Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale

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Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale
Downton Abbey The Grand Finale official poster.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Simon Curtis
Screenplay by Julian Fellowes
Based on Downton Abbey
by Julian Fellowes
Produced by
Starring
Cinematography Ben Smithard
Edited byAdam Recht
Music by John Lunn
Production
company
Distributed by Focus Features
Release date
  • 12 September 2025 (2025-09-12)
Running time
124 minutes [1]
Countries
  • United Kingdom
  • United States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$50 million (net) [2]
Box office$67 million [3]

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale is a 2025 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, 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.

Contents

Imelda Staunton, who portrays Maud, Lady 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, with a net budget of $50 million. The official title was announced in March 2025.

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale was released by Focus Features on 12 September 2025. The film received positive reviews from critics and has grossed $67 million worldwide.

Plot

In 1930 London, the Crawleys, except Mary, attend Bitter Sweet [4] starring Guy Dexter and Noël Coward. Backstage they meet with Dexter, Coward, and former Downton butler Thomas Barrow, now Dexter's assistant and partner-lover. The next day, the Crawley family is at Lady Petersfield's ball when news breaks about Mary and Henry Talbot's divorce. Lady Petersfield forces Mary to leave at once because royals are expected to attend.

Robert and Cora return to Downton Abbey while Mary remains at Grantham House to receive Cora's brother, Harold Levinson, who is arriving from America following their mother Martha's death. Accompanying Harold is financial adviser Gus Sambrook, who reportedly saved Harold from financial ruin by withdrawing his investments in the stock market prior to the Wall Street Crash. Sambrook and Mary are mutually attracted, drink heavily and end up in bed together. The party travels to Downton Abbey, where Harold, to Cora's dismay, reveals that he squandered their mother's fortune on poor investments. He wants to invest Downton's remaining assets to recoup his losses and repay his debt to Sambrook.

Mary's divorce causes Downton neighbours to shun the Crawleys and decline a dinner invitation. Robert, still reeling from Mary's failed marriage and Harold's poor judgement, walks out when Mary proposes selling Grantham House in London to raise capital. Mary leads her family in rejecting Sambrook's proposal to invest Downton's income, prompting Sambrook to attempt to blackmail Mary over their liaison. Meanwhile, Tom Branson arrives with his daughter Sybbie.

At Royal Ascot, an acquaintance informs Tom that Sambrook is a fraudster who became rich by swindling other people's fortunes and has recently avoided a lawsuit. Deducing that Sambrook embezzled the Levinson wealth, Tom warns the Crawleys and Harold. Edith confronts Sambrook and forces his retreat from the Crawleys. As Sambrook leaves, he has a final conversation with Mary, who tersely dismisses him. A remorseful Harold reconciles with Cora before returning to America.

Tom and Bertie Pelham convince Robert that Mary is doing what is best for the estate. Robert agrees to entrust Downton Abbey to Mary, while he and Cora resolve to move to the Downton Dower house, taking along servants John and Anna Bates. Anna is expecting a second child, and takes over as Cora's lady's maid while Baxter becomes Mary's lady's maid.

With Dexter, Coward and Barrow about to visit Downton Abbey, Edith and Cora see an opportunity to rehabilitate Mary's reputation; they ask the servants to spread the news in the village. Mr Molesley, working full-time as a screenwriter, returns as a footman for the dinner, hoping Dexter and Coward will notice him. Molesley is disappointed when Dexter fails to remember him, though Coward is impressed that Molesley wrote the script for The Gambler. [a] Molesley's spirits are lifted when, after chatting with Coward, he inadvertently provides the title for Coward's upcoming play, Private Lives , which is inspired by Mary's divorce. The dinner is a success, with Coward performing one of his songs, and the Crawleys are again viewed favourably. It is the first meal prepared by Daisy Parker; longtime cook Mrs Patmore retires after 50 years at Downton.

Meanwhile, Isobel, Lady Merton, helping to organise the annual county fair, clashes with the traditionalist chairman, Sir Hector Moreland, over how to run the event. Seeking fresh perspectives, Isobel invites Daisy and Downton's retired butler, Mr Carson, to join the committee. They support Isobel's ideas. Sir Hector vehemently opposes having Mary present the fair's main award, but Isobel manoeuvres to allow Mary to present the award, which is won by Mr Mason, Mrs Patmore's husband.

Robert and Cora complete preparations to move into the Dower house as they, the servants, and Edith express their confidence and trust in Mary's ability to manage Downton Abbey. As they leave the Main Hall, Mary has flashbacks about her experiences and deceased loved ones while Robert and Cora stroll the estate grounds as they exit the Abbey. A mid-credits scene shows the couples in the series enjoying each other's company and Mary reading to her children.

Cast

A scene at the end of the film features uncredited, archival cameos by Dame Maggie Smith, Dan Stevens, and Jessica Brown Findlay as Violet (Dowager Countess of Grantham), Matthew, and Lady Sybil Crawley, respectively.

Production

In March 2024, Imelda Staunton, who portrayed Maud, Lady 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. [5] 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. [6] On 27 March 2025, the title was revealed as Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale. [7] John Lunn returned to score music for The Grand Finale after previously doing the same for the television series and its film continuation. [8]

Filming

Principal photography began on 13 May 2024 [6] and wrapped in August.[ citation needed ]

Release

The premieres of the film were in London and New York City on 8 September 2025. [9] The film was released generally in cinemas on 12 September 2025, and on 11 September 2025 in Italy and Australia. [10] [11]

To promote the film, NBC aired Downton Abbey Celebrates the Grand Finale on 10 September 2025. The television special, which was filmed at London's Savoy Hotel, reunited the cast for a look back at the legacy of the television series and also included an exclusive preview of the film. [12]

Reception

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes , 92% of 122 critics' reviews are positive.The website's consensus reads: "Soothing as a cup of tea while providing a satisfying amount of closure, The Grand Finale is a worthy sendoff for Downton Abbey." [13] On Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, the film holds a score of 66 out of 100 based on 30 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews. [14]

Notes

References

  1. "Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale (2025)". Irish Film Classification Office . 30 July 2025. Retrieved 30 July 2025.
  2. D'Alessandro, Anthony (10 September 2025). "'Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle' Opening Projections Are All Over The Map, But An Anime Record Is In Store – Box Office Preview". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved 10 September 2025.
  3. "Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale – Financial Information". The Numbers. Retrieved 27 September 2025.
  4. Olivia Waxman (13 September 2025). "The Real History Behind Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale". TIME. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
  5. 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.
  6. 1 2 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.
  7. Chitwood, Adam (27 March 2025). "'Downton Abbey 3' Gets a Fittingly Emotional Title". TheWrap. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
  8. Phinney, Ruth (5 September 2025). "CD Spotlight: The music of Downton Abbey, from TV to The Grand Finale". WXXI Classical. Retrieved 13 September 2025.
  9. "Attend the U.S. Premiere of Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale". United Card Events. 8-29-2025.
  10. D'Alessandro, Anthony (26 June 2024). "'Downton Abbey 3' Opening Doors In Fall 2025". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved 26 June 2024.
  11. Rosseinsky, Katie (27 June 2024). "Downton Abbey 3 to be released much sooner than fans expected". The Independent . Retrieved 13 November 2024.
  12. McPherson, Chris. "Dress Up With 'Downton Abbey Celebrates the Grand Finale' in a Sneak Peek From NBC's Farewell to the Crawleys [Exclusive]". Collider. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
  13. "Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango Media.
  14. "Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale Reviews". www.metacritic.com. Retrieved 17 September 2025.