Downton Abbey

This article is about the series. For the 2019 film, seeDownton Abbey(film).

Downton Abbeyis a Britishhistorical dramatelevision series set in the early 20th century, created and co-written byJulian Fellowes.It first aired in the United Kingdom onITVon 26 September 2010 and in the United States onPBS,which supported its production as part of itsMasterpiece Classicanthology, on 9 January 2011. The show ran for six series and fifty-two episodes, including five Christmas specials.

Downton Abbey
Genre	Historical drama
Created by	Julian Fellowes
Written by	Julian Fellowes Shelagh Stephenson Tina Pepler
Starring	Hugh Bonneville Jessica Brown Findlay Laura Carmichael Jim Carter Brendan Coyle Michelle Dockery Siobhan Finneran Joanne Froggatt Phyllis Logan Thomas Howes Rob James-Collier Rose Leslie Elizabeth McGovern Sophie McShera Lesley Nicol Maggie Smith Dan Stevens Penelope Wilton Amy Nuttall Kevin Doyle Allen Leech Matt Milne Ed Speleers Lily James David Robb Cara Theobold Raquel Cassidy Tom Cullen Julian Ovenden Michael Fox Matthew Goode Harry Hadden-Paton
Opening theme	"Did I Make the Most of Loving You?"
Composer	John Lunn
Country of origin	United Kingdom
Original language	English
No.of series	6
No.of episodes	52(list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers	Julian Fellowes Gareth Neame Rebecca Eaton
Producers	Liz Trubridge Nigel Marchant
Production location	Highclere Castle
Cinematography	Gavin Struthers
Camera setup	Single-camera
Running time	47–93 minutes
Production companies	Carnival Films WGBH-TV
Original release
Network	ITV
Release	26 September 2010(2010-09-26)– 25 December 2015(2015-12-25)

The series, set on the fictionalYorkshirecountry estateof Downton Abbey between 1912 and 1926, depicts the lives of thearistocraticCrawley family and theirdomestic servantsin 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 pandemicand theMarconi scandal(second series); theIrish War of Independenceleading to the formation of theIrish Free State(third series); theTeapot Dome scandal(fourth series); and theBritish general election of 1923and theBeer Hall Putsch(fifth series). The sixth and final series introduces the rise of the working class during theinterwar periodand hints at the eventual decline of theBritish aristocracy.

Downton Abbeyhas received acclaim from television critics andnumerous accolades,including aGolden Globe Award for Best Miniseries or Television Filmand aPrimetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Miniseries or Movie.It was recognised byGuinness World Recordsas the most critically acclaimed English-language television series of 2011. It earned 27Primetime Emmy Awardnominations after its first two series, the most for any international television series in the awards' history.It was the most watched television series on both ITV and PBS, and became the most successful Britishcostume dramasince the 1981 television serial ofBrideshead Revisited.

On 26 March 2015,Carnival Filmsand 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.A third film is in production.

Plot overview

Main article:List ofDownton Abbeyepisodes

Series	Episodes		Originally aired		Ave. UK viewers (millions)
			First aired	Last aired
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)

Series 1 (2010)

Main article:Downton Abbey (series 1)

Series 1 introduces the Crawley family, headed by the 7thEarl of Grantham(Hugh Bonneville) and his wife Cora (Elizabeth McGovern).

The first series, comprising seven episodes, explores the lives of the fictional Crawley family, the hereditary Earl of Grantham, and their domestic servants. The storyline centres on thefee tail,or "entail", governing the titled elite, which endows title and estate exclusively tomale heirs.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, an American heiress. Her considerabledowryis 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 presumptiveJames Crawley. The series begins the day after thesinking of RMSTitanicon 14/15 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-classdoctor, 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 newvaletand 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 – ahomosexualman in lateEdwardian England– and O'Brien create havoc for most of the staff and family. When Barrow is caught stealing, he hands in hisnoticeto 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 Ferdinandand the outbreak of theFirst World Warin August 1914.

