robert resents Cora's frequent absences as the hospital president, but comes to admire her ability after watching her chair a hospital meeting. Henry and Tom go into business together selling used cars, while Mary announces her pregnancy. Molesley accepts a permanent teaching position and he and Baxter promise to continue seeing each other. Daisy and Andy finally acknowledge their feelings; Daisy decides to move to the farm with Mr Mason, her father-in-law. Carson developspalsy and must retire. Following Robert and Mary's suggestion, Barrow happily returns to Downton as butler, with Carson in an overseeing role. Edith and Bertie are finally married in the series finale, set on New Year's Eve 1925. Anna goes into labour during the reception, and she and Bates become parents to a healthy son.
.jpg)
The main cast of the Crawley family is led byHugh Bonneville as Robert Crawley, the Earl of Grantham, andElizabeth McGovern as his wife Cora Crawley, the Countess of Grantham. Their three daughters are depicted byMichelle Dockery as Lady Mary Crawley (Talbot),Laura Carmichael as Lady Edith Crawley (Pelham) andJessica Brown Findlay as Lady Sybil Crawley (Branson).Maggie Smith is Robert Crawley's mother Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham.Samantha Bond portrays Lady Rosamund Painswick, Robert's sister who resides inBelgrave Square, London.Dan Stevens portrays Matthew Crawley, the new heir, along withPenelope Wilton as his mother, Isobel Crawley, who are brought to Downton.Allen Leech as Tom Branson begins the series as the familychauffeur, but falls in love with Lady Sybil, marries her and later becomes theagent for the estate.David Robb portrays Dr Richard Clarkson, the local town doctor.
Joining the cast in series three isLily James as Lady Rose MacClare, a cousin whose mother is Violet's niece Susan, the Marchioness of Flintshire, and who is sent to live with the Crawleys because her parents are serving the empire in India and, later, remains there because of family problems. In series three and four,Shirley MacLaine portrays the mother of Cora Crawley, Martha Levinson. Suitors for Lady Mary's affections during the series includeTom Cullen as Lord Gillingham,Julian Ovenden as Charles Blake, andMatthew Goode as Henry Talbot. Edith's fiancé and eventual husband Bertie Pelham, 7th Marquess of Hexham, is played byHarry Hadden-Paton.
Downton Abbey's senior household staff are portrayed byJim Carter as Mr Carson, thebutler, andPhyllis Logan as Mrs Hughes, thehousekeeper. Tensions rise whenRob James-Collier, portraying Thomas Barrow, afootman and later avalet andunder-butler, along withSiobhan Finneran as Miss O'Brien, the lady'smaid to the Countess of Grantham (up to series three), plot againstBrendan Coyle as Mr Bates, the valet to the Earl of Grantham, and his love interest and eventual wife, Anna (Joanne Froggatt), lady's maid to Lady Mary.Kevin Doyle plays the unlucky Mr Molesley, valet to Matthew Crawley.Thomas Howes portrays William Mason, the second footman.
Other household staff areRose Leslie as Gwen Dawson, ahousemaid studying to be asecretary in series one.Amy Nuttall plays Ethel Parks, a maid, beginning in series two and three.Matt Milne joined the cast as Alfred Nugent, O'Brien's nephew, the awkward new footman for series three and four, andRaquel Cassidy plays Baxter, Cora's new lady's maid, who was hired to replace Edna Braithwaithe, who was sacked.Ed Speleers plays the dashing James (Jimmy) Kent, the second footman, from series three to five. In series five and sixMichael Fox plays Andy Parker, a replacement footman for Jimmy. In series four, five, and sixAndrew Scarborough plays Tim Drewe, a farmer of the estate, who helps Lady Edith conceal a big secret.
The kitchen staff includeLesley Nicol as Mrs Patmore thecook, andSophie McShera as Daisy, thescullery maid who works her way up to assistant cook having earlier married William Mason.Cara Theobold portrays Ivy Stuart, a kitchen maid, joining the cast for series three and four.
