Is this truly the end of an era? The final instalment of Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale hits theatres this Friday, September 12th. But The Social Diary got a sneak peak in two continents. With multiple screenings, and our frequent flyer miles in tow, this story is definitely a “spoiler.” So, if you don’t like surprises, do not read beyond this opening paragraph.
Recap and Opening Credits
Whether seated for the Premier or in theatre on opening day, audiences will delight with a trip down memory lane. Before the opening credits, Hugh Bonneville and Michelle Dockery recapped Downtown Abbey: A New Era (2022). In that film, the audience experienced major character arcs and the death of the matriarch, the Dowager Countess.
Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale is a farewell and remembrance of all that came before it. A fitting tribute to the great Dame Maggie Smith who died on September 27, 2024. with the recap creating a bridge between the two films.
The portrait of the Dowager Countess prominently featured in the 2022 instalment adds continuity in Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale. Indeed, the juxtaposition of Lady Mary and the Dowager’s portrait at the end of The Grand Finale is quite striking. This is especially poignant when Lady Mary looks around the Great Hall, with flashbacks on screen starting with her dance with Matthew Crawley and the servants’ Christmas event where he proposed. Lady Sybil Crawley also makes an appearance in flashback.
In addition, do not miss the ending credits. There is a special treat in stored that ties up this beautiful “love letter” to the fans.
Moreover, the introduction by Hugh Bonneville (The Earl of Grantham) and Michelle Dockery (Lady Mary Talbot) is the “passing of the torch” moment, a theme that resonates throughout the film.
Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale
In acting, we often discuss character arcs as a journey. Throughout the six series (seasons) and three films, the upstairs/downstairs dynamics are ever shifting. Here are some major character shifts that occurred at the beginning of Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale.
Lady Mary Talbot (Née Crawley), Honourifics and Titles
The film starts with a “scandal” headlined “Divorce in High Places.” Lady Mary Talbot is a divorcée. We also discover that Henry Talbot, a womanising, fast car loving, and neglectful husband filed for the divorce, not Lady Mary. She received the divorce decree prior to attending Lady Petersfield’s (Joley Richardson) ball. Lady Mary is “Persona non grata” and quickly ushered out of the ballroom by Lady Petersfield, prior to the arrival of Prince Arthur of Connaught and his wife Princess Arthur.
British honourifics and titles can be quite tricky, but explained through the male sex. Lady Mary started life as a Crawley and married another Crawley, her very distant cousin Matthew. However, when she married Henry Talbot, she became Lady Mary Talbot.
Princess Arthur was born Lady Alexandra Duff. Her father was the Duke of Fife. When she married Prince Arthur of Connaught, she became Princess Arthur. However, like all British Royal decrees, Lady Alexandra’s grandfather, King Edward VII declared her mother “Princess Royal,” which entitled Lady Alexandra to use the style “Princess.” However, upon her marriage, she took her husband’s name.
Thomas Barrow (former Butler)
Love and happiness finds him at the end of Downton Abbey: A New Era. Thomas Barrow (Robert James-Collier) started out as the baddie in series 1 of Downton Abbey TV show. He was a destructive soul who finally found peace, love and happiness, and equally important, acceptance.
At the beginning of Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, we find Barrow cheering on his companion, Guy Dexter in the West End musical play, Bitter Sweet, written by English playwright and songwriter Noël Coward (Arty Froushan).
Barrow resented Tom Branson’s (Allen Leech) transformation from downstairs to upstairs. And in series six, episode four he tried to “out” the former housemaid, Gwen upon her return to Downtown Abbey as a “guest.” But his story comes to a satisfying conclusion when invited upstairs by Lady Mary, during a house party. No longer the “servant” but a guest at Downton Abbey, as an endearing friend of Guy Dexter (Dominic West). He and Tom Branson warmly greet each other and shake hands.
Joseph Molesley (former servant)
More than any Downton Abbey character, Joseph Molesley (Kevin Doyle) has the most surprising character arc. No doubt, tested over six series and three films!
He started at Downton as the butler in the Crawley House, then Valet to Matthew Crawley (Dan Stevens), the heir apparent. When Matthew tragically dies, Molesley is out of job. He already proved to be an inadequate footman, although he pinch hits when necessary. He takes a menial job paving streets, then discovers the joy of education. In Downton Abbey: A New Era, we find Molesley working as a school teacher turned screenwriter.
In Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, Molesley is a successful screenwriter, married to Phyllis Baxter, the lady’s maid to the Countess of Grantham. He once again dons the livery of the footman to see Guy Dexter whom he met during filming at Downton Abbey, but instead gives Noël Coward a “light bulb” moment with the name of his “idea” inspired by Lady Mary’s divorce. Coward tells Molesley that he could “see a play in my head,” but Molesley asks him whether it was right to use what people confide about their “Private Lives.”
Downstairs staff
The servants below the stairs have all shifted their positions too.
Mrs. Beryl Patmore (Lesley Nicol), happily married to Albert Mason (Paul Copley), relinquishes her cooking duties to Daisy Parker (Sophie McShera). Daisy’s husband, Andy Parker (Michael Fox) is now the new Butler at Downton Abbey. Anna Bates (Joanne Froggatt) is pregnant with her second child. She and Phyllis Baxter (Rachel Cassidy) swap positions at the end of the film. Anna becomes lady’s maid to the Countess of Grantham, whilst Phyllis is lady’s maid to Lady Mary Talbot, who takes over the running of Downton Abbey from her father, the Earl of Grantham. Mrs. Elsie Hughes (Phyllis Logan) is still the Housekeeper, with her husband Mr. Charlie Carson (Jim Carter) in retirement. Mr. John Bates (Brendan Coyle) continues to serve the Earl of Grantham at the Dower House, having moved there with his family.
Upstairs Crawleys
The Grand Finale is about tying up loose ends and that also includes above the stairs.
Tom Branson (Allen Leech) returns to Downton Abbey with Sibbie, the daughter from his first marriage to Lady Sybil Crawley (Jessica Brown Findlay). But where is Lucy Smith (Tuppence Middleton)? She “appears” only as a comment. In reality, Middleton will star in The Forsytes, another indulgent period drama between the end of an era from Downton Abbey to The Gilded Age, season 4 in 2027?
Branson and Henry Talbot (Matthew Goode) sells the automotive business they started together. Goode made a cameo in one scene of Downton Abbey the movie (2019) and failed to appear in either Downton Abbey: A New Era (2022) or Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale.
The Earl of Grantham (Hugh Bonneville) is once again on the brink of financial ruin, no thanks to Lady Grantham’s (Elizabeth McGovern) brother Harold Levinson (Paul Giamatti). Swindled by Gus Sambrook (Alessandro Nivola), revealed as a confidence trickster, who he originally thought was an honest broker. Sambrook also tries to blackmail Lady Mary after a one night stand.
Edith Pelham, the Marchioness of Hexham (Laura Carmichael) to the rescue. Once a meek and insignificant second daughter, she comes to her sister, Lady Mary’s aid. She now has position and clout and uses both to foil Sambrook’s devious attempt to further ruin her sister’s reputation. In a bit of light humour she asked Mary if the man she slept with was “Turkish.”
Edith and Lady Grantham hatch a plan to repair her sister’s damaged reputation after the divorce by throwing a house party, with Noël Coward as a special guest.
Edith’s happily ever after includes her husband, Bertie Pelham, the Marquess of Hexham (Harry Hadden-Paton) and their two children, including her “love child” Marigold.
Reality and Comedy
The Earl of Grantham has to economise and Lady Mary helps him find a new home in London…in a flat! Grantham House has to go. In one of the funniest scenes, Lord Grantham hears noise coming from upstairs and doesn’t know what it is until Lady Mary informs him that “it is a family.” Lord Grantham, not used to having “neighbours” living in close proximity must adjust to his new reality. Lady Mary also reminds him that he cannot go “upstairs” to his bedroom. Now, he must scurry along down the hallway.
Downsizing is an adjustment. Tom explains during dinner that the world is changing, including what people wear. However, Harold Levinson has another take, and says that “Sometimes I feel that the past is a more comfortable place than the future.”
Tom knows how fortunate he has been and the great care the Crawley’s had shown him after the death of Lady Sybil. He even offers the money from the sale of his joint business to Lord Grantham, who politely refuses. Touched by the gesture he tells Cora and they both decide to move into the Dower House, leaving Lady Mary as the sole decision maker over the future of Downton Abbey, until her son George, comes of age. As a pragmatist, she says to her father that one day George may no longer need her.
Remembering Dame Maggie Smith
Dame Maggie Smith provided plenty of comedic moments in Downton Abbey television series and two Downton Abbey films. Her facial expressions and zingers were reminiscent of Gosford Park, also written by Julian Fellowes and co-produced by Bob Balaban. Lord Fellowes acknowledged him during the NYC Premier of Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale. Balaban introduced Lord Fellowes to Robert Altman. And as they say, “The rest is history.”
Posted 9/11/2025
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