Series 2 (2011)

Main article:Downton Abbey(series 2)

Michelle Dockeryplays Lady Mary Crawley, the eldest Grantham daughter.

Dan Stevensplays Matthew Crawley.

The second series comprises eight episodes and runs from theBattle of the Sommein 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 Armyofficer and has become engaged. His fiancée is Lavinia Swire, the niece of aLiberalminister. 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, thekitchen maid.While Daisy does not believe she loves William, she marries him in his last hours as his dying wish. 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 now paralysed 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, but their relationship is rocky. Bates's 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 andkillher 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 thephonographgifted 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 iscommutedto 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 ofIrishdescent with strongsocialistleanings. She is talked out ofelopementby 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.

Series 3 (2012)

Main article:Downton Abbey(series 3)

Allen Leechplays Tom Branson, the chauffeur who marries into the Crawley family.

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 (Lord Grantham) 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 an Anglo-Irish aristocrat's house. 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 fromeclampsiashortly 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 agentat 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 from Eton) defuses the situation. The family, except Branson, visits Violet's niece Susan, her husband "Shrimpie", theMarquessofFlintshire;and their daughter Rose, inScotland,accompanied by Matthew and a very pregnant Mary. The Marquess confides to Robert that his estate is bankrupt and will 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.

Series 4 (2013)

Main article:Downton Abbey(series 4)

In series four, covering 1922 to 1923, O'Brien leaves to serve Lady Flintshire inBritish India.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 soleheirand 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—Lord Gillingham and Charles Blake—arrive at Downton, though Mary, still grieving, is not interested. Edith, who has begun writing a weekly newspaper column, and Michael Gregson, a magazine editor, fall in love. Due to British law, he is unable todivorcehis wife, who is mentally ill and in an asylum. Gregson travels toGermanyto seekcitizenshipthere, enabling him to divorce, but is killed by Hitler'sBrownshirtsduring riots. 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. In the Christmas special set mainly in London, Sampson, acard sharp,steals a letter written byEdward 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 adebutanteball for Lady Rose following her presentation at court, and the grateful Prince makes an appearance at the ball.

Series 5 (2014)

Main article:Downton Abbey (series 5)

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 Kongand reunites the Prince and his estranged wife.Scotland Yardand 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. 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 head housekeeper Mrs Hughes invest with him; she confesses she has no money due to 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 strongly objects to Atticus's marrying outside theJewish faith.Lord Merton proposes to Isobel Crawley (Matthew's mother). She accepts, but later ends the engagement due to 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 confessionbefore fleeing toIreland.Baxter and Molesley, a footman and Matthew's former valet, are able to prove that Bates was inYorkat 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 forcowardiceand 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. A second footman, Andy, is hired on Barrow's recommendation. During the annual Downton Abbey Christmas celebration, Tom announces he is moving toAmericato work for his cousin, taking daughter Sybil with him. Mr Carson proposes marriage to Mrs Hughes and she accepts.

Series 6 (2015)

Main article:Downton Abbey (series 6)

Highclere Castleas Downton Abbey

In series six, changes are once again afoot at Downton Abbey as themiddle classrises and morebankrupted aristocratsare forced to sell off their large estates. Downton must do more to ensure its future survival;reductions in staffare 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 local hospital is considered. Mary begins seeing Henry Talbot, a racing 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 a treatable 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, a footman, 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; hisulcerbursts 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.Daisy and Molesley score high marks on their academic exams; Molesley's are so exceptional that he is offered a teaching position at the 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 7th Marquess of Hexham 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 breakfastbusiness 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 anaemiaand 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 developspalsyand 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.

Cast and characters

Main article:List ofDownton Abbeycharacters

Penelope Wilton(left) plays Isobel Crawley;Jim Carterplays the butler, Mr Carson.

Robert James-Collierplays the footman turned under-butler, Mr Thomas Barrow.

