Directed by Simon Curtis.
Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale was released in cinemas on September 12, 2025.
Distributed by Universal Pictures internationally and by Focus Features in the United States.
Movie Review
Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale is a warm and emotional goodbye to the Crawley family.
The movie brings back all the charm fans love with beautiful costumes, stunning scenery, and the quiet drama of family life.
Michelle Dockery, Hugh Bonneville, and Elizabeth McGovern shine as they guide the family through change, while Paul Giamatti adds fresh energy to the story.
The film ties up many storylines about love, legacy, and secrets, although some side plots feel a little rushed.
Instead of big twists, it gives viewers a gentle and nostalgic farewell filled with heart and elegance.
For fans of the series, it is a touching and satisfying ending that may even bring tears.
For new viewers, it works as a graceful period drama, though best enjoyed if you know the journey so far.
Overall, it is not groundbreaking but serves as a beautiful final bow for a beloved story.
Ratings
• IMDb: 7.8/10
• Rotten Tomatoes: 91%
• Google Audience Score: 89% liked this movie.
Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale Actors
Hugh Bonneville as Robert Crawley, 7th Earl of Grantham
DOB: November 10, 1963.
Bio: English actor whose career spans theatre, television, and film. Trained at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, and the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art.
He built his early stage career with the National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company before becoming a familiar face on screen.
Bonneville earned international acclaim for his role as Robert Crawley in Downton Abbey and has also been recognized with BAFTA and Emmy nominations.
Role: Robert Crawley, the 7th Earl of Grantham, is the proud yet increasingly reflective patriarch of the Crawley family.
In The Grand Finale, he faces the challenge of letting go, guiding his family through change, and reconciling tradition with the inevitability of transition.
What to expect: A measured, warm performance, Bonneville brings realism and gentle authority to Robert’s closing scenes.
Favorite things: Bonneville has a strong passion for theatre and radio drama and continues to support stage work alongside his screen career.
Notable works: Downton Abbey (TV & films), Paddington films, Twenty Twelve, W1A.
Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary Talbot
DOB: December 15, 1981.
Bio: English actress and singer who trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
She rose to international fame as Lady Mary Crawley in Downton Abbey, a role that earned her Golden Globe and multiple Emmy nominations.
Beyond Downton, Dockery has built a diverse career across stage, film, and television, with performances ranging from period drama to contemporary thrillers.
Role: Lady Mary Talbot is the sharp, pragmatic eldest Crawley daughter, long positioned as the heir-apparent of Downton.
In The Grand Finale, Mary faces the dual challenge of preserving the estate’s legacy while navigating scandal, shifting societal expectations, and the personal weight of responsibility.
What to expect: Dockery gives Mary emotional steel, pride, regret and determination, with scenes that emphasize leadership under strain.
Favorite things: Dockery has spoken often about her love of music and jazz singing, which remains a creative outlet alongside her acting.
Notable works: Downton Abbey (TV & films), Good Behavior, Defending Jacob, Anatomy of a Scandal.
Elizabeth McGovern as Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham
DOB: July 18, 1961.
Bio: American actress and musician whose career spans film, television, stage, and music.
She earned an Academy Award nomination for Ragtime (1981) and went on to star in major films such as Once Upon a Time in America before moving to the UK, where she built a long stage career.
She became internationally beloved as Cora Crawley in Downton Abbey, anchoring the family with warmth and quiet resolve.
Role: Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham, is the American-born wife of Robert Crawley. She serves as a steadying force in the family, blending warmth, diplomacy, and pragmatism.
In The Grand Finale, her role underscores her function as the emotional glue of the Crawleys, balancing tradition with a forward-looking sensibility.
What to expect: McGovern’s scenes balance dignified restraint with a quietly fierce protectiveness for family and tradition.
Favorite things: Alongside her acting, McGovern has a deep love for music, performing and recording with Sadie and the Hotheads.
Notable works: Ragtime, Once Upon a Time in America, Downton Abbey (TV & films), Sadie and the Hotheads (music).
Laura Carmichael as Edith Pelham, Marchioness of Hexham
DOB: July 16, 1986.
Bio: English actress best known for her breakout role as Lady Edith Crawley in Downton Abbey.
Trained at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, Carmichael initially worked in small stage productions before landing her career-defining part.
Since Downton, she has expanded her career with roles in television dramas and independent films, while also maintaining her connection to theatre.
Role: As Edith Pelham, Marchioness of Hexham, she continues her journey from overlooked middle daughter to a woman of independence and authority.
In The Grand Finale, Edith balances her family duties with her responsibilities as a marchioness and editor, underscoring her resilience and personal growth.
What to expect: Carmichael gives Edith honest dignity and a sense of earned confidence, quieter victories and maternal warmth feature strongly.
