The Downton Abbey movie is released this weekend, but it’s been a good four years since the series’ final episode. The cinematic outing is set two years after that 1926 New Year’s Day scene, as King George V comes to visit. Having been through all kinds of highs and lows, not to mention marriages and babies, just where are all the main characters at the start of the film? Here’s an update on both upstairs and downstairs.
UPSTAIRS
Lord and Lady Grantham aka Robert and Cora Crawley (Hugh Bonneville and Elizabeth McGovern)
His Lordship had been suffering from stomach pains in 1925. On one occasion he vomited blood at dinner and was rushed to hospital for a gastrectomy.
Will Lord Grantham’s health problems subside? Meanwhile, Her Ladyship took on duties at the hospital, which she and Robert quarreled over a bit.
Lady Violet Crawley aka The Dowager Countess (Maggie Smith)
The Dowager has come to terms with the fact that Cora is truly the new Lady Grantham, and praised her for her running of the household and hospital.
While there’s peace with her daughter-in-law, a clip from the movie looks like Lady Violet will clash with Queen Mary’s lady-in-waiting Lady Maud.
Lady Mary and Henry Talbot (Michelle Dockery and Matthew Goode)
Happily married to Henry Talbot, the final episode saw Lady Mary reveal to her husband that she’s pregnant with his child, who will be a sibling for the now six-year-old George Crawley – son of the late Matthew.
Lady Edith and Bertie Pelham (Laura Carmichael and Harry Hadden-Paton)
The final episode saw Lady Edith marry Bertie Pelham, 7th Marquess of Hexham, after his mother accepted her despite Edith’s daughter Marigold being born out of wedlock by the late Michael Gregson.
Now a Marchioness, Lady Edith actually outranks her sister Lady Mary.
Tom Branson (Allen Leech)
The former chauffeur, estate manager of Downton Abbey and late husband of Lady Sybil decided to go into the car business with Henry Talbot at the close of the last series.
The Irish socialist – whose daughter Sybbie is now seven – remains single, but Lady Maud’s maid Lucy Smith has taken his fancy in the film’s trailer.
Baroness Isobel Grey and Lord Richard Merton (Penelope Wilton and Douglas Reith)
In the final episode, Isobel Crawley agreed to marry Lord Dickie Merton, despite his suffering from pernicious anemia, which turned out to only be mild.
DOWNSTAIRS
Mr and Mrs Carson (Jim Carter and Phyllis Logan)
Mr Carson is finally married to the former Mrs Hughes. However, the last episode saw the butler tender his resignation to Lord Grantham because he suffers from “the palsy”.
Barrow became the new butler, however, a frosty clip from the Downton Abbey movie sees Carson reinstated to his former position for King George V’s visit which his successor does not take well at all.
Mr and Mrs Bates (Brendan Coyle and Joanne Froggatt)
The last time we saw the servant couple Anna had given birth to a healthy son.
Thomas Barrow (Rob James-Collier)
The former Under-butler attempted to take his own life in 1925 but was saved by the other servants. The experience changed him for the better, realising his negative behaviour had made him feel low and saw that happiness could come from his friendships.
As mentioned above, Barrow is now the butler of Downton Abbey but isn’t happy with Carson coming back to take his role.
Meanwhile, the movie trailer saw Barrow dancing with a man, suggesting the secretly gay butler may find a partner.
Mr Molesley and Miss Baxter (Kevin Doyle and Raquel Cassidy)
The last episode suggested a potential romance between the pair, while Mr Molesley had left the service for a teaching position at the school. Nevertheless, it looks like he’s been brought back for the film’s Royal visit.
Mrs Patmore and Mr Mason (Lesley Nicol and Paul Copley)
Another romance may be brewing between Downton’s cook and the farmer, as suggested in the finale. However, it doesn’t look like Mr Mason is in the movie.
Daisy and Andy (Sophie McShera and Michael C Fox)
The final episode saw Andy try to woo Daisy, however, she was uninterested for a while until she grew fond of him.
She also decided to go and live on Mr Mason’s farm, the father of her late husband William. Perhaps Daisy and Andy will get married?
Downton Abbey is released in UK cinemas on Friday.
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