Downton Abbey debuted on PBS as part of the Masterpiece Classic anthology back on January 9, 2011. It quickly became a hit series not only in the UK but also here in the United States and eventually all over the world.
The series – now in its sixth and final season – has explored the lives of the fictional Crawley family and their domestic servants. The very first episode showed the lavish lifestyle of the Crawleys, starting on the day after the historic sinking of the RMS Titanic in April 1912.
Aboard the Titanic was a second cousin of the Crawley family, who was set to marry eldest Crawley daughter, Lady Mary, in order to maintain the family’s fortune, which had to be passed down exclusively to male heirs only. Because of this untimely death, a new heir had to be found quickly, landing at the door of middle-class solicitor (and distant male cousin) Matthew Crawley.
Season 1
A bevy of characters are introduced during the first season – both upstairs and downstairs – with plenty of intrigue, a little bit of romance and lots of drama. The first season ended just as the First World War started in July of 1914.
Season 2
The second season covered the time frame of 1916 to 1918 with Downton Abbey being temporarily converted into an officer’s hospital with youngest Crawley daughter Sybil working as a nurse and falling in love with the new chauffeur Tom Branson. Matthew and Mary are in relationships with other people – despite still having feelings for each and Mr. Bates dealt with a vindictive ex-wife who dies under mysterious circumstances, landing him in prison and eventually sentenced to be executed (after being falsely convicted of the crime).
Season 3
Season three found the Crawley family in dire straits due to poor investments made by Lord Grantham; Matthew and Lady Mary finally marry and pregnant Lady Sybil and her (unwelcome) husband Tom return to Downton. Tragedy strikes, though, as Lady Sybil dies in childbirth. Meanwhile, Bates is released from prison because evidence is found to clear him of murder charges, Matthew and Mary await the birth of their child, but tragedy strikes yet again as Matthew is killed in a car accident after the birth of their son.
Season 4
In the fourth season, Mary is in mourning but has two suitors; middle sister Lady Edith begins writing for a weekly newspaper, falls in love with the editor and becomes pregnant to him (without the benefit of marriage, which for that time period was highly frowned upon). Sadly, Anna is raped by the valet of one of Mary’s suitors, but he is then killed in a street accident, leading the Bates into yet another court case that leaves Anna in prison for murder (she was falsely accused too).
Season 5
Season five finds the Crawley family helping exiled Russian Prince Kuragin, a former paramour of Dowager Crawley, and the aftermath of Lady Edith giving up her love child only to demand her be returned from the Drewe family, who was hand-picked by Edith to take care of the little girl in her stead. Meanwhile the staff of Downton Abbey are moving on with their lives outside of the grand mansion, purchasing property and making plans for new lives of their own. Also, Anna is released from prison when evidence is found to proof her innocence; Tom announces he and daughter Sybil are leaving for America and Mr. Carson (finally) proposes to Mrs. Hughes.
In season six (the final season), Edith is firmly in control of the newspaper and has full custody of her daughter Marigold; Mr. Carson and Mrs. Hughes marry; Mr. Bates and Anna become pregnant, many of the household staff are looking forward to their futures outside of Downton Abbey; Mary reluctantly falls in love and eventually marries Henry Talbot and Lady Edith falls in love with Bertie Pelham, but that relationship is, of course, ruined by vengeful sister Mary.
Season 6
Obviously, there were a LOT more storylines throughout the show’s six seasons, but the above are the major plot points.
The final two hours of Downton Abbey will air tonight on PBS and will bring to an end six lavish seasons of the world of the aristocratic Crawley family and all of the loyal (and not so loyal) household staff who have come in and out of the doors of the impressive mansion.
Without spoiling too much [Spoiler Alert: One picture below will make a reveal of the series finale] Lady Edith FINALLY ends up happy, Tom and Mary’s new husband Henry start a new venture together, Anna and Mr. Bates welcome a new life into the world and the rest of the household staff (for the most part) find happy endings as well.
Downton Abbey may be coming to an end but they will live on in the memories of all the worldwide fans who invested so much time and love into the series that changed the landscape of TV viewing for countless millions across the globe.
Here is a look at just some of the fantastic faces who have been a part of Downton Abbey over the past six seasons:
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Lord and Lady Grantham
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Matthew and Mary
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Sybil and Tom
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Isobel Crawley and Dowager Countess
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Anna and Mr. Bates
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Lady Edith, Lady Sybil and Lady Mary
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Daisy and Mrs. Pattmore
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Lady Rose and Atticus
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Barrow and Molesley
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Mrs. Hughes and Mr. Carson
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Mary and Henry
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Edith and Bertie
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