Everyone is downsizing. Even the wealthy are feeling the effects. Taxes are rising, incomes are falling. Debt must be consolidated, properties sold to pay the bills. The world is changing rapidly. Life is uncertain.
Sound familiar?
Not 2025. It’s 1930 and the crash of 1929 has just occurred in the world of Downtown Abbey: The Grand Finale, due to be released to the public September 12th.
Elizabeth McGovern as Cora Grantham and Hugh Bonneville as Robert Grantham
In the prior television series, it was the head of the family, Lord Robert Grantham, who lost money to the point where his mother, Violet, the Dowager Countess, played by the irreplaceable Maggie Smith (may she rest in thespian peace) was considering opening a hat shop. Now it is Cora, his American wife, played again by Elizabeth McGovern, who has lost her fortune in the stock market crash.
Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary and Laura Carmichael as Lady Edith
And, horror of horrors, Lady Mary is, wait for it, getting a divorce! Unheard of in polite society. Will she become a pariah, even as she schemes to take over running the estate and the vast house? Michelle Dockery, in her perfect role, is convincing in her insecurities. She is even asking her sister, Lady Edith, for help.
The landed gentry are in trouble, again.
(L to R) Allen Leech stars as Tom Branson, Dominic West as Guy Dexter and Robert James-Collier as Thomas Barrow
In 1930 Noel Coward, my second favorite British playwright, after Shakespeare, is famous for his satirical, witty plays about the mores of the upper classes. He is invited to visit Downtown Abbey with his companion, Guy Dexter, played by the handsome Dominic West. (Prince Charles in The Crown). They cause quite a stir.
(L to R) Phyllis Logan as Mrs. Hughes, Sophie McShera as Daisy Parker, Lesley Nicol as Mrs. Patmore, Jim Carter as Mr. Carson, Michael Fox as Andy Parker, Robert James-Collier as Thomas Barrow, Dominic West as Guy Dexter and Arty Froushan as Noël Coward
The settings in Highclere castle are gorgeous, the period costumes outstanding. The dialogue by Julian Fellowes sparkles. His sub plots of the minor characters weave perfectly through the film. Hugh Bonneville reprises his role as the Earl of Grantham, now a truculent, reluctant retiree, unwilling to hand over the reins. Will he finally do it?
The passing of time, 15 years since the first episode of the television series, is beautifully and poignantly conveyed. The characters have aged, along with the rest of us.
I loved every minute of it.
Top: (L to R) Laura Carmichael as Lady Edith, Harry Hadden-Paton as Bertie Hexham, Elizabeth McGovern as Cora Grantham, Hugh Bonneville stars as Robert Grantham and Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary
(Credit for all photos: Rory Mulvey / © 2025 FOCUS FEATURES LLC)