The series is set in Downton Abbey, aYorkshirecountry house, which is the home and seat of theEarl andCountess ofGrantham, along with their three daughters and other family members. Each series follows the lives of thearistocratic Crawley family, their friends, and their servants during the reign of KingGeorge V.
Downton Abbey Crawley family tree | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gareth Neame ofCarnival Films conceived the idea of anEdwardian-era TV drama set in a country house and approached Fellowes, who had won anAcademy Award for Best Writing (Original Screenplay) forGosford Park. The TV seriesDownton Abbey – written and created by Fellowes – was originally planned as a spin-off ofGosford Park, but instead was developed as a stand-alone property inspired by the film, set decades earlier.[9] Although Fellowes was reluctant to work on another project resemblingGosford Park, within a few weeks he returned to Neame with an outline of the first series. Influenced by Edith Wharton'sThe Custom of the Country,[10] Fellowes wrote the scripts; and his wife, Emma, acted as an informalstory editor.[11]
_(cropped_and_squared_up).jpg)
.jpg)
_uncropped.jpg)
Highclere Castle in northHampshire is used for exterior shots of Downton Abbey and most of the interior filming.[12][13][14][15] The kitchen,servants' quarters and working areas, and some of the "upstairs" bedrooms were constructed and filmed atEaling Studios.[16]
Outdoor scenes are filmed in the village ofBampton inOxfordshire. Notable locations include the Church of St Mary the Virgin and the library, which served as the entrance to the cottage hospital.[17] The old rectory in Bampton is used for exterior shots of Isobel Crawley's house, with interior scenes filmed atHall Barn inBeaconsfield atBuckinghamshire.[18]
The fictional village of Downton is said to be located inYorkshire. The towns ofEasingwold,Kirkby Malzeard,Kirkbymoorside,Malton,Middlesbrough,Ripon,Richmond andThirsk, each mentioned by characters in the series, lie inNorth Yorkshire, as does the city of York, whileLeeds—similarly mentioned—lies inWest Yorkshire. Yorkshire media speculated the general location of the fictional Downton Abbey to be somewhere in the triangulated area between the towns of Easingwold, Ripon and Thirsk.[19]
First World Wartrench warfare scenes in France were filmed in a specially constructed replica battlefield for period war scenes near the village ofAkenham in ruralSuffolk.[20]
Many historical locations and aristocratic mansions have been used to film various scenes:
The fictional Haxby Park, the estate Sir Richard Carlisle intends to buy in series two, is part ofWaddesdon Manor inBuckinghamshire.[21]
Byfleet Manor inSurrey is used as the location for theDower house, home to Violet,Dowager Countess of Grantham,[22] whileWest Wycombe Park in Buckinghamshire is used for the interior scenes of Lady Rosamund'sLondon residence in 35,Belgrave Square.[23] A house in Belgrave Square is used for exterior shots.[24]
Inveraray Castle inArgyll, Scotland, doubled as "Duneagle Castle" in the 2012 Christmas special.[25]
Greys Court nearHenley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire was used as the family's secondary property, which they proposed moving into and calling "Downton Place" due to financial difficulties in series three. Also in the third series, Bates's prison scenes were filmed atLincoln Castle inLincolnshire.
Horsted Keynes railway station inSussex is used as Downton station.[26] The station is part of the heritageBluebell Railway.
Bridgewater House in theSt James area of London served as the exterior facade of Grantham House, the family's London home, while the interior scenes were shot inBasildon Park inWest Berkshire.
