Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale is a movie that lives up to its name.
Thanks to its stunning costumes, locations and cinematography it is truly a grand production.
For fans of the franchise, which started in 2010 and features a six season television series and two previous feature length movies, it ensures they know their favourite characters who are still alive seemingly live happily ever after!
Given the death of Maggie Smith last year and the fictional death of other major characters over the years, naturally not all feature in this grand finale although the movie’s final scene pays tribute to some of those missing.
Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes’ final offering is set in 1930 and starts with Lord and Lady Grantham (Hugh Bonneville and Elizabeth McGovern) attending a West End production of Noël Coward’s Bitter Sweet that stars Guy Dexter (Dominic West). Here they are reunited with Lord Grantham’s former dresser Thomas Barrow (Robert James-Collier), who now serves as Dexter’s manager, dresser and `friend’ and catch up with Coward (Arty Froushan).
The family and several senior servants are in London for the ‘season’ which includes a ball at the home of Lady Petersfield (Joely Richardson).
The press outside the house are particularly interested in the arrival of Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) and it doesn’t take long to find out why. Her divorce has been granted and as a result she’s a social outcast.
Believing members of the royal family who are attending the ball will not want to appear in the same room as a divorcee, Lady Mary is embarrassingly asked to leave by Lady Petersfield.
The movie then follows Lady Mary’s actions as well as those of her family, friends and servants. They all face their own individual challenges.
As well as dealing with her social predicament, personal feelings and a rather big mistake, Lady Mary has to persuade her father that he should continue with his plan to leave the running of Downton Abbey to her.
Lord Grantham is vexed about his future and that of the estate. Should he continue with the succession plan and move out of Downton to the Dower House previously occupied by his late mother? Then there are the financial challenges he is facing.
That financial strain becomes even more serious when Lady Grantham’s brother Harold (Paul Giamatti) arrives from America with his business advisor and friend Gus Sambrook (Alessandro Nivola) to report he has lost of all of their mother’s inheritance.
The only asset is a house in Newport which Sambrook is advising him to sell to pay back the debt Harold owes Sambrook and to also help recoup financial losses.
When Sambrook’s history is revealed it’s Lady Edith (Laura Carmichael) who takes the lead in protecting the family. With the help of Coward and Dexter and servants Anna (Joanne Froggatt) and Baxter (Raquel Cassidy) she also helps ensure Lady Mary’s exile from society, around Downton at least, is short-lived.
Assisting with this is Lady Merton (Penelope Wilton) who is also shaking up the organisation of the annual county fair and especially its chairman, Sir Hector Moreland (Simon Russell Beale), by adding Downton Abbey servants Mr Carson (Jim Carter) and the outspoken Daisy (Sophie McShera) to the planning committee.
Meanwhile below stairs we hear and learn the challenges Mrs Pattmore (Lesley Nicol) and Mr Carson are facing in retirement and the confidence of those taking over from them including new butler Andy (Michael Fox) and Daisy.
The future also looks bright, if slightly different, for many of the other servants, who, like those ‘upstairs’ realise society is changing.
Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale will most likely have the greatest appeal for fans of the franchise. However, for first time viewers there’s still plenty to enjoy thanks to locations, especially the stunning Highclere Castle, costumes, acting and an often humorous script.
Downton Abbey :The Grand Finale is currently showing in cinemas around Australia.
*Photo credit: Rory Mulvey / © 2025 FOCUS FEATURES LLC
- movies, reviews
Subscribe My Newsletter
Unsubscribe at any time.