The main cast of the Crawley family is led byHugh Bonnevilleas Robert Crawley, the Earl of Grantham, andElizabeth McGovernas his wife Cora Crawley, the Countess of Grantham. Their three daughters are depicted byMichelle Dockeryas Lady Mary Crawley (Talbot),Laura Carmichaelas Lady Edith Crawley (Pelham) andJessica Brown Findlayas Lady Sybil Crawley (Branson).Maggie Smithis Robert Crawley's mother Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham.Samantha Bondportrays Lady Rosamund Painswick, Robert's sister who resides inBelgrave Square,London.Dan Stevensportrays Matthew Crawley, the new heir, along withPenelope Wiltonas his mother, Isobel Crawley, who are brought to Downton.Allen Leechas Tom Branson begins the series as the familychauffeur,but falls in love with Lady Sybil, marries her and later becomes theagentfor the estate.David Robbportrays Dr Richard Clarkson, the local town doctor.

Joining the cast in series three isLily Jamesas 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 MacLaineportrays the mother of Cora Crawley, Martha Levinson. Suitors for Lady Mary's affections during the series includeTom Cullenas Lord Gillingham,Julian Ovendenas Charles Blake, andMatthew Goodeas 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 Carteras Mr Carson, thebutler,andPhyllis Loganas Mrs Hughes, thehousekeeper.Tensions rise whenRob James-Collier,portraying Thomas Barrow, afootmanand later avaletandunder-butler,along withSiobhan Finneranas Miss O'Brien, the lady'smaidto the Countess of Grantham (up to series three), plot againstBrendan Coyleas 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 Doyleplays the unlucky Mr Molesley, valet to Matthew Crawley.Thomas Howesportrays William Mason, the second footman.

Other household staff areRose Leslieas Gwen Dawson, ahousemaidstudying to be asecretaryin series one.Amy Nuttallplays Ethel Parks, a maid, beginning in series two and three.Matt Milnejoined the cast as Alfred Nugent, O'Brien's nephew, the awkward new footman for series three and four, andRaquel Cassidyplays Baxter, Cora's new lady's maid, who was hired to replace Edna Braithwaithe, who was sacked.Ed Speleersplays the dashing James (Jimmy) Kent, the second footman, from series three to five. In series five and sixMichael Foxplays Andy Parker, a replacement footman for Jimmy. In series four, five, and sixAndrew Scarboroughplays Tim Drewe, a farmer of the estate, who helps Lady Edith conceal a big secret.

The kitchen staff includeLesley Nicolas Mrs Patmore thecook,andSophie McSheraas Daisy, thescullery maidwho works her way up to assistant cook having earlier married William Mason.Cara Theoboldportrays Ivy Stuart, a kitchen maid, joining the cast for series three and four.

Crawley family

The series is set in Downton Abbey, aYorkshirecountry house,which is the home and seat of theEarlandCountessofGrantham,along with their three daughters and other family members. Each series follows the lives of thearistocraticCrawley family, their friends, and their servants during the reign of KingGeorge V.

Downton Abbey Crawley family tree

3rd Earl of Grantham (deceased) Countess of Grantham (deceased) The HonMr Crawley (deceased) wife (deceased) 4th Earl of Grantham (deceased) Countess of Grantham (deceased) Mr Crawley (deceased) wife (deceased) 5th Earl of Grantham (deceased) Countess of Grantham (deceased) Mr Crawley (deceased) wife The HonMr Crawley (deceased) wife Patrick Crawley 6th Earl of Grantham(deceased) Violet Crawley Dowager Countess of Grantham (deceased) Isidore Levinson (deceased) Martha Levinson Roberta husband Dr. Reginald Crawley (deceased) Isobel Grey Baroness Merton (formerly Mrs Crawley, née Turnbull) Richard "Dickie"Grey Baron Merton James Crawley (deceased) wife Lady Rosamund Painswick (née Crawley) Sir Marmaduke Painswick (deceased) Robert Crawley 7th Earl of Grantham Cora Crawley Countess of Grantham (née Levinson) Harold Levinson Susan MacClare Marchioness of Flintshire Hugh "Shrimpie"MacClare Marquess of Flintshire Patrick Crawley (presumed dead) Matthew Crawley Heir presumptive of Robert Crawley. Died with issue. Lady Mary Josephine Talbot (née Crawley) Henry Talbot Michael Gregson Natural father of Marigold (deceased) Edith Violet Pelham Marchioness of Hexham (née Crawley) Herbert "Bertie"Pelham 7th Marquess of Hexham Tom Branson Lady Sybil Cora Branson (née Crawley) (deceased) The HonAtticus Aldridge Heir to Daniel Aldridge, 1st Lord Sinderby Lady Rose Aldridge (née MacClare) James MacClare Earl of Newtonmore Lady Abigail (née MacClare) George Crawley Heir and son of Matthew Crawley and heir presumptive of Robert Crawley Caroline Talbot Marigold Crawley Sybil "Sybbie"Branson Victoria Rachel Cora Aldridge Explanatory notes and reference sources