Hall Barn inBeaconsfield,Buckinghamshire featured as Loxley House, the home of Sir Anthony Strallan.[27]
In the 2013 Christmas special,Lancaster House in London stood in forBuckingham Palace.[28][29]
Alnwick Castle, inNorthumberland, was the filming location used for Brancaster Castle in the 2014 and 2015 Christmas specials, which included filming in Alnwick Castle'sState Rooms, as well as on the castle's grounds, and at the nearby semi-ruined Hulne Abbey on theDuke of Northumberland's parklands inAlnwick.[30]
The 2019 film ofDownton Abbey uses many of the television locations such as Highclere Castle and Bampton, as well as exterior shots filmed atBeamish Museum.[31] TheNorth York Moors Railway was used for railway scenes.[32]
Internationally, scenes were also shot in:
New York, United States
Chicago, United States
Perth, Australia
Port of Spain, Trinidad
Nassau, Bahamas
Kyoto, Japan
The opening music ofDownton Abbey, titled "Did I Make the Most of Loving You?",[33] was composed byJohn Lunn.[34]
A suite version was released on the soundtrack for the show on 19 September 2011 in the UK and later in the US on 13 December 2011. The soundtrack also included the song performed by singerMary-Jess Leaverland,[35] with lyrics written byDon Black.[36]
The rights to broadcastDownton Abbey have been acquired in over 220 countries and territories, and the series has been viewed by a global audience of an estimated 120 million people.[37]
The series first aired on theITV network in the United Kingdom beginning on 26 September 2010, and received its first Britain-wide broadcast when shown onITV3 beginning in February 2011.
STV, the ITV franchisee in central and northernScotland (including theOrkney andShetland islands), originally opted out of showingDownton Abbey, choosing instead to screen a brand-new six-part series ofTaggart, following a long practice of opting out of networked United Kingdom-wide programming on the ITV network.[38] This led to backlash from Scottish viewers, who were frustrated at not being able to watch the programme. Many viewers with satellite or cable television tuned into other regional stations of the ITV network, for exampleITV London, with viewing figures showing this is also commonplace for other ITV programmes.[39]STV announced in July 2011 that it would show the first and second series ofDownton Abbey as part of its autumn schedule.[40] Scottish cast membersPhyllis Logan andIain Glen were both quoted as being pleased with the decision.[41]
In the United States,Downton Abbey was first broadcast in January 2011 onPBS, as part of the 40th season ofMasterpiece.[42] The programme was aired in four 90-minute episodes, controversially requiring PBS to alter the beginning and endpoints of each episode and make other small changes, slightly altering each episode's structure to fit the programme precisely into the allotted running-time.[43][a][b] As part ofMasterpiece, episodes shown on PBS also featuredMasterpiece host (Laura Linney), who introduced each episode, explaining matters such as "theentail" and "Buccaneers"[c] for the benefit of American viewers; this was perceived as condescending by some American critics.[43] PBS editing for broadcasts in the United States continued in the subsequent seasons.[44] The final and sixth season aired in 2016. PBS continued to repeat episodes until 2020, whenNBCUniversal took over the US broadcasting rights for its streaming servicePeacock. The series became available onNetflix in 2021. The series also aired on the E! network in 2022.
In Canada,VisionTV began airing the programme on 7 September 2011;CBC Television repeated the whole series in 2021; Downton Abbey was aired in French onIci Radio-Canada Télé.[45]
In Australia, the first series was broadcast on theSeven Network beginning on 29 May 2011;[46] the second series was broadcast beginning on 20 May 2012;[47] and the third series beginning on 10 February 2013.[48] In New Zealand,Prime began airing the first series on 10 May 2011, the second series on 18 October 2011 and the third series on 18 October 2012.[49]
In Ireland, independent television channelTV3 aired the first series in January and February 2011.[50]
Downton Abbey was broadcast onTMC in France beginning on 11 December 2011.[51]
|
AtMetacritic, which assigns a rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the first series received anaverage score of 91, based on 16 reviews, which Metacritic suggests indicates "universal acclaim".[58] This result earned the show a Guinness World Record in 2011 for "Highest critical review ratings for a TV show", makingDownton Abbey the critically best received TV show in the world.[59]Season 4 ofBreaking Bad surpassedDownton Abbey's record later in the year, with a score of 96, making the first series ofDownton Abbey the second highest rated show of 2011.[60]