Favorite things: Carmichael has expressed her love for theatre and ensemble work, often choosing projects that challenge her artistically.
Notable works: Downton Abbey (TV & films), Marcella, A United Kingdom, The Secrets She Keeps.
Jim Carter as Charles “Charlie” Carson (Mr. Carson)
DOB: August 19, 1948.
Bio: English actor with a career spanning over four decades across theatre, television, and film.
A veteran of the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre, he is known for his commanding voice and dignified presence.
Carter became internationally recognized for his portrayal of Mr. Carson in Downton Abbey.
Role: As Charles “Charlie” Carson, the retired butler who remains a guiding presence at Downton, he represents tradition, loyalty, and the wisdom of the servant class.
In The Grand Finale, Carson lends his steady counsel and moral compass as the Crawleys face the pressures of social change and legacy.
What to expect: A steady, quietly comic and touching performance, Carson represents the heart of the staff’s dignity.
Favorite things: Carter has a deep love for theatre and ensemble work, often speaking about the camaraderie of stage and screen acting.
Notable works: Downton Abbey (TV & films), Shakespeare in Love, The Madness of King George, Cranford.
Penelope Wilton as Isobel Grey, Lady Merton
DOB: June 3, 1946.
Bio: English actress with a career spanning more than five decades across stage, television, and film.
Trained at the Drama Centre London, she has become one of Britain’s most respected performers, known for her nuanced portrayals in both classical theatre and contemporary drama.
Role: As Isobel Grey, Lady Merton, she embodies integrity, compassion, and social progressiveness.
In The Grand Finale, Isobel continues to act as the Crawleys’ moral anchor, advocating for reform and championing fairness in a society clinging to old hierarchies.
What to expect: Warm moral conviction, dry humour and strong, quietly persuasive scenes.
Favorite things: Wilton has spoken often about her love of theatre and the importance of ensemble storytelling.
Notable works: Ever Decreasing Circles, The Borrowers, Downton Abbey (TV & films), The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, After Life.
Paul Giamatti as Harold Levinson
DOB: June 6, 1967.
Bio: American actor celebrated for his versatility across stage, television, and film.
A Yale graduate with training from the Yale School of Drama, he has built a career marked by both critical acclaim and audience popularity.
His career bridges independent cinema, blockbuster films, and high-profile TV dramas.
Role: Harold Levinson, Cora Crawley’s free-spirited American brother, reappears in the finale bringing both charm and complications.
His outsider status and history of financial missteps stir tension within the Crawley family, while his modern, transatlantic perspective adds a fresh contrast to Downton’s traditions.
What to expect: A nuanced, slightly off-kilter presence that complicates family dynamics, Giamatti brings emotional specificity and unpredictability.
Favorite things: Giamatti has often spoken about his passion for theatre and literature, and he maintains close ties to stage work despite his busy screen career.
Notable works: Sideways, Billions, Cinderella Man, American Splendor, John Adams, Barney’s Version.
Joanne Froggatt as Anna BatesIn
DOB: August 23, 1980.
Bio: Award-winning English actress best known worldwide for her role as Anna Bates in Downton Abbey, a performance that earned her a Golden Globe and multiple Emmy nominations.
Trained at Redroofs Theatre School, she began her career in British television, appearing in series such as Coronation Street and Bad Girls, before moving into film and stage work.
Role: Anna Bates remains one of the emotional pillars of the downstairs world.
As the devoted wife of John Bates and a trusted confidante among the staff, Anna provides loyalty, compassion, and resilience.
What to expect: Heartfelt, courageous work, Froggatt brings warmth and steel to Anna’s key scenes.
Favorite things: Froggatt talks fondly about the servant’s-hall camaraderie on set and family life offscreen.
Notable works: Downton Abbey (TV & films), Liar, Angela Black, Coronation Street, North Shore.
Brendan Coyle as John Bates
DOB: December 2, 1962.
Bio: Award-winning British actor with deep roots in theatre, having trained at both Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London and Dublin’s Focus Theatre.
He won an Olivier Award for his performance in The Weir and is highly respected for his stage and screen work.
Role: John Bates, Lord Grantham’s valet, is defined by loyalty, stoicism, and resilience.
In the finale, his steady presence underpins the servants’ storyline, offering stability and wisdom during moments of tension.
What to expect: Low-key emotional power, Coyle’s scenes reward patience and nuance.
Favorite things: Strong theatre background and stage awards (Olivier) remain central to his identity.
Notable works: Downton Abbey (TV & films), North & South, Lark Rise to Candleford, The Weir (stage).
Allen Leech as Tom Branson
DOB: May 18, 1981.
Bio: Irish actor who trained at Trinity College Dublin and first gained recognition in Irish theatre before moving into television and film.