Production

Gareth NeameofCarnival Filmsconceived the idea of anEdwardian-eraTV 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.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,Fellowes wrote the scripts; and his wife, Emma, acted as an informalstory editor.

Filming locations

• Downton Abbeyfilming locations
• 
  Highclere Castle,Hampshire
  (Downton Abbey, interior and exterior)
• 
  Byfleet Manor,Surrey
  (theDower House)
• 
  Bampton, Oxfordshire
  (Downton village)
• 
  St Mary's Church, Bampton
  (St Michael and All Angels, Downton)
• 
  Bampton Library, Bampton
  (DowntonCottage Hospital)
• 
  Churchgate House (the oldrectory), Bampton
  (Crawley House)
• 
  Kingston BagpuizeHouse,Oxfordshire
  (Cavenham Park)
• 
  Bridgewater House, Westminster,London
  (Grantham House)
• 
  Inveraray Castle,Argyll
  (Duneagle Castle, home of the fictional Lord and Lady Flintshire)
• 
  Beamish Museum,County Durham
  (York, 2019 film)

Highclere Castle in northHampshireis used for exterior shots of Downton Abbey and most of the interior filming.The kitchen,servants' quartersand working areas, and some of the "upstairs" bedrooms were constructed and filmed atEaling Studios.Bridgewater Housein the St James area of London served as the family's London home.

Outdoor scenes are filmed in the village ofBamptoninOxfordshire.Notable locations include the Church of St Mary the Virgin and the library, which served as the entrance to the cottage hospital.The old rectory in Bampton is used for exterior shots of Isobel Crawley's house, with interior scenes filmed at Hall Place nearBeaconsfieldinBuckinghamshire.

The fictional Downton Abbey is said to be located inYorkshire.The towns ofEasingwold,Kirkby Malzeard,Kirkbymoorside,Malton,Middlesbrough,Ripon,RichmondandThirsk,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.

First World Wartrench warfarescenes in France were filmed in a specially constructed replica battlefield for period war scenes near the village ofAkenhamin ruralSuffolk.

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 ManorinBuckinghamshire.Byfleet ManorinSurreyis the location for theDower house,home to Violet,DowagerCountess of Grantham,whileWest Wycombe ParkinBuckinghamshireis used for the interior scenes of Lady Rosamund (Samantha Bond)'sLondonresidence inBelgrave Square.A house in Belgrave Square is used for exterior shots.

The farm scenes in series two in which Lady Edith learns to drive a tractor as part of the war effort were filmed on location at theChiltern Open Air Museumin Buckinghamshire.

Inveraray CastleinArgyll,Scotland, doubled as "Duneagle Castle" in the 2012 Christmas special.

Greys CourtnearHenley-on-ThamesinOxfordshirewas 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 CastleinLincolnshire.

Horsted Keynes railway stationinSussexis used as Downton station.The station is part of the heritageBluebell Railway.St Pancrasstation inLondondoubled forKing's Crossstation in episode one of series four, in the scene where Lady Edith Crawley meets her lover Michael Gregson.The restaurant scene where Lady Edith meets Michael Gregson and where they share their kiss was filmed at theCriterion RestaurantinPiccadilly Circuswhich was originally opened in 1874.

