Anyone who followed the TV series will enjoy watching the new Downton Abbey film. The TV series ran for six years and is PBS’s highest-rated dramatic series of all time.
Julian Fellowes is the writer for the TV series and the film. He has done an amazing job at developing the characters of Downton Abbey that we have grown to love so much. When watching the film, it is like nothing has changed. The characters and the cinematography remains consistent, making the movie feel like a continuation of the TV series.
Downton Abbey made a successful transition to movie theatres with most of its core cast. The only noticeable absence from the film is Lady Rose MacClare who was portrayed by Lily James in the TV series. With so many characters returning for the film, one would think Fellowes would have his hands full, but he successfully incorporates all of the old cast while also bringing new and interesting characters into the mix.
The most compelling addition is Maud Bagshaw, portrayed by Imelda Staunton. Her character is a lady-in-waiting for the Queen and, as we soon learn from scheming Violet Crawley (Maggie Smith), she has a family connection to Downton.
Anyone watching the film with no knowledge of the TV series might have quite a few blank looks during it. Fans have watched the characters develop over the years and know why they make certain decisions. Someone new to Downton Abbey might not catch on to all the nuances that happen in the film.
Not a lot happens in the film plot-wise, but fans of the TV show will be okay with that because it’s exciting enough that we are back in Downton. The film starts off with a letter from the Buckingham Palace announcing that King George V and Queen Mary (the grandparents of today’s Queen Elizabeth II) will be spending the night at Downton. This is a huge deal to the entire household. The aristocrats are more on the worried side of things whereas the downstairs servants are excited to serve royalty.
Right away we are brought back into the scheme of things. Violet Crawley is already playing whatever cards she can to bring money back to the Crawley name. We notice the sister rivalry between Lady Mary Talbot (Michelle Dockery) and Lady Edith Crawley (Laura Carmichael) through their chilling interactions.
Downton Abbey fans will be glad to see that Mr. Molesley (Kevin Doyle) comes back for the film. He begs to return to his old job to be able to serve for the one night the King and Queen are there. His character is the comic relief of the series. Mr. Carson (Jim Carter) also returns to help for the night because Lady Mary is worried that Mr. Barrow (Robert James-Collier) won’t be up for the task.
Later on in the film, a crisis occurs when snobby royal servants come to replace Downton’s staff. Humiliated and upset, Downton’s staff quickly come up with a plan to make the royal staff disappear so that they can serve the King and Queen. Anna Bates (Joanne Froggatt) is again leading the way for fun mischief.
In every scene that she was in, Smith stole the spotlight. She is always up to something and not caring what that might impose on the family. In her mind, she is doing whatever she can to bring the Crawley name what it deserves.
She says the line, “I never argue, I explain,” which we all laugh at and immediately know nothing has changed.
Downton Abbey is great fun to watch, and in every scene we are captivated by how the characters haven’t changed at all — and how we love that so much. Who knows, maybe Downton Abbey might have another film or continuation of some sort. All we can do is hope.