The series has been noted for its relatively sympathetic portrayal of thearistocratic family and theclass-based society of early 20th-century Britain. This has led to criticism from the political left and praise from the right.[61]James Fenton wrote inThe New York Review of Books, "it is noticeable that the aristocrats in the series, even the ones who are supposed to be the most ridiculous, never lapse into the most offensive kind of upper-class drawl one would expect of them. Great care has been taken to keep them pleasant and approachable, even when the things they say are sometimes shown to be class-bound and unfeeling."[62]Jerry Bowyer argued inForbes that the sympathy for aristocracy is over-stated, and that the show is simply more balanced than most period dramas, which he believes have had a tendency to demonise or ridicule upper class characters. He wrote thatDownton Abbey shows "there is no inherent need for good TV to be left of center. Stories sympathetic to virtue, preservation of property and admiration of nobility and of wealth can be told beautifully and to wide audiences."[61]
Downton Abbey has been a commercial success and received general acclaim from critics, although some criticise it as superficial,melodramatic or unrealistic. Others defend these qualities as the reason for the show's appeal. David Kamp wrote inVanity Fair that "melodrama is an uncool thing to trade in these days, but then, that's precisely whyDownton Abbey is so pleasurable. In its clear delineation between the goodies and the baddies, in its regulated dosages of highs and lows, the show is welcome counter-programming to the slow-burning despair and moral ambiguity of most quality drama on television right now."[11] In September 2019,The Guardian, which ranked the show 50th on its list of the 100 best TV shows of the 21st century, stated that the show "was TV drama ascomfort blanket: at a time ofausterity, Julian Fellowes's country house epic offered elegantly realised solace in the homilies of the past".[63] Mary McNamara ofLos Angeles Times wrote, "Possibly the best series of the year."[64] Jill Serjeant ofReuters wrote, "There's a new darling in U.S. pop culture."[65] The staff ofEntertainment Weekly wrote, "It's the biggest PBS phenomenon since Sesame Street."[66] David Hinckley ofNew York Daily News wrote, "Maintains its magic touch."[67]
James Parker, writing inThe Atlantic, said, "Preposterous as history, preposterous as drama, the show succeeds magnificently as bad television. The dialogue spins light-operatically along in the service of multiplying plotlets, not too hard on the ear, although now and again a line lands like a tray of dropped spoons. The acting is superb—it has to be."[68] Ben W. Heineman Jr. compared the series unfavourably toBrideshead Revisited, writing "Downton Abbey is entertainment. Its illustrious predecessor in television mega-success about the English upper class,Brideshead Revisited, is art."[69] He noted the lack of character development in Downton. Writing inThe Sunday Times,A. A. Gill said that the show is "everything I despise and despair of on British television:National Trust sentimentality, costumed comfort drama that flogs an embarrassing, demeaning, and bogus vision of the place I live in."[11]
Sam Wollaston ofThe Guardian wrote,
It's beautifully made—handsome, artfully crafted and acted. Smith, who plays the formidable and disdainful Dowager Countess, has a lovely way of delivering words, always spaced to perfection. This is going to be a treat if you like a lavish period drama of a Sunday evening.[70]
While rumoured due to the departure of actorDan Stevens, the death of Matthew Crawley in the 2012 Christmas special drew criticism.[71][72] Fellowes defended the decision stating that they 'didn't really have an option' once Stevens decided to leave.[72] Stevens later said that he had no say in the manner of his character's departure but that he was 'sorry' his character had died on Christmas Day.[73]
