How Downton Abbey’s Stars Really Feel About It Ending

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Warning: This article contains very minor spoilers for Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale.

It’s been 15 years since Downton Abbey first strutted onto TV screens.

After six seasons and now three films – including the latest, *Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale*, currently in theaters – the series has become a firm favorite with audiences and cast alike, and it’s been difficult for everyone to let go.

In a recent interview with TopMob News, Joanne Froggatt, who has played Anna Bates since the show began, shared how special it is to revisit the role and work with the same team after so many years. She said, “It’s rare for actors to get the chance to return to a project and collaborate with the same people-especially for 15 years!”

That’s one of the reasons she-along with her fellow actors Hugh Bonneville (who played Robert Crawley) and Allen Leech (who played Tom Branson), who were also part of the interview-is so thankful that *Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale* was made.

Joanne is grateful the *Downton Abbey* team could finish the show and give fans closure, as many series are canceled abruptly without warning.

She finished by saying the film is a heartfelt thank you to the fans and a celebration of the past 15 years. It’s been a wonderful experience to look back on all they’ve accomplished and enjoyed together.

The third and final *Downton Abbey* movie wraps up the stories of its characters, though not without some significant changes at the estate. The film finally shows Robert handing over control of Downton to his eldest daughter, Mary, played by Michelle Dockery.

Hugh described how she carefully tries to convince Robert that it’s time to leave. She guides him towards accepting this, and often, he surprisingly anticipates her and agrees immediately, saying, ‘Okay, let’s do it now.’

Even though his character quickly came to a decision, Hugh joked that the women of the family were really the ones in charge, and Robert just believed he was making the choices himself.

Throughout the series, Tom evolved from Robert’s chauffeur to his beloved son-in-law, and in the film, he helped Mary convince her father of something. This felt like a fitting conclusion to his character’s journey, according to Allen.

The actor explained that the movie beautifully shows the character completing a personal journey. He finally feels fully accepted by his family and comfortable with his place in the world. His kindness and willingness to help Robert demonstrate that he’s truly found peace and self-acceptance.

Hugh mentioned how readily Robert gave up Downton Abbey, choosing to live in the Dower House nearby. However, the actor, known for his role in *Paddington*, wonders if Robert will actually enjoy having nothing to do.

He jokingly pictured Robert relaxing in a leather armchair at a London club, saying Robert hadn’t done much since leaving the castle except play cards with elderly friends in London.

Allen jokingly described a scene where Tom finds out about Robert’s death while at his villa in South France. He imagined Tom receiving the news by phone, then running to the beach and shouting, “Why? God? Why?”

Actually, Hugh really likes how the story concludes, and he’s glad it leaves the possibility open for fans to imagine what happens next.

He explained that the film concludes on an open-ended note, signaling the end of this particular story arc but leaving the characters’ futures unwritten. He believes it’s up to the viewers to imagine what happens to them next.

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale is currently in theaters. 

For a look back at some of the secrets behind the heartwarming period drama, keep reading. 

The historical drama was inspired by creator Julian Fellowes’ own childhood. His father was a diplomat, and Fellowes shared with *Closer* that his mother wasn’t formally introduced to society like a debutante. His father’s relatives believed she had simply ‘captured’ him and never accepted her fully. They eventually tolerated her because she had four sons, fulfilling their expectations of continuing the family line.

2. Oh, did we mention Fellowes is actually a Baron and a member of the House of Lords? 

Oh my gosh, you will NOT believe this! I was reading Backstage and Jill Trevellick, the casting director, basically said they got almost everyone they *wanted* from the start! Can you believe it? Maggie Smith, Hugh Bonneville, Michelle Dockery, and even Dan Stevens were all their top picks for their roles! It’s like they were *made* to play those characters. I knew they were perfect from the beginning, and now it’s confirmed! I’m so excited!

Finding the right actor for the role of John Bates, the valet, proved to be the biggest challenge in casting. Ultimately, Brendan Coyle got the part, but only after over 60 actors were auditioned. The studio initially doubted he was right for the role for a particular reason.

Oh my gosh, Brendan was *always* the one for the role! Seriously, Julian practically wrote the part *for* him. He was so captivated by Brendan in *North and South* – he just *knew* Brendan was perfect. We saw it right away, but the network folks were a little hesitant at first. It wasn’t about Brendan at all! They were worried he’d been in another historical drama that might air around the same time on a different channel, you know, competing with us. But honestly, we just kept pushing and pushing, and eventually, they gave in! We knew Brendan was the only one who could truly *be* the character.

