Downton Abbey: is the grand finale really the end?

The Crawley bowed out in the cinema in a third and last film. Their saga stops there. But…

There were six seasons, more than 50 episodes, and already a final for the series – broadcast at Christmas 2015 – and entitled “The Final”. Then the saga returned for a Downton Abbey film in the cinema. Then a second. And she returns today in theaters for her grand finale.

As the title announces, it must be the farewells of the Crawley, the very last page in the history of the manor … But is this really the end this time? In a word: yes!

The first feature film Downton Abbey was released in 2019, followed by Downton Abbey 2: a new era in 2022. And the whole cast was brought together, one last time, last summer, to film this 3rd part. Hugh Bonneville confides in Los Angeles Times: “We would not have returned if we all hate each other. We had a lot of luck on that side …”

A few weeks ago, the Downton Abbey family ended up to view this grand finale together. It was only at this moment that they realized that the film marked the culmination of 15 years of work. Hugh Bonneville and Michelle Dockery tell:

“Michelle and I are dying my hand by watching the last images of the film … We really had the impression that this time, it was really the end! And we knew a lot of ends. With the series, we did not really know where it would go after. It seemed final at the time. And even after the first film, there was no guarantee that there is a second. But this one, it really looks like goodbyes.”

So, nothing after? Hugh Bonneville knows that there are “always discussions on spin-offs that would take place in this universe. Or other versions resembling Downton Abbey … maybe we will discover a day that the castle hides a rocket below (laughs) but for us, it’s really the end.”

Julian Fellowes, screenwriter and creator, confirms that he does not intend to write anything about the Crawley that we know:

“It is certainly the end of the original cast. It’s been a long time since we are together, but yes, it’s the end. If there will be other ‘Downton’ or derivatives, I can’t tell you yet. There is nothing concrete for the moment. But whatever it comes back, it will not be with this original cast. We have reached a natural end with this 3rd film.”

Farewell Robert. Farewell Lady Mary. The Crawley saga therefore officially ends today.