Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale

"Downton Abbey 3" redirects here. For the third series of Downton Abbey, see Downton Abbey series 3.

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Simon Curtis
Screenplay by	Julian Fellowes
Based on	Downton Abbey by Julian Fellowes
Produced by	Gareth Neame Julian Fellowes Liz Trubridge
Starring	Hugh Bonneville Jim Carter Michelle Dockery Paul Giamatti Elizabeth McGovern Penelope Wilton
Cinematography	Ben Smithard
Edited by	Adam Recht
Production company	Carnival Films
Distributed by	Focus Features
Release date	12 September 2025 (2025-09-12)
Running time	124 minutes [1]
Countries	United Kingdom United States
Language	English

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale is an upcoming historical drama film directed by Simon Curtis from a screenplay by Julian Fellowes. It is the sequel to Downton Abbey: A New Era (2022) and the third and final film in the Downton Abbey franchise. Many of the original franchise's cast members, who also appeared in the previous two films, will return. Paul Giamatti and Dominic West reprise their roles as Harold Levinson from the television series and Guy Dexter from the previous film, respectively, while Joely Richardson, Alessandro Nivola, Simon Russell Beale and Arty Froushan join the cast.

Imelda Staunton, who portrays Lady Maud Bagshaw in the previous film, stated in March 2024 that a third and final film in the Downton Abbey franchise was being planned, with the main cast set to return. Following the announcement of several cast members reprising their roles in May, filming began that month and concluded in August. The official title was announced in March 2025.

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale is scheduled to be released by Focus Features on 12 September 2025.

Premise

Follows the Crawley family and their staff as they enter the 1930s. When Mary finds herself at the centre of a public scandal caused by her divorce and the family faces financial trouble, the entire household grapples with the threat of social disgrace. The Crawleys must embrace change as the staff prepare for a new chapter with the next generation leading Downton Abbey into the future. ^{[2] [3]}

Cast

See also: List of Downton Abbey characters

• Hugh Bonneville as Robert Crawley, 5th Earl of Grantham
• Laura Carmichael as Edith Pelham, Marchioness of Hexham, second daughter of Lord and Lady Grantham
• Jim Carter as Charles "Charlie" Carson, former butler of the Crawley family and husband of the former Elsie Hughes, housekeeper.
• Raquel Cassidy as Phyllis Baxter, lady's maid to Lady Grantham, and wife of Joseph Molesley
• Paul Copley as Albert Mason, a tenant farmer under the Crawleys, father of Daisy's first husband, William Mason and love interest of Beryl Patmore
• Brendan Coyle as John Bates, the valet of Lord Grantham and husband of Anna Bates
• Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary Crawley, eldest daughter of Lord and Lady Grantham
• Kevin Doyle as Joseph Molesley, the local schoolteacher at Downton, former footman at Downton Abbey and husband of Phyllis Baxter
• Michael Fox as Andrew "Andy" Parker, former footman and current butler at Downton Abbey and husband of Daisy Parker
• Joanne Froggatt as Anna Bates, lady's maid to Lady Mary and wife of John Bates
• Paul Giamatti as Harold Levinson, an American businessman and brother of Lady Grantham
• Harry Hadden-Paton as Herbert "Bertie" Pelham, 7th Marquess of Hexham and husband of Edith
• Robert James-Collier as Thomas Barrow, former butler at Downton Abbey, currently the housekeeper, dresser, and secret lover of Guy Dexter
• Allen Leech as Tom Branson, the widower of Lady Sybil, Lord and Lady Grantham's late youngest daughter, and husband of Lucy Smith, a distant cousin of the Crawley family
• Phyllis Logan as Elsie Hughes, the housekeeper at Downton Abbey and wife of Charlie Carson
• Elizabeth McGovern as Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham
• Sophie McShera as Daisy Parker, assistant cook at Downton Abbey and wife of Andy Parker
• Lesley Nicol as Beryl Patmore, long-time cook at Downton Abbey
• Douglas Reith as Richard "Dickie" Grey, Lord Merton, a family friend of the Crawleys, godfather of Lady Mary, and second husband of Isobel
• Dominic West as Guy Dexter, an actor and secret lover of Thomas Barrow
• Penelope Wilton as Isobel Grey, Lady Merton and mother of Mary's late first husband Matthew Crawley
• Simon Russell Beale as Sir Hector Moreland
• Arty Froushan as Noël Coward
• Alessandro Nivola as Gus Sambrook
• Joely Richardson as Lady Petersfield

Production

In March 2024, Imelda Staunton, who portrayed Lady Maud Bagshaw in the film Downton Abbey: A New Era , confirmed that a third and final film in the Downton Abbey franchise was being planned, with the main cast returning. ^[4] In May, Paul Giamatti and Dominic West were announced to be reprising their roles as Harold Levinson and Guy Dexter respectively, alongside Joely Richardson, Alessandro Nivola, Simon Russell Beale and Arty Froushan in undisclosed roles. ^[5] On 27 March 2025, the title was revealed as Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale. ^[6]

Filming

Principal photography began on 13 May 2024 ^[5] and wrapped in August.^{[ citation needed ]}

Release

The premiere of the film is scheduled in New York City on 8 September 2025. ^[7] The film is scheduled to be released generally in cinemas on 12 September 2025, and on 11 September 2025 in Australia. ^{[8] [9]}

As part of a long-term deal with Amazon Prime Video for live-action films from Universal and Focus, the film will first stream on Peacock for the first four months of the pay-TV window, before moving to Prime Video for the next ten, then returning to Peacock for the remaining four. ^{[10] [11]}

Reception

Critical response

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes , 86% of 14 critics' reviews are positive. ^[12]

References

1. "Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale (2025)". Irish Film Classification Office . 30 July 2025. Retrieved 30 July 2025.
2. "Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale | Official Website". Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale | Official Website. Retrieved 30 June 2025.
3. Focus Features (30 June 2025). DOWNTON ABBEY: THE GRAND FINALE - Official Trailer [HD] - Only in Theaters September 12 . Retrieved 30 June 2025– via YouTube.
4. Lee Lenker, Maureen (20 March 2024). "Downton Abbey will get a third and 'final' film, according to Imelda Staunton". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved 13 May 2024.
5. Tartaglione, Nancy (13 May 2024). "'Downton Abbey 3' Underway With Paul Giamatti, Joely Richardson, Alessandro Nivola & More Joining Cast". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved 13 May 2024.
6. Chitwood, Adam (27 March 2025). "'Downton Abbey 3' Gets a Fittingly Emotional Title". TheWrap. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
7. "Attend the U.S. Premiere of Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale". United Card Events. 8-29-2025.
8. D'Alessandro, Anthony (26 June 2024). "'Downton Abbey 3' Opening Doors In Fall 2025". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved 26 June 2024.
9. Rosseinsky, Katie (27 June 2024). "Downton Abbey 3 to be released much sooner than fans expected". The Independent . Retrieved 13 November 2024.
10. Hayes, Dade (9 December 2021). "NBCUniversal's New Theatrical Window Scheme To Bring Films To Peacock After As Few As 45 Days Of Release". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on 9 December 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
11. Holt, Kris (8 July 2021). "Amazon locks down some exclusive streaming rights for Universal movies". Engadget . Archived from the original on 8 July 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2025.
12. "Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango Media.

External links

• Official website
• Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale at IMDb