Bridgewater House in the St James area of London served as the family's London home. Outdoor scenes are filmed in the village of Bampton in Oxfordshire. Notable locations include St Mary's the Virgin Church and the library, which served as the entrance to the cottage hospital. The old rectory in Bampton is used for exterior shots of Isobel Crawley's house, with interior scenes filmed atHall Barn,Hall Place near Beaconsfield in Buckinghamshire, featured as Loxley House, the home of Sir Anthony Strallan.

Parts of series four were filmed atThe Historic Dockyard Chatham,Kent– The Tarred Yarn Store was used in episode one as a workhouse where Mrs Hughes (Phyllis Logan) visits Mr Grigg (Nicky Henson) and in episode two, streets atThe Historic Dockyard Chathamwere used for the scenes where Lady Rose MacClare (Lily James) is at the market with James Kent (Ed Speleers) watching her.The production had previously filmed inKentfor series one where the opening sequence of a train going through the countryside was filmed at theKent & East Sussex Railway.

Other filming locations for series four include the ballroom of The Savile Club inMayfair,London.

Scenes for the 2013 Christmas special were filmed atRoyal Holloway, University of LondonnearEgham,Surrey,West Witteringbeach inWest Sussexand Berkshire'sBasildon ParknearStreatley.Lancaster Housein London stood in forBuckingham Palace.

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.

In series five and six, Kingston Bagpuize House in Oxfordshire was used as the location for Cavenham Park, the home of Lord Merton.In series six, the scenes of motor racing atBrooklandswere filmed at theGoodwood Circuitin West Sussex. In 2015, Wayfair.co.uk published a map of 70+ Downton Abbey filming locations.

The 2019 film ofDownton Abbeyuses many of the television locations such as Highclere Castle and Bampton, as well as exterior shots filmed atBeamish Museum.TheNorth York Moors Railwaywas used for railway scenes.

Opening theme music

The opening music ofDownton Abbey,titled "Did I Make the Most of Loving You?",was composed byJohn Lunn.

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,with lyrics written byDon Black.

Broadcasts

The rights to broadcastDownton Abbeyhave been acquired in over 220 countries and territories, and the series has been viewed by a global audience of an estimated 120 million people.

United Kingdom

The series first aired on theITV networkin the United Kingdom beginning on 26 September 2010, and received its first Britain-wide broadcast when shown onITV3beginning in February 2011.

STV,the ITV franchisee in central and northernScotland(including theOrkneyandShetlandislands), 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.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. STV announced in July 2011 that it would show the first and second series ofDownton Abbeyas part of its autumn schedule.Scottish cast membersPhyllis LoganandIain Glenwere both quoted as being pleased with the decision.

United States

In the United States,Downton Abbeywas first broadcast in January 2011 onPBS,as part of the 40th season ofMasterpiece.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.As part ofMasterpiece,episodes shown on PBS also featuredMasterpiecehost (Laura Linney), who introduced each episode, explaining matters such as "theentail"and" Buccaneers "for the benefit of American viewers; this was perceived as condescending by some American critics.PBS editing for broadcasts in the United States continued in the subsequent seasons.The final and sixth season aired in 2016. PBS continued to repeat episodes until 2020, whenNBC Universaltook over the US broadcasting rights for its streaming servicePeacock.The series became available onNetflixin 2021. The series also aired on the E! network in 2022.

Canada

In Canada,VisionTVbegan airing the programme on 7 September 2011;CBC Televisionrepeated the whole series in 2021; Downton Abbey was aired in French onIci Radio-Canada Télé.

Australia and New Zealand

In Australia, the first series was broadcast on theSeven Networkbeginning on 29 May 2011;the second series was broadcast beginning on 20 May 2012;and the third series beginning on 10 February 2013.In New Zealand,Primebegan airing the first series on 10 May 2011, the second series on 18 October 2011 and the third series on 18 October 2012.

Ireland

In Ireland, independent television channelTV3aired the first series in January and February 2011.

France

Downton Abbeywas broadcast onTMCin France beginning in 11 December 2011.

