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Season 1 – Downton Abbey

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – Downton Abbey Sep 2010 History Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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86% Tomatometer 7 Reviews 95% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
This British drama series follows the lives of the Crawley family and its servants in the family's classic Georgian country house. The series begins with the 1912 sinking of the Titanic, which leaves Downton Abbey's future in jeopardy, since the presumptive heirs of Robert, Earl of Grantham -- his cousin James, and James' son, Patrick -- die in the catastrophe, leaving the family without a male offspring to take over Downton when the current lord dies. The point is important since Lord Grantham's children are daughters -- Ladies Mary, Edith and Sybil, but the facets of their lives and of those of the below-stairs staff -- also a highly regimented world -- have fascinating story lines.
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Downton Abbey — Season 1

Downton Abbey — Season 1

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Critics Consensus

Downton Abbey transcends its soapy plotting with witty dialogue, lavish costumes and sets, and an outstanding cast.

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Critics Reviews

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Cady Lang TIME Magazine 05/20/2024
While the show’s ostentatiously grand sets and costumes are a feast for the eyes, the real draw of the show is its wealth of starry talent. Go to Full Review
Kelly Lawler USA Today 11/10/2021
What makes it so riveting is the way it dresses up soapy drama in high-class clothes: a little trashy, a little classy and a lot of Maggie Smith asking what a "weekend" is. Go to Full Review
Sean Axmaker Stream on Demand May 9
The series drops us into the Edwardian era of the 1910s to chronicle the last generation of this kind of class society, where the servants are as invested in the social culture of manners and conventions as the aristocrats they serve. Go to Full Review
David Bianculli NPR's Fresh Air 03/29/2019
It's not unreasonable to expect a period drama like Downton Abbey to offer scenes of illicit romance and unexpected death -- but at the same time? All that, and there's a fox hunt, too. Go to Full Review
James Fenton The New York Review of Books 11/06/2018
Great care has been taken to keep them pleasant and approachable, even when the things they say are sometimes shown to be class-bound and unfeeling. Go to Full Review
Adam Sweeting The Arts Desk 07/18/2018
Downton Abbey feels ripe with potential, both for addictively gossipy tales of relationships and rivalries as well as for longer arcs of social change and historical unravelling. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Stephen C @bob25009 Sep 15 7 successful episodes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more Claudia V. @Claudiav Aug 28 One of my favorite shows. Have seen it many times! See more Alexsander F @Aelxs Jul 1 This is one of the best period dramas ever made. See more Nicolaas J Apr 25 Downton Abbey is not just a television series or a film—it’s an experience. A rich, sweeping, emotionally resonant journey through time that captures the complexities of class, family, and duty with rare elegance. It's the kind of storytelling that reminds you why you fell in love with cinema and television in the first place. At the heart of it all is Dame Maggie Smith, whose portrayal of the Dowager Countess is nothing short of legendary. With a single raised eyebrow or a dryly delivered quip, she steals every scene she graces. Her performance is a masterclass in restraint, wit, and emotional depth. She's the soul of Downton, and the screen simply glows when she’s on it. Hugh Bonneville brings gravity and warmth to Lord Grantham, navigating the shifting tides of tradition and change with quiet dignity. He grounds the Crawley family with a presence that is both commanding and deeply human. Whether wrestling with the weight of legacy or offering a tender moment with his daughters, Bonneville delivers with heart and precision. Michelle Dockery, as Lady Mary, continues to stun with her layered performance. Cool and poised on the surface, yet brimming with vulnerability beneath, Dockery’s work is subtle and powerful. Watching her navigate love, loss, and leadership is endlessly compelling—she embodies the evolution of Downton itself. From the dazzling costumes to the meticulous set design, from the rousing score to the perfectly crafted dialogue, every frame of Downton Abbey radiates care, craftsmanship, and heart. It's a rare gem in a crowded landscape—a drama that honors its characters and audience alike. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the Crawley estate, Downton Abbey is a triumph. Long may it reign. See more Jeremiah D 01/31/2025 Incredible drama illustrating the dichotomy between the affluent and the working-class people of the early 1900's. The historical accuracy, wardrobe, and events are spot on. Beautifully written and wonderfully acted. Not my typical genre of entertainment but I love a series that is thought out and well done. I was enthralled. See more Wyatt E 05/29/2024 A great TV show, with well written dialog, good actors that work off of each other well in fitting roles that are portrayed perfectly, and lastly good music with great drama and supesne See more Read all reviews
Downton Abbey — Season 1

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Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Sep 26, 2010 The lives of the Crawley family and the servants of Downton Abbey change when the sinking of the Titanic leaves the estate without an apparent heir. Some of the staff plot to make the stay of the new valet short-lived. Details Episode 2 Aired Oct 3, 2010 Everyone is anxious about the arrival of Matthew Crawley and his mother, Isobel. They have some difficulty adjusting to class differences, and there is some resentment about his being the new heir. Details Episode 3 Aired Oct 10, 2010 Cora's attempts at matchmaking are dashed when Mary is smitten with the friend of an intended suitor. The couple's attraction starts a series of events with consequences that affect the entire household. Details Episode 4 Aired Oct 17, 2010 The fair arrives in the village, and Mrs. Hughes finds herself the center of speculation when she reunites with a former suitor. Meanwhile, Violet and Isobel lock horns over Molesley's medical ailment. Details Episode 5 Aired Oct 24, 2010 As the village prepares for the annual flower show, Isobel finds herself in conflict with Violet. Mary is introduced to a potential suitor, but she is taking notice of Matthew. Details Episode 6 Aired Oct 31, 2010 Sybil's determination to pursue her political leanings ends up causing her an injury when a fight breaks out at an election campaign meeting. Sybil's sisters note Matthew's tenderness in caring for her. Details Episode 7 Aired Nov 7, 2010 Cora makes a discovery that could throw the inheritance issue into chaos. Under pressure from her aunt, Lady Rosamund Painswick, Mary keeps Matthew waiting for an answer to his proposal. Details
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Season Info

Director
Brian Percival, Brian Kelly, Ben Bolt
Screenwriter
Julian Fellowes, Tina Pepler, Shelagh Stephenson
Network
ITV
Rating
TV-PG
Genre
History, Drama
Original Language
British English
Release Date
Sep 26, 2010
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