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 bySimon Curtis
Screenplay byJulian Fellowes
Based onDownton Abbey
by Julian Fellowes
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyBen Smithard
Edited byAdam Recht
Music byJohn Lunn
Production
company
Distributed by
Release date
  • 12 September 2025 (2025-09-12)
Running time
124 minutes[2]
Countries
  • United Kingdom
  • United States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$50 million (net)[3]
Box office$103.1 million[4]

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.

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 $103.1 million worldwide. After the film's digital release, it debuted and peaked at number 2 on the UK Film Chart,[5] going on to spend sixteen weeks on the chart's Top 100; the film also peaked at number one for four weeks on the UK DVD chart.[6]

Plot

In 1930 London, Lord and Lady Grantham, and their daughter and son-in-law, Edith and Bertie Pelham (aka Lord and Lady Hexham), attend a play starring Guy Dexter and Noël Coward, who is also the playwright. Backstage, they meet Dexter, Coward, and former Downton Abbey butler Thomas Barrow, now Dexter's personal assistant and lover. The next day, the Crawley family, including eldest daughter Mary, attend a ball given by Bertie's cousin Lady Petersfield. When news suddenly breaks about Mary's divorce from her estranged husband, Henry Talbot, Lady Petersfield insists that Mary leave before her guests of honour, Prince Arthur of Connaught, and his wife arrive.

Robert and Cora return to Downton Abbey; Mary remains at Grantham House to receive Cora's brother, Harold Levinson, arriving from America following their mother Martha's death. Accompanying Harold is financial adviser Gus Sambrook, who reportedly saved Harold from financial ruin from the 1929 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 lost their mother's fortune on poor investments during the Great Depression. 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, opposes Mary's suggestion to sell Grantham House in London to raise capital. When the family rejects Sambrook's proposal to invest Downton's income, he attempts to blackmail Mary regarding their liaison. Meanwhile, Tom Branson arrives with his daughter, Sybbie, in a show of support and offers to lend his father-in-law money from the sale of his business with Henry Talbot. Robert is touched by the gesture but declines.

At Royal Ascot, an acquaintance informs Tom that Sambrook is a fraudster who swindled other people's fortunes and recently avoided imprisonment. Deducing that Sambrook embezzled the Levinson wealth, Tom warns the Crawleys and Harold. Edith confronts Sambrook, forcing him to leave. Before departing, Sambrook has a final confrontation with Mary. A remorseful Harold reconciles with Cora before returning to America.

Tom and Bertie Pelham convince Robert that Mary is acting in Downton Abbey's interest. He is finally able to leave Downton's management in her hands. Robert and Cora resolve to move to the Downton dower house, taking along servants John and Anna Bates, who are expecting a second child. Anna becomes Cora's lady's maid, and Baxter becomes Mary's. Bates doubles as valet/butler.

Dexter, Coward and Barrow are invited to Downton Abbey, which Edith and Cora see as an opportunity to rehabilitate Mary's reputation. They ask the servants to spread news about the impending visit in the village. Mr Molesley, now a full-time 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 The Gambler screenplay.[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, and the Crawleys are again viewed favourably. Daisy Parker, now Downton's head cook following Mrs Patmore's retirement, prepares the dinner.

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 and diversity, Isobel invites Daisy and Downton's retired butler, Mr Carson, to join the committee. They support Isobel's ideas. Although Sir Hector vehemently objects to Mary as a divorcee presenting the fair's main award, Isobel successfully outmanoeuvres him; Mary presents the award to Mr Mason, Mrs Patmore's husband and Daisy's former father-in-law.

Robert and Cora, the servants, and Edith express confidence and trust in Mary's ability to manage Downton Abbey. As Robert and Cora exit the Main Hall, Mary has flashbacks about her experiences in the house and deceased loved ones. Robert and Cora stroll the estate grounds as they depart for the Dower House.

A mid-credits scene shows the couples in the series enjoying each other's company and Mary reading to her children.

