She says that she does not want to be in service for the rest of her life and often complains about her surroundings. Jimmy Kent (played by Ed Speleers) was one of two new footmen introduced in series three, after the end of World War I. The Dowager Countess also shared a lovely final moment with Tom and Lucy Branson that reflected on how the former chauffeur once caused chaos by eloping with the late Lady Sybill (Jessica Brown-Findlay) but Tom has since transformed into a beloved member of the family. But . Pride and Prejudice Variations Lord Sinderby was said to have been opposed to his marriage to Rose while his wife accepts her because "her son's happiness is more important". She takes up causes to help the disadvantaged and strives to make the world a better place. Miss Carteret are featured to set off Sir Walters snobbishness, and the text demonstrates that The Hon. is used in the newspaper and on calling cards, but never at any other time. In 1921, Rose's relationship with her mother has soured, though her relationship with her father is better. Despite his questions, he does so. Edith struggles with revealing the truth about Marigold to Bertie before accepting him. Affable and good-natured, he was also a competent pianist (actor Thomas Howes is a pianist) and would entertain other servants during their free time. In series four, Jimmy is something of an antagonist, stirring the pot for amusement and to get at Alfred, his professional rival. [19], Executive producer Gareth Neame stated that Finneran had chosen to leave the series. It is he who eventually talks Lady Mary out of her listless grief over Matthew's death. She begins to feel he is a sensible match for her. A shocked Anna begins to ask how the case is sorted out but Bates silences her, saying they will speak of it later. When Rose responds that the prince was very popular, the king dryly remarks that "the prince is never short of popularity." Michael encouraged Edith to never be afraid to speak her mind and to write about whatever she wanted, even if it was not expected of a woman. The king is later heard in a radio broadcast, voiced by Jon Glover. Lord Grantham insists on using his influence to get Freddie into Ripon Grammar School and paying the school fees in future. During the first series he had strong feelings for Daisy. With Matthew off at war and Mrs Crawley working with the Red Cross in France he and Mrs Bird, the family cook, find themselves in an empty house with no one to serve. At first Matthew considered turning it down, but the inheritance was automatic. They all later head downstairs to the servants' hall to find a present left for him: a dog whom he names Tiaa. Although he says his feelings for her are sincere, and he offers to buy a stately home near Downton where they can live together and start a family, he demands near-total control and threatens that if she leaves him he will expose her liaison with Ottoman attach Kemal Pamuk, which he has covered up from exposure. "What shall we call each other?" Isobel was at the train station to see Matthew off to Scotland to visit Duneagle Castle. Their increased companionship is suggested by showing Jimmy often with a cigarette. Having known each other since childhood, they married young and had a very unhappy marriage. Martha has a slightly strained relationship with her daughter Cora and frequently trades barbed insults with Violet. Matters are made much worse when Murray confirms that her history, of which the police are now aware, would look convincingly to the police like Anna was capable of violence. She just bossed everyone around and thought she was better than everyone else since she didn't grow up rich or living a luxurious life. She is best friends with Mrs Patmore. When Barrow begins treating himself to cure his homosexuality and is suffering, Baxter convinces him to see Dr Clarkson, after which Barrow treats her with more respect. He is initially reticent about his family, but mentions that his great-grandfather and his family were Russian Jews from Odessa who had emigrated to England during the 19th century and eventually anglicised their family name. Sybil (now pregnant) and Tom return to Downton after fleeing Ireland in the third series, where Sybil gives birth to a daughter but dies soon after due to eclampsia. The female servants report to her. Barrow succeeds him as butler, with Carson serving in a supervisory role. He returns to Downton in 1922, clearly still interested in the recently widowed Mary. He also later mentions Jimmy to Phyllis Baxter in a bout of sadness and annoyance that he's gone. Nonfiction Series six deals with Carson's and Hughes' marriage and life as a married couple. This makes Bertie, as the nearest male heir, the new Marquess of Hexham. Nevertheless, he maintains a fascination with medicine. He and Anna fall in love, but he explains he has yet to divorce his estranged wife, Vera. Daisy Mason, who is interested in Alfred, repeatedly tries to sabotage Ivy, Jimmy and Alfred in hopes that Alfred will realise that Ivy is no good for him. Downton Abbey: A New Era doesn't close out the long-running saga but instead, leaves the door wide open for another sequel without Maggie Smith returning as Lady Violet. Matthew calls her "Mother," the servants call her "madam" or "ma'am," and Lord Grantham and Lady Edith call her "Cousin Isobel:" presumably other members of the family do as well (except for Granny, of course). Your online source for Jane Austen and her legacy, Image of commoner Isobel Crawley greeting peer Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham in Downton Abbey. Some of the family do not recognise her at first, but when they do they are surprised at her elevated status. Carson's return to duty means he will work side-by-side with his wife, Elsie (Phyllis Logan), once more. AlthoughDownton Abbey: A New Era ends with a tragic death of a beloved character, the sequel also marks new beginnings for the Crawley family and their servants. Robert Crawley Lord Grantham, while well-intentioned, is an idiot. She now realises the 10-month trip to Switzerland was a farce. The Duke of Crowborough: a suitor of Lady Marys, he is addressed by members of society as Your Grace upon first introduction, and thereafter as Duke (or, less formally, Crowborough) and as Your Grace by everyone else, and referred to as the Duke. We never even learn his given name. In the second series, with most of the male staff depicted as serving in the First World War, Mr Carson finds himself under mostly self-imposed pressure to ensure household duties are carried out to his exacting standards. She is replaced in her position by Jane, a war widow. In the second series, William wanted to enlist in the Army but was forbidden by his father, as he was the only other surviving member of the family. In the series finale, Carson begins to suffer from palsy that ultimately forces him into semi-retirement. However, in episode 4 she begins to suffer severe cramps and fears she is suffering another miscarriage. While Barrow is away in America with Lord Grantham (as John Bates asked to be excused from the trip to remain with his wife), Baxter grows closer to Joseph Molesley, who treats her with respect. Carson quickly steps forward to comfort her, and assures her she will always find a source of support in him. Between series five and series six they move to New York; sometime before Christmas 1925 they have a daughter named Victoria. She invited both Tom and Dr Clarkson to dinner at her house whilst the rest of the family were away. Mr. Mason's roadblock was simply that "it isn't right" that he would move in with Mrs. Patmore and be supported by a woman, but all it really took was for Beryl to share whiskey and talk Mason into it for him to agree. He was the son of the earls uncle, a younger brother of his father, who would have been The Hon. He has a sister, Mrs Chetwood, who writes to Cora with the recipe for his favourite dessert, apple charlotte. Edith decides she wants the child back and plans to reclaim her, then places her in the care of a local pig farmer and his wife. Later, however, he is turned down as Mrs Hughes does not wish to leave Downton, but the two part on good terms. When Matthew returns from the First World War injured she refuses to leave him despite being told that he will never walk again and is impotent. Be sure to check out our curated recommendation lists and subscribe to receive email notifications of new posts in your inbox. She is convinced that he may take her back and they can get married, but he gently tells her that he is too old for her and that he doesn't want her to waste away her life caring for him. He is appointed Governor of Bombay that year, and he and his wife travel to India. Violet has Clarkson lie to mend their marriage. "[17] Finneran stated her belief that O'Brien's negative attitudes originated from how the character "has basically sacrificed her entire life to somebody else, for the good of their life and their home its no wonder that she would get frustrated or angry about things. Edith's grandmother (and Rosamund's mother) is highly suspicious of this plan and discovers later that Edith left when she was around 34 months pregnant to give birth there. She praised Tom for his rise, and later attended the Thirsk fair with Dr. Clarkson. When she discovers that Andy sabotaged a pump because he thought she was flirting with a plumber, she assures him that she was not, and admits that she is impressed by his strength of feeling. She volunteers with a charity in Leeds to help Russian refugees who have resettled in England. Related: Downton Abbey's Movie Is Just The TV Show Again (& That's Why It's Great). Shortly beforehand, Thomas signs up to the Royal Army Medical Corps in an effort to avoid being sent to the frontline for the war that is soon coming. Rose befriends the prince's mistress, Freda Dudley Ward, who comes to her when a letter from the prince is stolen by Terence Sampson, a greedy acquaintance from Robert's club. After the Titanic tragedy, the heir to Downton is Matthew Crawley, Robert's third cousin once removed. She is a widow as her husband died during the First World War. In 1923 Harold Levinson apparently takes a liking to Daisy's cooking, and his valet Ethan Slade offers Daisy a position so she can come to America and work for him. Isobel Crawley. While Henry was abroad and her grandmama died, Lady Mary began her transformation into the next Lady Violet, complete with a new romance that echoes the trysts the Dowager Countess had in her youth. At