Reception

Critical response

Metacriticratings per series

Series 1 Series 2 Series 3 Series 4 Series 5 Series 6 Rating 91 85 83 72 75 76

AtMetacritic,which assigns a rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the first series received anaveragescore of 91, based on 16 reviews, which indicates "universal acclaim".This result earned the show a Guinness World Record in 2011 for "Highest critical review ratings for a TV show", makingDownton Abbeythe critically best received TV show in the world.Season 4 ofBreaking BadsurpassedDownton Abbey's record later in the year, with a score of 96, making the first series ofDownton Abbeythe second highest rated show of 2011.

The series has been noted for its relatively sympathetic portrayal of thearistocraticfamily and the class-based society of early 20th century Britain. This has led to criticism from the political left and praise from the right.James Fentonwrote 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."Jerry Bowyerargued inForbesthat 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 Abbeyshows "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."

Downton Abbeyhas been a commercial success and received general acclaim from critics, although some criticise it as superficial,melodramaticor unrealistic. Others defend these qualities as the reason for the show's appeal. David Kamp wrote inVanity Fairthat "melodrama is an uncool thing to trade in these days, but then, that's precisely whyDownton Abbeyis 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. "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 as comfort blanket: at a time of austerity, Julian Fellowes's country house epic offered elegantly realised solace in the homilies of the past".Mary McNamara ofLos Angeles Timeswrote, "Possibly the best series of the year."Jill Serjeant ofReuterswrote, "There's a new darling in U.S. pop culture."The staff ofEntertainment Weeklywrote, "It's the biggest PBS phenomenon since Sesame Street."David Hinckley ofNew York Daily Newswrote, "Maintains its magic touch."

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."Ben W. Heineman Jr. compared the series unfavourably toBrideshead Revisited,writing "Downton Abbeyis entertainment. Its illustrious predecessor in television mega-success about the English upper class,Brideshead Revisited,is art. "He noted the lack of character development in Downton. Writing inThe Sunday Times,A. A. Gillsaid that the show is "everything I despise and despair of on British television:National Trustsentimentality, costumed comfort drama that flogs an embarrassing, demeaning, and bogus vision of the place I live in. "

Sam Wollaston ofThe Guardianwrote,

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.

While rumoured due to the departure of actorDan Stevens,the death of Matthew Crawley in the 2012 Christmas special drew criticism.Fellowes defended the decision stating that they 'didn't really have an option' once Stevens decided to leave.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.

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."The episode content, in which Anna Bates was raped, led to more than 200 complaints by viewers to UK television regulatorOfcom,while ITV received 60 complaints directly.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'.Series four also introduced a recurring character, black jazz musician Jack Ross, who had a brief romantic affair with Lady Rose. The casting ofGary Carrdrew critical accusations ofpolitical correctnessin 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.

Ratings

The first episode ofDownton Abbeyhad a consolidated British audience of 9.2 million viewers, a 32% audience share—making it the most successful new drama on any channel sinceWhitechapelwas launched on ITV in February 2009. The total audience for the first episode, including repeats andITV Playerviewings, 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 Abbeybroke the record for a single episode viewing onITV Player.

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.The second episode attracted a similar following with an average of 9.3 million viewers.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.

The second series ofDownton Abbeygave 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.In 2013,Downton Abbeywas ranked the 43rd most well-written TV show of all time by theWriters Guild of America.

The third series premiered in the UK on 16 September 2012 with an average of 9 million viewers (or a 36% audience share).

For the first time in the UK, episode three received an average of more than 10 million viewers (or a 38.2% audience share).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.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.

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.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 forPBSsince the 1990 premiere of theKen BurnsdocumentaryThe Civil War.The second episode attracted an average of 9.6 million UK viewers.

Awards and nominations

Main article:List of awards and nominations received byDownton Abbey

Cultural reaction

Although Julian Fellowes supports aunited Ireland,there has been criticism of the stereotypicalIrish charactersused in the show, specifically the character of Tom Branson's brother, Kieran, portrayed as a rude and boorish drunk.Allen Leech,who plays Tom Branson, defended the series, stating that the show did not portray Irish characters in a pejorative fashion.Branson's character took some criticism in Ireland fromThe Irish Times,which described the character as "an Irish republican turned Downtonian toff."

