5 Reasons to Fall in Love With Downton Abbey

For 15 years, Downton Abbey — the sprawling saga of the aristocratic Crawley family and their servants at a lavish Yorkshire estate — has captivated audiences around the world.  

Now, it’s time to say farewell to the iconic British franchise. Ahead of Friday’s theatrical release of the third and final film, Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, NBC airs a one-hour primetime special, Downton Abbey Celebrates the Grand Finale, on Wednesday, Sept 10 at 9p ET/PT and will be available to stream next day on Peacock.  

If you haven’t jumped on the Downton bandwagon yet, here are five reasons not to wait another minute. 

The Drama

Created and written by Oscar® and Emmy® winner Julian Fellowes, Downton Abbey is melodrama at its absolute finest. Insightful, topical storylines follow dozens of characters as they navigate the intricacies of the human experience and the complicated times in which they live. You’re guaranteed to find plenty of addictive, relatable material here. 

The History

Set during the early decades of the 20th century, Downton Abbey expertly chronicles one of the most tumultuous periods in British history. We get to witness first-hand the waning power of the aristocracy, the breaking down of class barriers, and the evolving rights of women, among many other seismic upheavals. Not to mention, the exquisite costumes and jaw-dropping attention to period detail in every scene are simply to die for.

The Romance

From the long-lasting marriage-for-money of Lord (Hugh Bonneville) and Lady Grantham (Elizabeth McGovern) to the tender late-life romance between Mr. Carson (Jim Carter) and Mrs. Hughes (Phyllis Logan), the against-all-odds relationship between Anna (Joanne Froggatt) and Mr. Bates (Brendan Coyle), and the scandalous coupling of Lady Sybil (Jessica Brown Findlay) and Branson (Allen Leech), love is at the heart of Downton Abbey. But nothing is more swoon-worthy than the will-they-or-won’t-they courtship between Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) and her cousin and Downton heir Matthew Crawley (Dan Stevens). Just try not to end up in a puddle over their scene on the Abbey’s snow-covered front steps in the last moments of the Season 2 finale, we dare you. 

The Villains

Every story needs a few good antagonists to keep things interesting, and Downton Abbey has them in spades. There’s Cora’s vindictive lady’s maid O’Brien (Siobhan Finneran); Violet’s vain, gambling maid Denker (Sue Johnston); Mr. Bates’ horrible ex-wife Vera (Maria Doyle Kennedy); and Lady Mary’s scorned suitor Sir Richard Carlisle (Iain Glen), to name a few. But none compare to Thomas Barrow (Rob James-Collier), the handsome, ambitious Downton footman who is forever looking for ways to stir the pot. Kudos to Julian Fellowes for also giving Thomas a heartbreaking gay storyline, making him a villain we ultimately can’t help but love. 

The Dowager Countess

The inimitable Dame Maggie Smith has never had a role quite like Violet Crawley. The brilliant, gossipy, caring, and flirtatious family matriarch is a wonder to behold, and she delivers all of the most delicious lines in the series. Although Violet elevates every single scene she’s in, the complex relationship between her and her liberal cousin Isobel is pure gold. 

Catch up on all six seasons of Downton Abbey on Peacock and watch the 2019 film Downton Abbey and 2022 sequel Downton Abbey: A New Era.