that time, it is inferred that Jimmy has kept up appearances by teasing Thomas and giving him a very clear cold shoulder that even Alfred notices is extreme. Before going to Munich to begin his path to obtain German citizenship, he and Edith spend their last night together, making love for the first and last time. She insults Barrow's arrogance and manner, though he responds in kind, and she leaves Downton once again. Bates sneaks up behind Anna, surprising her, then pulls her aside. When Mrs Patmore returns, they run the Garden Party for the hospital fund together. [18] Jen Chaney of Vulture ranked O'Brien as the series' second most "despicable" character. After Ethel attracts considerable gossip, the Dowager Countess intervenes, having Lady Edith place an advertisement for Ethel, so she may find a position elsewhere and have a fresh start. The Crawley. He is accompanied by his boss Charles Blake as they are working on a government project studying estates and their progress. She later retracts the statement as she feels guilty and over time, her feelings for Thomas diminish and she notices that Downton's other footman, William, likes her. Molesley is not happy with the prospect, thinking it degrading to become a footman when he has been trained as a valet and butler. Sir Herbert leaves Downton the next morning with no knowledge of the incident. Shortly after this, of her free will, Jane leaves service at Downton. Barrow is badly beaten instead. In episode 2, Bates discovers Anna yet again upset, after having told Lady Mary about her pregnancy problems. She manages to stop the divorce that Mr Bates thought was a foregone conclusion, and he goes to London to confront her. Regardless of the reasons, this opening shot in Lady Granthams campaign against the usurper is as funny as it is rude. The Crawleys and Rose succeed in retrieving the letter, after which the grateful prince unexpectedly arrives and opens Rose's debutante ball at their house, dancing with Rose. This puts strain on the couple, as Anna is too frightened to ask John the truth of his trip to York. William Mason (played by Thomas Howes) (d. 1918) was the second footman at Downton. He informs Lady Grantham that he suspects the new nanny may be mistreating the children in some way. Lady Mary may have an absentee husband and feels the daily pressure of running Downton but she also knows her children with Matthew and Henry are set up for the future. Some also appear in one or both of the film sequels: Downton Abbey (2019), and Downton Abbey: A New Era (2022). Anthony Strallan (played by Robert Bathurst) was Edith's much older suitor. She also tells Bertie she is feeling unfulfilled in the role of marchioness. She is very trustworthy, polite, and loyal to the Crawley family and her "downstairs" co-workers. Joe Burns (played by Bill Fellows) is a former suitor to Mrs Hughes. Rose becomes restless and persuades Anna into accompanying her to a dance hall in York, where Anna attracts the attention of some young men but barely escapes when a fight ensues. They are both in competition for the top position of first footman, which Jimmy is constantly sabotaging Alfred for. Jane Austen Merchandise In series six, she and her father have left for America, only for them to return to stay at Downton in the third episode. "[12] Emily Orley, also of Buzzfeed, argued that the storyline of the rape of Anna had too much focus on the male characters.[13]. Upon discovering that film star Guy Dexter is also a closeted gay man who fancies him, Barrow took the actor up on his offer to become his jack-of-all-trades. In episode 3, Mary asks if Anna has considered Dr Ryder's advice. Carlisle leaves the morning before the Servants' Ball, but not before revealing that he did genuinely love her. Although the neighbour at first recants her story, she eventually gives a statement that clears Bates, who is freed from prison, returns to Downton, and moves into a nearby cottage with Anna. Shortly after their wedding night, Bates is arrested for murdering his previous wife, although Anna and the rest of the residents at Downton are convinced that he is innocent. In series six, Gwen returns, eleven years later, to Downton as a successful married woman, although she visits the mansion only in the fourth episode. [2] Early on, she is portrayed as a petulant and cold young woman; as the series progresses, however, she shows more vulnerability and compassion. She plays outside with her cousins Sybil and George, as the adults are having tea inside the Downton estate. Bates nearly begs to stay, pointing out that he is unlikely to find another position (because of his disability), but Lord Grantham is unmoved. She is also entrusted with teaching Lady Sybil how to cook, something which the pair enjoy. O'Brien, whose brother suffered from shell shock and eventually died in combat, is uncharacteristically sympathetic and kind to him. She is devoted to Robert and his family and thus feels it is her duty to speak her mind on every possible occasion, though her interference in her nieces' decisions often has disastrous results. He starts his employment there in 1910 as a junior footman. Though both Prince Kuragin and Violet were married, they fell in love and attempted to run away together, but did not