The third episode of the fourth series, which aired on 6 October 2013, included a warning at the beginning: "This episode contains violent scenes that some viewers may find upsetting."[74] The episode content, in which Anna Bates was raped, led to more than 200 complaints by viewers to UK television regulatorOfcom,[75] while ITV received 60 complaints directly.[76] On 4 November 2013, Ofcom announced it would not be taking action over the controversy citing the warning given, that the episode was screened after 9 pm, and, that the rape took place 'off-screen'.[77] Series four also introduced a recurring character, black jazz musician Jack Ross, who had a brief romantic affair with Lady Rose. The casting ofGary Carr drew critical accusations ofpolitical correctness in the media. The character of Ross was partially based onLeslie Hutchinson ("Hutch"), a real-life 1920s jazz singer who had an affair with a number of women in high society, among themEdwina Mountbatten.[78][79]
The first episode ofDownton Abbey had a consolidated British audience of 9.2 million viewers, a 32% audience share—making it the most successful new drama on any channel sinceWhitechapel was launched on ITV in February 2009. The total audience for the first episode, including repeats andITV Player viewings, exceeded 11.6 million viewers. This was beaten by the next episode, with a total audience of 11.8 million viewers—including repeats and ITV Player views.Downton Abbey broke the record for a single episode viewing onITV Player.[80]
The second series premiered in Britain on 18 September 2011 in the same 9 pm slot as the first series, with the first episode attracting an average audience of 9 million viewers on ITV1, a 34.6% share.[81] The second episode attracted a similar following with an average of 9.3 million viewers.[citation needed] In January 2012, the PBS premiere attracted 4.2 million viewers, over double the network's average primetime audience of 2 million. The premiere audience was 18% higher than the first series premiere.[82]
The second series ofDownton Abbey gave PBS its highest ratings since 2009. The second series averaged 5.4 million viewers, excluding station replays, DVR viewings and online streaming. The 5.4 million average improved on PBS first series numbers by 25%. Additionally, episodes of series two have been viewed 4.8 million times on PBS's digital portal, surpassing the online viewing numbers of series one by more than 400 per cent. Overall,Downton Abbey-related content has racked up more than 9 million streams across all platforms, with 1.5 million unique visitors, since series 2's 8 January premiere.[83] In 2013,Downton Abbey was ranked the 43rd most well-written TV show of all time by theWriters Guild of America.[84]
The third series premiered in the UK on 16 September 2012 with an average of 9 million viewers (or a 36% audience share).[85]
For the first time in the UK, episode three received an average of more than 10 million viewers (or a 38.2% audience share).[86] Premiering in the US in January 2013, the third series had an average audience of 11.5 million viewers and the finale on 17 February 2013, drew 12.3 million viewers making it the night's highest rating show.[87] Overall, during its seven-week run, the series had an audience of 24 million viewers making it PBS's highest-rated drama of all time.[87]
The fourth series premiered in the UK on 22 September 2013 with an average audience of 9.5 million viewers—the highest ever for one of the drama's debut episodes.[88] It premiered in the US on 5 January 2014, to an audience of at least 10.2 million viewers, outperforming every other drama on that night; it was the largest audience forPBS since the 1990 premiere of theKen Burns documentaryThe Civil War.[89] The second episode attracted an average of 9.6 million UK viewers.[90]
Although Julian Fellowes supports aunited Ireland,[91] there has been criticism of the stereotypicalIrish characters used in the show, specifically the character of Tom Branson's brother, Kieran, portrayed as a rude and boorish drunk.[92]Allen Leech, who plays Tom Branson, defended the series, stating that the show did not portray Irish characters in a pejorative fashion.[92] Branson's character took some criticism in Ireland fromThe Irish Times, which described the character as "an Irish republican turned Downtonian toff."[93]
The character of the Earl of Grantham occasionally expresses negative views about Catholics and is described, byThe Washington Post, as "xenophobic" but "at least historically accurate".[94] Episodes in Season 3 featured Lord Grantham using offensive derogatory terms against Catholics such as the phrase "left-footer" and mocking theCatholic Mass by calling it a "gymnastics display". A dinner scene also features a Protestant minister calling Catholic practices "pagan". Fellowes, himself a Roman Catholic, explained that he chose to address this in terms of "that casual, almost unconscious anti-Catholicism that was found among the upper classes, which lasted well into my growing up years", adding that he "thought it might be interesting" to explore this in the series and described his own experiences where the aristocracy "were happy for you to come to their dances or shoot their pheasants, but there were plenty who did not want you to marry their daughters and risk Catholic grandchildren."[95]