Cast

See also: List of Downton Abbey characters

A scene at the end of the film features credited, archival cameos by Dame Maggie Smith, Dan Stevens, and Jessica Brown Findlay as Violet (Dowager Countess of Grantham), Matthew Crawley, 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.[7] 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.[8] On 27 March 2025, the title was revealed as Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale.[9] John Lunn returned to score music for The Grand Finale after previously doing the same for the television series and its film continuation.[10]

Filming

Principal photography began on 13 May 2024[8] and wrapped in August.[citation needed]

Release

On 8 September 2025, the film premiered in London and New York City.[11] On 10 September 2025, NBC aired Downton Abbey Celebrates the Grand Finale to promote the film. 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] On 11 September 2025, the film was released next in Italy and Australia.[13][14] On 12 September 2025, the film was generally released to all remaining cinemas.[13][14] On 19 September 2025, the film was released in Norway.[15]

Home media

As part of Focus Features' long-term deal with Amazon Prime Video, the film streamed on Peacock beginning on 7 November 2025, before moving to Prime Video for the next ten, and returning to Peacock for the remaining four.[16][17][18]

Reception

Box office

Downton Abbey: The grand finale grossed $44.9 million in the United States and Canada, and $58.4 million in other countries, for a worldwide total of $103.1 million.[19]

Critical response

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 91% of 144 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."[20]

Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 66 out of 100, based on 31 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[21]

Pete Hammond of Deadline Hollywood wrote that Fellowes had "created such a memorable group of characters it is hard to finally say goodbye to them", opining that the "witty and wise finale" is a "goodbye worth saying".[22]

Accolades

Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
AARP Movies for Grownups Awards 10 January 2026 Best Screenwriter Julian Fellowes Nominated [23]
Costume Designers Guild Awards 12 February 2026 Excellence in Period Film Anna Mary Scott Robbins Nominated [24]
GLAAD Media Awards 5 March 2026 Outstanding Film – Wide Theatrical Release Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale Nominated [25]
Set Decorators Society of America Awards 21 February 2026 Best Achievement in Décor/Design of a Period Feature Film Linda Wilson (Set Decoration); Donal Woods (Production Design) Nominated [26]

Notes

  1. ^ As depicted in Downton Abbey: A New Era

References

  1. ^ "Focus Features' 'Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale' Breaks $100 Million Milestone at Worldwide Box Office". NBCUniversal. 30 October 2025. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
  2. ^ "Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale (2025)". Irish Film Classification Office. 30 July 2025. Retrieved 30 July 2025.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ "Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
  5. ^ "Downton Abbey - The Grand Finale". Official Charts Company. 28 October 2025. Retrieved 6 February 2026.
  6. ^ "Official DVD Chart 11 January 2026 - 17 January 2026". Official Charts Company. 17 January 2026. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ a b 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.
  9. ^ Chitwood, Adam (27 March 2025). "'Downton Abbey 3' Gets a Fittingly Emotional Title". TheWrap. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
  10. ^ Phinney, Ruth (5 September 2025). "CD Spotlight: The music of Downton Abbey, from TV to The Grand Finale". WXXI Classical. Retrieved 13 September 2025.
  11. ^ "Attend the U.S. Premiere of Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale". United Card Events. 29 August 2025.
  12. ^ McPherson, Chris (8 September 2025). "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. ^ a b D'Alessandro, Anthony (26 June 2024). "'Downton Abbey 3' Opening Doors In Fall 2025". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
  14. ^ a b Rosseinsky, Katie (27 June 2024). "Downton Abbey 3 to be released much sooner than fans expected". The Independent. Retrieved 13 November 2024.
  15. ^ "Downton Abbey: Ved veis ende". NF Kino. 19 September 2025. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
  16. ^ 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.
  17. ^ 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.
  18. ^ Moreau, Jordan (28 October 2025). "'Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale' Sets Peacock Release Date". Variety. Archived from the original on 29 October 2025. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  19. ^ "Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 27 February 2026.
  20. ^ "Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved 30 January 2026. Edit this at Wikidata
  21. ^ "Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  22. ^ Hammond, Pete (3 September 2025). "'Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale' Review: Scandal, Money, and Changing Times Mark an Elegant and Bittersweet End to Iconic Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  23. ^ Chuba, Kirsten (10 January 2026). "Movies for Grownups Awards with AARP: 'Hamnet' Takes Home Best Picture". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  24. ^ Tangcay, Jazz (13 December 2025). "'One Battle After Another', 'Avatar: Fire and Ash', and 'Sinners' Land Costume Designers Guild Nominations: Full List". Variety. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  25. ^ Pedersen, Erik (8 January 2026). "GLAAD Media Awards: 'Heated Rivalry', 'Stranger Things' & 'Christy' Among 2026 Nominees". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  26. ^ Tangcay, Jazz (5 January 2026). "'Marty Supreme' and 'Bugonia' Among Set Decorators Society of America Award Nominees". Variety. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
allikas: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Downton_Abbey:_The_Grand_Finale