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Downton Abbey
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The Downton Abbey estate stands a splendid example of confidence and mettle, its family enduring for generations and its staff a well-oiled machine of propriety. But change is afoot at Downton--change far surpassing the new electric lights and telephone. A crisis of inheritance threatens to displace the resident Crawley family, in spite of the best efforts of the noble and compassionate Earl, Robert Crawley; his American heiress wife, Cora his comically implacable, opinionated mother, Violet and his beautiful, eldest daughter, Mary, intent on charting her own course. Reluctantly, the family is forced to welcome its heir apparent, the self-made and proudly modern Matthew Crawley himself none too happy about the new arrangements. As Matthew's bristly relationship with Mary begins to crackle with electricity, hope for the future of Downton's dynasty takes shape. But when petty jealousies and ambitions grow among the family and the staff, scheming and secrets--both delicious and dangerous--threaten to derail the scramble to preserve Downton Abbey. Downton Abbey offers a spot-on portrait of a vanishing way of life.
Highest-rated episodes all ranked
- 01
Episode 8A change of circumstance puts Bertie Pelham in the limelight, and Edith must decide whether to conceal her past at all costs or confront the truth and risk losing everything. As both sisters seek their perfect match, hostilities escalate and it is up to Mary to decide if she can ever make peace with Edith - or herself? Spratt proves to be a man of hidden talents and Mr Molesley embarks on a career in teaching, though his first lesson does not quite go to plan. Mrs Patmore's bed and breakfast garners unwanted attention - will the Crawleys come to her aid? - 02
Episode 7Cora makes a discovery that throws the inheritance issue into chaos, and Mary is prompted to keep Matthew waiting for an answer to his proposal. Robert arranges for Mrs Patmore to see an eye specialist, and O'Brien digs up more compromising information about Bates, but the Earl's response comes as a surprise. Thomas leaves the Abbey and Mary exacts vengeance on Edith for her treachery, while the household is rocked by a shocking announcement. - 03
Episode 5An exciting offer for Edith divides opinion, Isobel throws Ethel a lifeline and Anna's perseverance finally pays off. Daisy is unhappy when Alfred takes a keen interest in newly arrived maid Ivy, while Matthew's concerns about the estate grow - but are his protests falling on deaf ears?
Castfull cast & details
Episodes by season
Season01Best season
- S01E01
Episode 1September 26, 2010Costume drama set in an Edwardian country house in 1912, written by Oscar-winning writer Julian Fellowes. The lives of the Crawley family an - S01E02
Episode 2October 3, 2010Everyone is anxious at the arrival of Matthew Crawley, the heir presumptive, but he soon encounters problems settling into his new life in D - S01E03
Episode 3October 10, 2010Cora's attempts at matchmaking are dashed when Mary is smitten not by intended target Evelyn Napier, but by his handsome friend, Turkish att - S01E04
Episode 4October 17, 2010The fair arrives in the village and Mrs Hughes finds herself the centre of speculation when she meets a former suitor who makes her question - S01E05
Episode 5October 24, 2010As the village prepares for the annual flower show, Isobel finds herself in conflict with Violet, and Mary is introduced to a potential suit - S01E06
Episode 6October 31, 2010Sybil's determination to pursue her political leanings lands her in great danger when a fight breaks out at an election results meeting. Mat - S01E07Season's bestEpisode 7November 7, 2010Cora makes a discovery that throws the inheritance issue into chaos, and Mary is prompted to keep Matthew waiting for an answer to his propo
Season02
- S02E01
Episode 1September 18, 2011It is November 1916, and the family and servants are getting the house ready for a concert to raise funds to treat more casualties from the - S02E02
Episode 2September 25, 2011Isobel suggests using Downton as a place of convalescence following a distressing incident at the village hospital. Shell-shocked new valet - S02E03
Episode 3October 2, 2011The wounded officers arrive at Downton and Matthew suggests he bring General Sir Herbert Strutt to inspect the new convalescent home - but B - S02E04
Episode 4October 9, 2011Ethel's flirting with Major Bryant lands her in trouble as preparations get under way for a concert at Downton. Tensions flare between Isobe - S02E05
Episode 5October 16, 2011The entire household is shaken by bad news from the front, and Daisy's relationship with William moves faster than she would like. Meanwhile - S02E06
Episode 6October 23, 2011A Canadian officer is brought to Downton for recuperation and disrupts everything. Ethel hears distressing news, Bates makes another attempt - S02E07
Episode 7October 30, 2011As the residents try to return to normal life following the armistice, a new development stuns them. Meanwhile, Carlisle puts Anna in a diff - S02E08
Season's bestEpisode 8November 6, 2011The wedding approaches and excitement is in the air, but Branson's plans could rattle everyone. Spanish flu reaches the house and a desperat
Season03
- S03E01
Episode 1September 16, 2012Oscar-winning actress Shirley MacLaine joins the cast of the period drama as Cora's mother Martha, who makes a grand entrance when she arriv - S03E02