succeed. Following his father's premature death, George becomes heir to his grandfather Robert and the Downton estate. As Anna returns to Downton, Bates is still missing, leaving her miserable. However, the investigation into Green's death begins to wind down, as the police have failed to find anything more than circumstantial evidence to link Bates to the crime. She also has a nephew, Alfred Nugent, who later becomes a footman at Downton. Ethel bursts into the meeting with her son, proclaiming that Charlie is their grandchild, but Mr Bryant accuses Ethel of only being after their money and insists that his son was a good man. Classic Literature The Marchioness's lady's maid tells Vera about Lady Mary's liaison with Kemal Pamuk. Janeite and etiquette maven Laura Wallace to the rescue. Inspector Vyner of Scotland Yard returns to Downton and informs Anna and Bates that they have discovered that Green attacked several women. He tells Robert in another letter how to contact him. His mother died of illness towards the end of the first series. He continues to notice the change in her mood after Anna tells Mary that she believes she is pregnant again. The intended dinner conversation quickly becomes a heated argument in front of the bemused minister, and the Earl of Grantham collapses from a perforated ulcer, ending the gathering while he is rushed to hospital. Alfred's largest rival is fellow footman Jimmy Kent, who is shorter than Alfred, but quite handsome. While John is in prison, Anna is able to track down a neighbour of Vera's who saw her on the day of her death. Isobel allies with Dickie and Cora and they also pursuade Dr Clarkson to change his opinion in their favour. Period Drama In series 6 only credited with the main cast in "The Finale". Sybil "Sybbie" Branson, (b. late May 1920) is the daughter and only child of Tom Branson and the late Lady Sybil Branson (ne Crawley). Matthew dies because his actor chose to leave the series. The Crawleys are a wealthy aristocratic family who live in and hold rights to the Downton Abbey estate (which they have held since at least 1772, when the 1st Earl of Grantham was raised to the earldom). In series three, she has a breast cancer scare; the lump is eventually diagnosed as benign. O'Brien then preys on Jimmy's discomfort and embarrassment to have him blackmail Mr Carson into sacking Thomas without a reference, otherwise Jimmy will go to the police. William asked Daisy if she would give him a photo that he could carry with him. Both of them, in particular Larry, treat her with disrespect. The older Mr Mason later explains to Daisy that William was his only surviving child and he had realised that William married Daisy not just because he cared for her but so his father would have someone to keep company. During the First World War with the men away fighting, Mr Drake needs help on his farm. Kemal Pamuk (played by Theo James) (d. 1913) was an attach at the Turkish Embassy in London and the son of one of the Ottoman Sultan's ministers. Matthew is introduced in Season 1 when Lord Grantham's original heir dies on the . She is rescued (to her relatives' dismay) by black singer Jack Ross. Timid by nature, other characters frequently take advantage of her naivete or pull rank by tricking her or handing her the more undesirable and menial tasks. Daisy suggests that he could take up residence with Mrs Patmore, but Mason dislikes the idea of being retired and dependent on a woman not his wife. Lady Edith (Laura Carmichael), the Marchioness of Hexam, is very happy with her husband, Bertie Pelham (Harry Hadden-Patton), the Marquess of Hexam, and their children's futures are also financially secure. ), Mr. Kemal Pamuk: an attach at the Turkish Embassy, who apparently has no English-equivalent rank other than Mr.. Taking the Dowager Countess at her word, Robert's title as Lord Grantham is secured and will be passed to Mary and Matthew's son George (Zac and Oliver Barker) when Robert passes away and George comes of age. Her efforts are rewarded when her father-in-law is offered the tenancy of Yew Tree Farm, located in the Downton estate. Bates then disappears and is now on the run. Mr Mason becomes father-in-law to Daisy when she marries his son on his deathbed. Tony instead becomes engaged to the Hon. But when learning of his status, Matthew (as the heir to Downton Abbey) instructs him to put an end to his relationship with Edith. Unluckily, while the tryst is occurring, Lady Edith accidentally starts a fire in a nearby bedroom, which pulls Thomas away from his post. Bertie asks Edith to marry him the night of Charlie Rogers' death. Mabel Lane-Fox, whom Mary refers to as "the greatest heiress of the season." Evelyn Napier: The son and heir of Viscount Branksome (a peer whom we have not met), and a suitor of Lady Marys. A New Eraalso pays off long-running storylines and sets up the next phase of the Crawleys' lives, while also saying goodbye to perhaps Downton Abbey's most iconic character. Regency She calls it off with him but he becomes angry and refuses to break it off with her. Although she is usually supportive of Mr Carson when it comes to matters of discipline, she is seldom afraid of speaking her mind when he makes decisions; Carson in turn dislikes proceeding with any choice without her approval.