He became a household name as Tom Branson in Downton Abbey, the principled chauffeur who married into the Crawley family.
Role: Tom Branson has evolved from outsider to trusted family member, balancing his working-class roots with his role as part of the Crawley household.
In the finale, Tom’s pragmatism, modern outlook, and sense of responsibility guide the family through financial and social challenges, reinforcing his role as both insider and reformer.
What to expect: Leech brings heartfelt conviction and occasionally blunt practicality to Tom’s scenes.
Favorite things: Leech often references his Irish roots and family life in interviews and chooses roles with emotional spine.
Notable works: Downton Abbey (TV & films), Bohemian Rhapsody, The Imitation Game, Rome.
Robert James-Collier as Thomas Barrow
DOB: September 23, 1976.
Bio: English actor and model who first gained recognition in Coronation Street before rising to international prominence as Thomas Barrow in Downton Abbey.
Over the years, he has brought depth and nuance to Barrow’s journey from a scheming footman to a more sympathetic and layered under-butler.
Role: In the finale, Thomas Barrow continues his evolution, balancing his sharp instincts with a newfound openness.
His connection to actor Guy Dexter and the theatrical world gives his storyline a fresh sense of possibility.
What to expect: A mix of sharp wit, vulnerability and the dry humour Barrow fans have come to appreciate.
Favorite things: Has spoken about enjoying the variety of TV and film work; keeps a low-profile personal life.
Notable works: Downton Abbey (TV & films), Coronation Street, The Ritual, Ackley Bridge.
Lesley Nicol as Beryl Patmore (Mrs. Patmore)
DOB: August 7, 1953.
Bio: English actress with a career spanning stage, television, and film.
She became beloved worldwide for her portrayal of Mrs. Patmore, Downton’s sharp-tongued yet big-hearted cook, a role that showcased her comic timing and emotional warmth.
Role: As Mrs. Patmore, she embodies the bustling life of Downton’s kitchen.
In the finale, her culinary leadership and down-to-earth wisdom highlight the everyday life of the servants while offering grounding moments of humour and humanity amid the estate’s larger dramas.
What to expect: Comforting, witty performances with affectionate scenes that celebrate the house’s daily rhythms.
Favorite things: Strong association with cookery and the theatrical world; proud of the show’s communal spirit.
Notable works: Downton Abbey (TV & films), East Is East, The Catch, The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe.
More Actors
• Phyllis Logan as Elsie Hughes (Carson).
• Sophie McShera as Daisy Parker.
• Michael Fox as Andrew “Andy” Parker.
• Dominic West as Guy Dexter (returns from A New Era).
• Simon Russell Beale as Sir Hector Moreland (new).
• Arty Froushan as Noël Coward (new).
• Alessandro Nivola as Gus Sambrook (new).
• Joely Richardson as Sarah, Lady Petersfield (new).
• Paul Copley as Albert Mason.
• Harry Hadden-Paton as Bertie Pelham.
FAQ – Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale Movie
Is this definitely the last Downton Abbey movie?
Yes, The Grand Finale is described by producers and writer Julian Fellowes as the final film in the Downton Abbey franchise, meant to close out the story that’s been built over the TV show and previous movies.
More on Reuters
What is the story about / what should I know before watching?
The Grand Finale is set in the early 1930s. The Crawley family and their staff deal with societal changes, financial trouble, and a public scandal involving Lady Mary’s divorce.
It follows on from the earlier TV series and the two previous films.
What happens to Lady Mary at the end?
At the end, Mary regains respectability following the scandal of her divorce. Robert Crawley (Lord Grantham) entrusts her with managing Downton Abbey.
Lord Grantham moves into the Dower House, which had been Violet’s, so Mary can be in charge of the main estate.
Is Matthew Goode in Downton Abbey movie 3?
Matthew Goode does not appear in Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale.
His character, Henry Talbot, is written out of the story through a divorce from Lady Mary, explained on-screen.
Goode himself confirmed he missed the film due to schedule conflicts and recovering from knee surgery.
What about Maggie Smith / the Dowager Countess?
Dame Maggie Smith, who played Violet Crawley (the Dowager Countess), passed away in 2024.
Her absence is acknowledged, and though she does not appear alive in new footage, her legacy is honored in the film.
Conclusion
Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale is not about shocking twists or high drama.
It is about closure, reflection, and celebrating the characters that audiences have loved for years.
With heartfelt performances, elegant visuals, and a story that honors both tradition and change, the film succeeds as a graceful farewell.
Fans will find comfort and satisfaction in this final chapter, while newcomers may enjoy the beauty but miss some of the emotional depth.
In the end, it feels like a loving goodbye to an era and a family that have left a lasting mark on television and film.