When Downton Abbey first premiered in 2010, I knew I'd found a historical drama that would stay with me forever. It ran for six seasons with some spectacular Christmas specials that were an absolute delight.
When the sixth season ended, I couldn't just let it go and many fans felt the same. The story, the setting and the characters are such that they linger in your mind for a long time after watching. So when the creator and co-writer, Julian Fellowes, announced that a feature film was in the works, the excitement online was huge.
Fans were elated and the first feature film turned out impressively. Then came the second film and we thought that was the end (following the death of a major character) until the announcement last year that the grand finale would air this year.
It was a bittersweet moment for me when the film became available for home viewing. It was great to see these actors grow alongside this series that quickly turned into captivating films, yet sad knowing it's the last time we would see them in this historical setting.
Set in the early 20th century, Downton Abbey focused on the lives of an elite family who resided upstairs in their stately mansion and their servants who stayed downstairs. The head of the family was Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham married to an American heiress, Lady Grantham. They had three girls - Lady Mary, Lady Edith and Lady Sybil.
The series began with the quest of finding a reputable husband for Lady Mary who would essentially be the heir to the Grantham estate. The inheritance law at that time was not in favour of the women and so this family found a way around it.
It was riveting getting to know each character, what they stood for, their strengths, weaknesses amongst other things. It was essentially about watching people in that era live and strive to survive in a world that was constantly evolving. It was easy to like and root for some characters and just as easy to dislike others.
Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale (2025), the third feature film, wrapped up the entire saga and left me a sentimental mess. It's an elegant farewell that ties up every character's story in a very satisfying way.
I'd always admired Lady Edith's tenacity and strength but in this finale, she became a confident and poised queen in control of her life whilst protecting her family. She showed up for Lady Mary more than the latter ever did for her.
Spotlights were cast on issues such as divorced women being treated as pariahs in the society, the preservation and continuity of Grantham estate and whether a divorced woman was fit to rule. It's easy now to view such thinking as archaic (though in some parts of the world, divorced women still face discrimination) but I can only imagine what such people must have endured in that era.
On about three occasions in the series, the family's wealth came so close to being lost. In this finale, we face something similar involving an American swindler. Thanks to Tom Branson and Lady Edith, the situation was swiftly handled and their family fortune was once again secured.
This film gives its fans an emotional and satisfying conclusion that honours the past while the characters find their places in their evolving society. I especially love how Julian Fellowes framed the final scene - a flashback montage that brought back nostalgic memories of characters who left indelible marks on the great house and our hearts as well.
The Downton Abbey series and films are one of the best shows that I've seen so far. It's a masterpiece classic that will live rent-free in my head until I'm old and grey.
I'd give this film 4.5 stars out of 5. If you want to see this film, I'd recommend watching the whole six seasons, their Christmas specials and the two feature films before this one.
And so, I echo alongside Lady Mary Talbot - long live Downton Abbey!
Thumbnail Image, Fair Use
Other images are screenshots from the movie