Six weeks later, they were able to offer Coyle the part.

One of the most shocking moments in the history of *Downton Abbey* happened when Matthew Crawley, a popular character, died in the season three finale. According to actor Dan Stevens, this decision-and his subsequent departure after three years on the show-caused a huge reaction from upset viewers who even demanded explanations, as he told *Entertainment Weekly*.

He said he was happy to move on from *Downton Abbey* because, while long-running TV shows are great, he’s now looking for new roles that will keep him creatively stimulated and engaged.

Julian Fellowes told TopMob News that the decision for Steven to leave the show – and not come back for a guest spot in season four – was what ultimately caused his character to be killed off.

He observed that American contracts are often very detailed, and jokingly mimed cutting his throat to illustrate how it appeared to others. However, the real reason for the change was simply that the person’s three-year contract had ended, and they wanted to pursue other opportunities. It required some effort to resolve the situation, and he recalled receiving some incredibly upsetting letters about it.

I was absolutely heartbroken when Matthew passed away, but honestly, it didn’t stop people from tuning in. The season four premiere was massive – a record-breaking 10.2 million viewers watched, which just shows how much everyone loved the show and him.

If Stevens had let Julian Fellowes know earlier that he was leaving the show, he believes he would have handled the departure of the popular character Lady Sybil differently. He jokingly suggested he might have had both Lady Sybil and her husband killed in a car accident.

Highclere Castle, famously featured in the TV series *Downton Abbey*, has become a hugely popular attraction for tourists in the U.K. It’s such a desirable location that in September 2019, two lucky fans even got to spend a night there through Airbnb, just before the *Downton Abbey* movie came out. The estate itself dates back to the 17th century and covers a massive 100,000 square feet.

The show’s historical consultant shared a popular ghost story connected to the property in an interview with *Travel + Leisure*, suggesting previous renters may have experienced paranormal activity.

Alastair Bruce recalled telling his cousin, Jean Margaret Herbert, Countess of Carnarvon, about the beginning of a show. He described how the scene opens with Daisy starting the day and getting the entire house ready before Lord Grantham appears. Mrs. Hughes is shown moving around, and the camera highlights the keys hanging from her waist. Bruce explained that his cousin, who is also the Dowager Countess of Carnarvon, turned pale because the house is said to be haunted by a former housekeeper, and her presence is signaled by the sound of jangling keys.

Laura Carmichael is best known for playing Lady Edith Crawley, but she nearly skipped the audition that launched her career on the show.

Carmichael explained to the *Tribune News Service* that she initially believed the TV role would be a quick and easy job – perhaps just a single line and a half-day of filming. She thought it would be a good addition to her resume. However, she was already committed to a touring production of Shakespeare’s *Twelfth Night* and worried she’d have to choose between the two. She lamented the idea of giving up her dream Shakespeare role for a small TV part, calling it a ‘disaster!’

In 2012, Gillian Anderson shared that she turned down the role of Cora Crawley, which eventually went to Elizabeth McGovern, who famously played Downton Abbey’s American heiress and Countess of Grantham.

According to *Vanity Fair*, Queen Elizabeth II enjoyed watching the show and even playfully checked it for historical accuracy. Brian Hoey, author of *At Home with the Queen*, told *People* that she “loved to pick out the mistakes.” Prince William also reportedly watched the series, as shared by actor Allan Leech.

Leech remembered shaking hands with the man, who surprisingly told him, ‘I’m a big fan of the show, especially now that we’ve had a baby.’ Leech joked on *Watch What Happens Live* in 2013 that the man clearly had free time, and that Kate Middleton was making him watch the show, even insisting, ‘You’re going to watch it with me!’

14. Smith, who played Dowager Countess Violet Crawley, admitted to never watching the series.

She explained to *The Telegraph* that she avoids looking at her finished work until after the process is complete, finding it a bit discouraging. ‘I always notice things I’d change,’ she said, ‘and then I just wonder why I made those choices in the first place.’

The actresses in the period drama often had to wear corsets beneath their outfits, which caused difficulties, according to head costume designer Susannah Buxton.

It was a really difficult experience for the performers,” she said to *The Mirror*. “The costumes were incredibly uncomfortable, and the dancers weren’t used to wearing them. They were so restrictive that the cast couldn’t even eat while in costume.”

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2025-09-17 23:18