Fellowes has said he tries to be as authentic in his depiction of the period as he can.[11] Despite this, the show features many linguisticanachronisms.[96] The accents of characters have also been questioned, with theReceived Pronunciation of the actors who play the wealthy characters described as "slightly more contemporary" than would be expected among early-20th-century aristocrats; however, this "elicited more natural and unaffected performances from the cast".[97]
In 2010, Fellowes hiredAlastair Bruce, an expert on state and court ritual, as historical adviser.[98] Bruce explains his role as being "here to guide the production and particularly the director as they bring Julian's words to life. That also involves getting the social conduct right, and giving actors a sense of surety in the way they deliver a performance."[98] ActorJim Carter, who plays butler Carson, describes Bruce as the series "etiquette watchdog",[98] and the UK'sDaily Telegraph finished its 2011 profile of Bruce's role stating "Downton's authenticity, it seems, is in safe hands."[99] However, historianSimon Schama criticised the show for historical inaccuracies and "pandering toclichés".[100] Producer Gareth Neame defended the show, saying, "Downton is a fictional drama. It is not a history programme, but a drama of social satire about a time when relationships, behaviour and hierarchy were very different from those we enjoy today."[101]
A "tremendous amount of research" went into recreating the servants' quarters atEaling Studios becauseHighclere Castle, where many of the upstairs scenes are filmed,[102] was not adequate for representing the "downstairs" life at the fictional manor house.[103] Researchers visited nearly 40 English country houses to help inform what the kitchen should look like, and production designer Donal Woods said of the kitchen equipment that "probably about 60 to 70 per cent of the stuff in there is from that period".[102]Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management is an important guide to the food served in the series, but Highclere owner, and author ofLady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey: The Lost Legacy of Highclere Castle, Lady Carnarvon, states that dinner parties in the era "would have been even more over the top" than those shown.[102]Lady Pamela Hicks agreed, stating that "it is ridiculous to think that a weekend party would consist of only fourteen house guests, it would have consisted of at least 40!"[104] However, Carnarvon understood the compromises that must be made for television, and adds, "It's a fun costume drama. It's not a social documentary. Because it's so popular, I think some people take it as historical fact."[102]
The series was made available in its entirety on Netflix in June 2021. It has also been made available onAmazon Prime Video,Peacock, Disney+, the PBS app and PBS.org with a PBS Passport subscription.[105][106]
On 16 September 2011, two days before the UK premiere of the second series, it was reported byAmazon.com that the first series ofDownton Abbey had become the highest selling DVD boxset of all time on the online retailer's website, surpassing popular American programmes such asThe Sopranos,Friends andThe Wire.[107]
The World of Downton Abbey, a book featuring a behind-the-scenes look atDownton Abbey and the era in which it is set, was released on 15 September 2011. It was written byJessica Fellowes (the niece ofJulian Fellowes) and published byHarperCollins.[108][109]
A second book, also written by Jessica Fellowes and published by HarperCollins,The Chronicles of Downton Abbey, was released on 13 September 2012. It is a guide to the show's characters through the early part of the third series.[110]
Four spin-off cookbooks have been published –The Official Downton Abbey Cookbook (2019), which features dishes from the Edwardian period researched by food historian Dr Annie Gray,The Official Downton Abbey Christmas Cookbook (2020) by Regula Ysewijn,The Official Downton Abbey Cocktail Book (2019) and TheOfficial Downton Abbey Afternoon Tea Cookbook (2020).