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".Episodes in Season 3 featured Lord Grantham using offensive derogatory terms against Catholics such as the phrase "left-footer" and mocking theCatholic Massby 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."

Authenticity

Downton AbbeycreatorJulian Fellowes

Fellowes has said he tries to be as authentic in his depiction of the period as he can.Despite this, the show features many linguisticanachronisms.The accents of characters have also been questioned, with theReceived Pronunciationof 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".

In 2010, Fellowes hiredAlastair Bruce,an expert on state and court ritual, as historical adviser.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."ActorJim Carter,who plays butler Carson, describes Bruce as the series "etiquette watchdog",and the UK'sDaily Telegraphfinished its 2011 profile of Bruce's role stating "Downton's authenticity, it seems, is in safe hands."However, historianSimon Schamacriticised the show for historical inaccuracies and "pandering toclichés".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."

A "tremendous amount of research" went into recreating the servants' quarters atEaling StudiosbecauseHighclere Castle,where many of the upstairs scenes are filmed,was not adequate for representing the "downstairs" life at the fictional manor house.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".Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Managementis 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.Lady Pamela Hicksagreed, 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!"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."

Home media

Streaming

The series was made available in its entirety on Netflix in June 2021. It has also been made available onAmazon Prime Video,Peacock,the PBS app and PBS.org with a PBS Passport subscription.

Blu-ray and DVD

On 16 September 2011, two days before the UK premiere of the second series, it was reported byAmazonthat the first series ofDownton Abbeyhad become the highest selling DVD boxset of all time on the online retailer's website, surpassing popular American programmes such asThe Sopranos,FriendsandThe Wire.

Books

The World of Downton Abbey,a book featuring a behind-the-scenes look atDownton Abbeyand 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.

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.

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).

Soundtracks

Main articles:Downton Abbey: Original Music from the Television Series,Downton Abbey: The Essential Collection,andDownton Abbey: The Ultimate Collection

A soundtrack, featuring music from the series and also new songs, was released byDeccain September 2011. Music byJohn LunnandDon Blackfeatures, with vocals fromMary-Jess LeaverlandandAlfie Boe.A second soundtrack was released on 19 November 2012 entitledDownton Abbey: The Essential Collectionand a third and final soundtrack, containing two discs, was released on 15 January 2016 entitledDownton Abbey: The Ultimate Collectionand featured music spanning from all six seasons of the series including some from the first soundtrack.

Cultural impact

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.

TheEquality (Titles) Billwas an unsuccessful piece of legislation introduced in theUK Parliamentin 2013 that would have allowed equal succession of female heirs tohereditary titles and peerages.It was nicknamed the "Downton Abbeylaw "because it addressed the same issue that affects Lady Mary Crawley, who cannot inherit the estate because it must pass to a male heir.

The decor used onDownton AbbeyinspiredUS Representative Aaron Schockto redecorate his congressional offices in a more luxurious style.He repaid the $40,000 cost of redecoration following scrutiny of his expenses and questions about his use of public money for personal benefit,and subsequently resigned in March 2015.

Other media

Due to the show's popularity, there have been a number of references and spoofs on it, such asFamily Guyepisode "Chap Stewie",which has Stewie Griffin reborn in a household similar to Downton Abbey, andHow I Met Your Motherepisode "The Fortress",where the gang watch a television show calledWoodworthy Manor,which is remarkably similar toDownton Abbey.

A short scene featuring the characters of Sybil and Tom Branson made a screen-in-screen appearance in the movieIron Man 3.

The Gilded Age

Main article:The Gilded Age(TV series)

Julian Fellowes'sThe Gilded Age,which debuted onHBOin 2022, portrays New York in the 1880s and how itsold New York societycoped with the influx of newly wealthy families.While a separate series, a young Violet, Countess of Grantham, couldmake an appearance on the new show.

