Review: "Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale"

Julian Fellowes’ British television historical drama “Downton Abbey” first aired in the United States in January of 2011. Six seasons and 52 episodes later, it became a cultural phenomenon, winning 27 Primetime Emmy Awards in just its first two seasons, the most for any international television series ever.

Two feature length films followed: “Downtown Abbey” (2019) and “Downton Abbey: A New Era” (2022). The latest and final movie installment is “Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale.”

The television series was set between the years of 1912 and 1926, connecting with real life events from that time period, such as the sinking of the Titanic, the first World War and the Spanish Influenza Pandemic.

The story focused on an aristocratic British family (the Crawleys) and their small army of devoted servants. The dynamic of the “have’s” versus the “have nots” was also explored in a previous British television hit “Upstairs,Downstairs” that ran between 1971 and 1975, also centering on the social class divide that existed in Edwardian London from 1903 to 1930.

Interestingly, “Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale” is set in 1930 when the world was in a state of flux and transition, following the Great Depression. The Crawley family members find themselves at a precarious juncture, sliding into financial ruin due to some mismanaged, fraudulent investments.

In addition to their financial woes, their social status is shattered by the announcement of Lady Mary Talbot’s divorce. They find themselves shut out of their longstanding, aristocratic comfort zone amongst their wealthy friends. 

In addition to the financial and social pressures, this chapter of the Crawley story is one of transition. Lord Grantham (Hugh Bonneville) must pass the torch of overseeing Downton Abbey to his daughter, Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) in the midst of a damaging scandalous divorce that has made the local newspaper headlines.

Michelle Dockery stars as Lady Mary, Arty Froushan as Noël Coward and Dominic West as Guy Dexter in DOWNTON ABBEY: The Grand Finale, a Focus Features release. Photo Credit: Rory Mulvey

Other older characters such as Mr. Carson (Jim Carter) face similar dilemmas, handing over cherished duties and responsibilities to a younger generation.  The changes are necessary, but difficult.  No one wants to be put out to pasture.

“The Grand Finale” is a slow cooker of a story, simmering in a half dozen developing subplots. There are no “big moments” as might be expected in a grand finale.  No one dies, though the death of the character Violet Crawley (previously played by Maggie Smith who passed away in 2014) still resonates. Her portrait and presence loom large over the drama that unfolds amongst Downton Abbey’s family and staff. 

It's hard to say how diehard “Downton Abbey” fans will react to this final installment. To its credit, virtually all of the major characters are back.  They are all evolving and growing, in some cases making some painful choices they may never have considered.  There is sadness, mixed with resiliency and strength, pretty much what you would expect from the residents of Downton Abbey.

To its credit, it serves up a joyful, though slightly tearful sequence in the final reel, the kind that loyal fans would hope for. It’s a fitting sendoff for a group of characters that touched so many hearts internationally through so many beloved episodes.

“Downton Abbey” was a triumph in terms of content and style, with its well-developed story structure, stellar production quality, and attention to historic detail regarding the sets and props and costumes.  That applies to the acclaimed television series as well as the three movies it spawned. 

The series created a world where loyal fans faithfully escaped each week, one populated by characters who became familiar and well-loved. 

Strangely, the final film seems to lack a little of the pomp, circumstance and opulence of the TV series, despite a lavish, nostalgic, digital camera sweep through London streets in the opening reel and a Kentucky Derby-style thoroughbred race sequence.

Is it really all coming to an end? The movie stands as a viable stopping point, but leaves audiences wondering what happened to these people in the years following 1930.  Despite the “Grand Finale” title, in the movie business, you can never entirely rule out yet another sequel. In Hollywood parlance:  Never say never.

“Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale” is rated PG.