Home > Downton Abbey > Season 3 « TV Series Page Downton Abbey: Season 3 (2012) + WANT TO SEE Episode List All Critics | Top Critics TOMATOMETER 81% Average Rating: 7.78/10 Season Reviews: 37 Fresh: 30 Rotten: 7 Critics Consensus: In its third season, Downton Abbey remains a gripping, fascinating look at 1920s England, though its melodramatic plotting occasionally veers into less satisfying territory. 78% Average Rating: 8.0/10 Season Reviews: 23 Fresh: 18 Rotten: 5 Critics Consensus: No consensus yet. Critic Consensus: In its third season, Downton Abbey remains a gripping, fascinating look at 1920s England, though its melodramatic plotting occasionally veers into less satisfying territory. AUDIENCE SCORE No Score Yet Average Rating: 4.1/5 User Ratings: ADD YOUR RATING Share on Facebook Post Want to See Add Rating My Rating × Want to See Post Share on Facebook Episodes 1 Episode One The third season of "Downton Abbey" commences with the family and staff preparing for Mary and Matthew's wedding; and Cora's mother (Shirley MacLaine) arriving from the U.S. Robert, meanwhile, receives bad news about an investment; and O'Brien arranges for her nephew to become the new footman. More 2 Episode Two Mary and Violet set out to persuade Martha to save Downton; O'Brien and Thomas are at odds; Mrs. Hughes has a health scare that she shares with Mrs. Patmore; Isobel discovers that Ethel has turned to prostitution. More 3 Episode Three The future of Downton Abbey rests on a letter written by Lavinia's late father to Matthew. In other events, Edith prepares for her wedding to Sir Anthony; Mrs. Hughes receives news from Dr. Clarkson; Bates has trouble with his cellmate; and Thomas feeds false information about O'Brien to Molesley. More 4 Episode Four Tom and the pregnant Sybil arrive at Downton after an incident in Ireland has left Tom a wanted man; Edith has a letter in support of women's suffrage published in a newspaper. More 5 Episode Five Edith is asked to pen a newspaper column; Isobel offers Ethel a position in her household; Matthew questions the management of the estate; Sybil goes into labor while Dr. Clarkson and an esteemed obstetrician Robert hired disagree about the delivery. More 6 Episode Six Cora and Robert stop speaking to each other; Branson decides to name his daughter Sybil and wishes to have her baptized as a Catholic, which doesn't go over well with Robert; Mrs. Patmore lends a hand to Ethel when the Crawley women are invited to Isobel's for lunch. More 7 Episode Seven Bates is freed from prison; Thomas makes a play for Jimmy; Branson's brother visits; Violet supports Edith's desire to become a journalist; Matthew discusses the mismanagement of the estate with Robert. More 8 Episode Eight Robert is keen on putting together a viable team for the annual cricket match against the town. In other events, Violet's great-niece Rose arrives for a stay; Carson wants to fire Thomas. More 9 A Journey To The Highlands The Crawley Family take a trip to Duneagle Castle in Scotland to visit Violet's great niece Rose and her parents, Shrimpie and Susan, but there are obvious tensions between their hosts. Whilst the few Downton servants who accompanied their masters adjust to the etiquette of a different household, the family join in with traditional Highland activities such as deer stalking and there is a lavish ball for all to attend. Mary is keen to participate in everything, but Matthew is more protective than ever of his wife. Despite most of the household being away Carson is determined to keep the servants working hard. However, news of a fair arriving in Thirsk puts more pressure on him to allow them a little relaxation. Branson also remains at home, taking care of baby Sybil and is tempted to socialise with his old friends below stairs but is this the wisest course of action? More Downton Abbey: Season 3 Photos View All Photos (126) Tv Season Info The Great War is over and a long-awaited engagement is on, but all is not tranquil at Downton Abbey as wrenching social changes, romantic intrigues, and personal crises grip the majestic English country estate for a third thrilling season. Downton's impeccable butler, Carson (Jim Carter), breaks in a new footman, who happens to be the nephew of the scheming lady's maid O'Brien (Siobhan Finneran). Following Matthew and Mary's engagement, Robert sticks to his duty to maintain Downton more firmly than ever - even as other great houses are crippled psychologically and financially in the wake of World War I. Genre: Drama Network: ITV Premiere Date: Jan 6, 2013 Creator: Julian Fellowes Exec. Producers: Julian Fellowes, Gareth Neame, Rebecca Eaton Cast Hugh Bonneville as Lord Grantham Maggie Smith as Violet Crawley Elizabeth McGovern as Lady Grantham Dan Stevens (IV) as Matthew Crawley Penelope Wilton as Isobel Crawley Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary Laura Carmichael as Lady Edith Jim Carter as Carson Jessica Brown Findlay as Lady Sybil Brendan Coyle as John Bates Siobhan Finneran as O'Brien Rob James-Collier as Thomas Phyllis Logan as Mrs Hughes Sophie McShera as Daisy Joanne Froggatt as Anna Lesley Nicol as Mrs Patmore Allen Leech as Tom Branson Amy Nuttall as Ethel Parks David Robb as Dr Clarkson Lily James as Lady Rose MacClare Ed Speleers as Jimmy Kent Robert Bathurst as Sir Anthony Strallan Shirley MacLaine as Martha Levinson Kevin Doyle as Joseph Molesley Show More Cast News & Interviews for Downton Abbey: Season 3 10 TV Shows You Should Binge-Watch This December View All Downton Abbey: Season 3 News Episodes 1 Episode One The third season of "Downton Abbey" commences with the family and staff preparing for Mary and Matthew's wedding; and Cora's mother (Shirley MacLaine) arriving from the U.S. Robert, meanwhile, receives bad news about an investment; and O'Brien arranges for her nephew to become the new footman. More 2 Episode Two Mary and Violet set out to persuade Martha to save Downton; O'Brien and Thomas are at odds; Mrs. Hughes has a health scare that she shares with Mrs. Patmore; Isobel discovers that Ethel has turned to prostitution. More 3 Episode Three The future of Downton Abbey rests on a letter written by Lavinia's late father to Matthew. In other events, Edith prepares for her wedding to Sir Anthony; Mrs. Hughes receives news from Dr. Clarkson; Bates has trouble with his cellmate; and Thomas feeds false information about O'Brien to Molesley. More 4 Episode Four Tom and the pregnant Sybil arrive at Downton after an incident in Ireland has left Tom a wanted man; Edith has a letter in support of women's suffrage published in a newspaper. More 5 Episode Five Edith is asked to pen a newspaper column; Isobel offers Ethel a position in her household; Matthew questions the management of the estate; Sybil goes into labor while Dr. Clarkson and an esteemed obstetrician Robert hired disagree about the delivery. More 6 Episode Six Cora and Robert stop speaking to each other; Branson decides to name his daughter Sybil and wishes to have her baptized as a Catholic, which doesn't go over well with Robert; Mrs. Patmore lends a hand to Ethel when the Crawley women are invited to Isobel's for lunch. More 7 Episode Seven Bates is freed from prison; Thomas makes a play for Jimmy; Branson's brother visits; Violet supports Edith's desire to become a journalist; Matthew discusses the mismanagement of the estate with Robert. More 8 Episode Eight Robert is keen on putting together a viable team for the annual cricket match against the town. In other events, Violet's great-niece Rose arrives for a stay; Carson wants to fire Thomas. More 9 A Journey To The Highlands The Crawley Family take a trip to Duneagle Castle in Scotland to visit Violet's great niece Rose and her parents, Shrimpie and Susan, but there are obvious tensions between their hosts. Whilst the few Downton servants who accompanied their masters adjust to the etiquette of a different household, the family join in with traditional Highland activities such as deer stalking and there is a lavish ball for all to attend. Mary is keen to participate in everything, but Matthew is more protective than ever of his wife. Despite most of the household being away Carson is determined to keep the servants working hard. However, news of a fair arriving in Thirsk puts more pressure on him to allow them a little relaxation. Branson also remains at home, taking care of baby Sybil and is tempted to socialise with his old friends below stairs but is this the wisest course of action? More Critic Reviews for Downton Abbey Season 3 All Critics (37) | Top Critics (23) | Fresh (30) | Rotten (7) In the gentle, genteel hands of creator Julian Fellowes, the British smash remains delicious status-porn for restive commoners eager to lose themselves in the warm embrace of empire. Sep 16, 2013 | Full Review… Andy Greenwald Grantland Top Critic Still superior entertainment on a grand scale. Jan 6, 2013 | Rating: A- | Full Review… Ed Bark Uncle Barky Top Critic In its own elegant way, Downton Abbey offers solid storytelling woven around compelling love stories, upstairs and downstairs. Jan 6, 2013 | Full Review… Julie Hinds Detroit Free Press Top Critic Were we in fact set up to fall in love with Downton Abbey? It hardly matters, because at this point, we'd follow the Crawleys over a cliff. Jan 6, 2013 | Full Review… David Hiltbrand Philadelphia Inquirer Top Critic This is put-your-feet-up, pour-a-brandy television, a tasty import that's good company for a culture undergoing its own sometimes dizzying shifts. Jan 6, 2013 | Full Review… Joanne Ostrow Denver Post Top Critic It is by turns high-minded and lowbrow, hilarious and heartbreaking, and filled with heartfelt performances by actors who are clearly enjoying not only digging into their characters but playing off of one another. Jan 6, 2013 | Full Review… Sarah Rodman Boston Globe Top Critic Series creator and scribe Julian Fellowes writes Americans as if he's heard of them but never actually dared to have a conversation with one. Jan 6, 2013 | Rating: B- | Full Review… Mark A. Perigard Boston Herald Downton Abbey is like British catnip, a dazzling entertainment where saucy always trumps stuffy. It's popcorn TV with a champagne aftertaste. Jan 6, 2013 | Full Review… Matt Roush TV Guide Those who accept it for what it is - a funny, manipulative soap that relies on historical upheaval to frame its scarce plots - should be happy to hear that Downton's new season is better than its last. Jan 6, 2013 | Full Review… Sara Smith Kansas City Star It appears Fellowes returns to his strength as a storyteller. Jan 6, 2013 | Full Review… Blair Howell Deseret News (Salt Lake City) View All Critic Reviews (37) Audience Reviews for Downton Abbey: Season 3 There are no featured audience reviews yet. Click the link below to see what others say about Downton Abbey: Season 3! View All News & Features 150 Erotic Movies Ranked worst to best! 2019's Most Anticipated 63 movies coming up this year 200 Essential Movies Chosen by RT staff! 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