Film adaptations

On 13 July 2018, a feature-length film was confirmed, with production commencing mid-2018.The film was written byJulian Fellowesand is a continuation of the TV series, with direction byBrian Percival.It was distributed byFocus FeaturesandUniversal Pictures International.The film was released in the United Kingdom on 13 September 2019, with the United States following one week later on 20 September 2019.Filming of a sequel began in April 2021.The film was finally released in the UK on 29 April 2022, and in the US on 20 May.

In March 2024,Imelda Staunton,who plays Lady Maud Bagshaw in the first two films, and is married toJim Carter(butler Mr Carson), revealed onBBC Radio 2that athird and final filmis in the pipeline.On 13 May 2024 it was announced on social media and the Focus Films website that a third film is planned, withPaul Giamatti,Joely Richardson,Alessandro Nivola,Simon Russell BealeandArty Froushanjoining the cast.On 26 June 2024 it was announced that the film would be released in cinemas on 12 September 2025.

Film	UK release date	Director	Screenwriter	Producer(s)
Downton Abbey	13 September 2019(2019-09-13)	Michael Engler	Julian Fellowes	Julian Fellowes,Gareth Neameand Liz Trubridge
Downton Abbey: A New Era	29 April 2022(2022-04-29)	Simon Curtis		Gareth Neame and Liz Trubridge
Untitled third movie	12 September 2025(2025-09-12)			Julian Fellowes,Gareth Neameand Liz Trubridge

See also

• List of awards and nominations received byDownton Abbey
• The Cherry Orchard
• The Duchess of Duke Street
• Gosford Park
• The Shooting Party
• The Remains of the Day
• Upstairs, Downstairs

Further reading

• Fellowes, Jessica;Sturgis, Matthew (2012).The Chronicles of Downton Abbey.Foreword by Julian Fellowes, photography by Joss Barratt, Nick Briggs, and Giles Keyte. London, UK: Collins.ISBN978-0-00-745325-2.OCLC811576487.The companion book covering the characters, through the early part of the third series.
• Fellowes, Jessica(2011).The World of Downton Abbey.Foreword by Julian Fellowes, photography by Nick Briggs. New York: St. Martin's Press.ISBN978-1-250-00634-9.OCLC727704121.Retrieved25 October2015.The companion book to the first and second series. Includes an extensive further reading section.
• Fellowes, Julian(2013).Downton Abbey: The Complete Scripts: Season One.New York: William Morrow.ISBN978-0-06-223831-3.OCLC795761131.
• Fellowes, Julian(2013).Downton Abbey: The Complete Scripts: Season Two.New York: William Morrow.ISBN978-0-06-224135-1.OCLC828844711.
• Fellowes, Julian(2014).Downton Abbey: The Complete Scripts: Season Three.New York: William Morrow.ISBN978-0-06-224137-5.OCLC870982733.
• MacColl, Gail; Wallace, Carol McD. (1989).To Marry an English Lord or, How Anglomania Really Got Started.New York: Workman Publishing.ISBN978-0-89480-939-2.OCLC243431665.Gives a background on the preceding period, especially for Cora, Countess of Grantham, who is one of the "Buccaneers". Reprinted as:
  • To Marry an English Lord: Tales of Wealth and Marriage, Sex and Snobbery.New York: Workman Publishing Company. 2012.ISBN978-0-7611-7195-9.OCLC779399305.Retrieved25 October2015.
• Rowley, Emma (2013).Behind the Scenes at Downton Abbey.Foreword by Gareth Neame; photography by Nick Briggs. New York: St. Martin's Press.ISBN978-1-250-04790-8.OCLC862880131.The official companion book to series 1–4.
• Coberly, Daniel(2019).Sovereigns, Dynasties, and Nobility.Italian Heritage Press.ISBN978-1733945813.

External links

• Official website
• Downton AbbeyonBritannica encyclopedia
• Downton Abbeyat Emmys
• Downton AbbeyArchived30 December 2016 at theWayback MachineonPBS Masterpiece
• Downton AbbeyatIMDb
• Downton Abbeyatepguides