A soundtrack, featuring music from the series and also new songs, was released byDecca in September 2011. Music byJohn Lunn andDon Black features, with vocals fromMary-Jess Leaverland andAlfie Boe.[108] A second soundtrack was released on 19 November 2012 entitledDownton Abbey: The Essential Collection[111] and a third and final soundtrack, containing two discs, was released on 15 January 2016 entitledDownton Abbey: The Ultimate Collection and featured music spanning from all six seasons of the series including some from the first soundtrack.[112]
Some of the fashion items worn by characters on the show have seen a strong revival of interest in the UK and elsewhere during the show's run, includingstarched collars,midi skirts, beadedgowns, andhunting plaids.[113]
TheEquality (Titles) Bill was an unsuccessful piece of legislation introduced in theUK Parliament in 2013 that would have allowed equal succession of female heirs tohereditary titles and peerages. It was nicknamed the "Downton Abbey law" because it addressed the same issue that affects Lady Mary Crawley, who cannot inherit the estate because it must pass to a male heir.[114]
The decor used onDownton Abbey inspiredUS Representative Aaron Schock to redecorate his congressional offices in a more luxurious style.[115][116][117] He repaid the $40,000 cost of redecoration following scrutiny of his expenses and questions about his use of public money for personal benefit,[118] and subsequently resigned in March 2015.[119]
Due to the show's popularity, there have been a number of references and spoofs on it, such asFamily Guy episode "Chap Stewie", which has Stewie Griffin reborn in a household similar to Downton Abbey, andHow I Met Your Mother episode "The Fortress", where the gang watch a television show calledWoodworthy Manor, which is remarkably similar toDownton Abbey.[120]
A short scene featuring the characters of Sybil and Tom Branson made a screen-in-screen appearance in the movieIron Man 3.
Julian Fellowes'sThe Gilded Age, which debuted onHBO in 2022, portrays New York in the 1880s and how itsold New York society coped with the influx of newly wealthy families.[121][122] While a separate series, Fellowes hinted in interviews that some members of Downton's Crawley family, as well as Martha Levinson, Cora's mother, could appear in the new show.[123][124][125]
On 13 July 2018, afeature-length film was confirmed, with production commencing mid-2018.[126] The film was written byJulian Fellowes and is a continuation of the TV series, with direction byMichael Engler. It was distributed byFocus Features andUniversal Pictures International.[127] The film was released in the United Kingdom on 13 September 2019, with the United States following one week later on 20 September 2019.[128] Filming of a sequel began in April 2021.[129]The film was finally released in the UK on 29 April 2022, and in the US on 20 May.[130] The final film was released in cinemas on 12 September 2025.[131]
| Film | UK release date | Director | Screenwriter | Plot storyline | Producers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Downton Abbey | 13 September 2019 (2019-09-13) | Michael Engler | Julian Fellowes | Set in 1927, it centres around a short royal visit by KingGeorge V andQueen Mary at the Abbey | Julian Fellowes,Gareth Neame and Liz Trubridge |
| Downton Abbey: A New Era | 29 April 2022 (2022-04-29) | Simon Curtis | Set in 1928, it centres around the ramifications of the fact that the Dowager had a brief liason with aFrench aristocrat shortly before Robert's birth. Parallel to this story is also events surrounding the Abbey being using as a shooting location for asilent film. | Gareth Neame and Liz Trubridge | |
| Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale | 12 September 2025 (2025-09-12) | Set in 1930, it centres around the eventual retirement of Robert and the impact of Mary'sdivorce | Julian Fellowes, Gareth Neame and Liz Trubridge |
"It might be quite fun to have a young Violet getting into trouble, and her son, Robert, and daughter, Rosamund, who would be in their early teens in the 1880s," Lord Fellowes said from his home in Dorset.
"I've learned this much, never say never. I'll stick with that as my answer," Fellowes told Deadline with a smile regarding the crossover.
Of course, The Gilded Age is happening 30 years before Downton started, so the only thing you'd be able to see really was for the young Violet (Dame Maggie Smith's character) — well, no, not that young, actually, because her son would be grown up and her son and daughter-in-law would be getting married in about six years' time. So I suppose he'd be about 20 and she'd be about 13. But I'm not quite sure what there is to do with that. But we might, I suppose, reasonably enough see Cora's mother, who was quite a vivid character, if you remember. I haven't made any decision on that, but it's a different world.
| Episodes | |
|---|---|
| Films |
|
| Related | |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