Episode 2September 23, 2012With the estate's future hanging in the balance, Mary hopes to receive a bailout from her grandmother Martha - and with Violet's help, tries - S03E03
Episode 3September 30, 2012Edith's big day finally arrives, but will her enthusiasm convince the family that Strallan's age doesn't matter? Meanwhile, Mrs Hughes anxio - S03E04
Episode 4October 7, 2012Branson's political views land him in trouble and Sybil's loyalty is tested to the limit, while Ethel makes a difficult decision about her s - S03E05Season's bestEpisode 5October 14, 2012An exciting offer for Edith divides opinion, Isobel throws Ethel a lifeline and Anna's perseverance finally pays off. Daisy is unhappy when
- S03E06
Episode 6October 21, 2012Tempers fray as a kind gesture by Isobel backfires, while Mary fights Branson's corner when his decisions are put under scrutiny. Robert and - S03E07
Episode 7October 28, 2012It's a happy day for Downton as Anna's patience is rewarded, while Edith receives admiration from an unexpected quarter. Matthew refuses to - S03E08
Episode 8November 4, 2012There is excitement throughout the house and nearby village as the annual cricket match draws near, and the event brings out Robert's compet
Season04
- S04E01
Episode 1September 22, 2013Harriet Walter (Law & Order: UK) joins the cast as the costume drama returns. Following Matthew's shocking death, new mother Mary is str - S04E02
Episode 2September 29, 2013Mary begins to emerge from her grief, and takes an interest in the running of the estate. However, her ambitions meet firm resistance from h - S04E03
Episode 3October 6, 2013An extravagant party at the Abbey gives the Crawleys an opportunity to reunite with old friends. Some guests, however, prove more welcome th - S04E04
Episode 4October 13, 2013In the aftermath of the Abbey's eventful party, Mary is forced to answer a pressing question about her future, while Carson reveals surprisi - S04E05
Episode 5October 20, 2013Change is in the air at the Abbey as an exciting opportunity for Alfred creates tension between Ivy and Daisy. Isobel appeals to Violet's se - S04E06
Season's bestEpisode 6October 27, 2013A birthday party is planned for Robert, but Rose's surprise contribution to the event ruffles feathers above and below stairs. A new farming - S04E07
Episode 7November 3, 2013Cora's playboy brother has got himself into a spot of bother and Robert has to make a trip to America to bail him out. Blake and Mary are fo - S04E08
Episode 8November 10, 2013Rosamund comes up with a plan to help Edith out of her predicament, but will Violet see straight through it? Rose is frustrated when things
Season05
- S05E01
Episode 1September 21, 2014 - S05E02
Episode 2September 28, 2014A bombshell was dropped in last week's edition, and it's clear as this episode begins that the household, both upstairs and down, is still c - S05E03
Episode 3October 5, 2014When it comes to the opposite sex, Lady Mary is a little ahead of her time. A foreign diplomat died in her bed during the first series, and - S05E04
Episode 4October 12, 2014We are at the halfway point of the series, and matters are hotting up nicely. Schoolteacher Sarah Bunting continues to wage her one-woman wa - S05E05
Episode 5October 19, 2014There is chemistry aplenty between Richard E Grant and Elizabeth McGovern, perhaps because they previously played a married couple in the BB - S05E06
Episode 6October 26, 2014Following the altercation, relations between Robert and Cora are strained, while Blake's scheming starts to come to fruition when Mary is un - S05E07
Episode 7November 2, 2014Secrets could be exposed as Rosamund arrives at Downton following Edith's shock departure. Rose is delighted to introduce Atticus and his pa - S05E08
Season's bestEpisode 8November 9, 2014Preparations are under way for Rose's wedding, but family tensions on both sides threaten to derail proceedings. Edith's arrangement with Ma
Season06
- S06E01
Episode 1September 20, 20151925. Big changes are afoot. Robert anticipates having to cut costs, and reduce the size of the staff, which worries Carson. Mrs Hughes is n - S06E02
Episode 2September 27, 20151925. The acid-tongued exchanges between Violet and Isobel over the hospital get sharper; Cora sides with Isobel. Mary chides Robert for off - S06E03
Episode 3October 4, 2015May 1925. Cora, told by Mrs Patmore that Mrs Hughes is unhappy with having her wedding breakfast in the hall, forces a meeting with the fami - S06E04
Episode 4October 11, 20151925. Lady Shackleton visits with her nephew Henry Talbot, a racing car driver and another old friend of Mary's. Violet wants her support in - S06E05
Episode 5October 18, 2015Minister of Health Neville Chamberlain visits Downton for dinner, and is drawn into Violet's plan to save the hospital, with distressing con - S06E06
Episode 6October 25, 2015The house is made open to the public to raise money for the hospital, an act that divides opinions among the family and the servants. Tensio - S06E07
Episode 7November 1, 2015Isobel is puzzled to receive an invitation to a wedding between a young lady, Amelia Cruikshank, and Lord Merton's son Larry, since in the p - S06E08Season's bestEpisode 8November 8, 2015A change of circumstance puts Bertie Pelham in the limelight, and Edith must decide whether to conceal her past at all costs or confront the
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