Series cast summary: | |||
Hugh Bonneville | ... |
Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham
(52 episodes, 2010-2015)
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Laura Carmichael | ... |
Lady Edith Crawley
(52 episodes, 2010-2015)
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Jim Carter | ... |
Charles Carson
(52 episodes, 2010-2015)
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Brendan Coyle | ... |
John Bates
(52 episodes, 2010-2015)
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Michelle Dockery | ... |
Lady Mary Crawley
(52 episodes, 2010-2015)
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Joanne Froggatt | ... |
Anna Bates
/ ...
(52 episodes, 2010-2015)
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Rob James-Collier | ... |
Thomas Barrow
(52 episodes, 2010-2015)
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Phyllis Logan | ... |
Mrs. Hughes
(52 episodes, 2010-2015)
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Elizabeth McGovern | ... |
Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham
(52 episodes, 2010-2015)
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Sophie McShera | ... |
Daisy Mason
/ ...
(52 episodes, 2010-2015)
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Lesley Nicol | ... |
Mrs. Patmore
(52 episodes, 2010-2015)
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Maggie Smith | ... |
Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham
(52 episodes, 2010-2015)
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Penelope Wilton | ... |
Isobel Crawley
(52 episodes, 2010-2015)
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Kevin Doyle | ... |
Joseph Molesley
(46 episodes, 2010-2015)
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Allen Leech | ... |
Tom Branson
(45 episodes, 2010-2015)
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David Robb | ... |
Dr. Clarkson
(34 episodes, 2010-2015)
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Siobhan Finneran | ... |
Sarah O'Brien
(25 episodes, 2010-2012)
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Dan Stevens | ... |
Matthew Crawley
(25 episodes, 2010-2012)
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Raquel Cassidy | ... |
Baxter
(23 episodes, 2013-2015)
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Lily James | ... |
Lady Rose MacClare
(21 episodes, 2012-2015)
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Lord Grantham sees his family heritage, especially the grand country home Downton Abbey, as his mission in life. The death of his heir aboard the Titanic means distant cousin Matthew Crawley, a Manchester lawyer, suddenly is next in line and accepts moving onto the vast estate with his even more modernist, socially engaged mother, who clashes with his lordship's domineering, conservative mother, the dowager countess. Marrying off the daughters is another concern. Meanwhile, the butler presides over a staff which serves the family, but also lead most of their entire lives in the servants' quarters, intriguing amongst themselves. Written by KGF Vissers
This is beautifully filmed, with authenticity and societal values inherent in both script and acting. The story weaves in and out of two layers of society -- the masters and the servants -- giving us glimpses into the power struggles occurring on each level, and the colourful characters who inhabit both. I particularly enjoy seeing the large-scale production involved in taking care of a household of this magnitude, and the care taken with all the details. Given today's rapid pace, it's almost peaceful to watch this deliberately slowed pace, and to get a genuine sense of what it was like to be an estate-owner in this period. Housemaids who gossip, independent young men who don't appreciate the butler's code of honour, catty women and genteel sophisticates all combine to make this a very enjoyable romp among the rich of yesteryear!