Elsewhere, Mrs. Hughes has a health scare, Lady Edith develops an interest in journalism (and in a particular handsome journalist), Lord and Lady Grantham have more marital troubles after Sybil’s death, Anna fights for the release of Bates from prison, Thomas gets in a serious mess, O’Brien continues to scheme, and so much more addictive drama! Dancy plays the swoony Hollywood film director who comes to make a movie at Downton. While there, he becomes interested in Mary. Madame Montmirail (Nathalie Baye) Eventually, the title goes to Matthew Crawley, a distant cousin (and middle-class lawyer) who was not expecting to inherit anything. The first season follows Matthew (and his mother, Isobel) as they try to adjust to their new life while also dealing with the challenges an upper-class lifestyle demands. Lord Grantham’s lousy investment leads to possible bankruptcy for Downton (although when Matthew inherits a substantial sum of money, they can save the estate). Downton Abbeyseason 2 has nine episodes (eight regular episodes and one Christmas special). The series begins in 1916 during the Battle of the Somme and ends at the beginning of 1920. Season 2 Summary:

Lady Mary and Charles Blake save the pigs from thirst. Michael is still missing but Edith decides to keep the baby. Countess Violet is seriously ill. Bates is onto Mr Green. So, while there is no seventh season, the Downton Abbeyuniverse is far from over! Besides the TV show and the movies, you can deepen your love for everything Downton by reading official companion books, cookbooks, watching behind-the-scenes features, and even a spinoff prequel show on HBO Max: The Gilded Age. (Let’s all cross fingers for an appearance by a young Violet and Robert!) WILL THERE BE A THIRD DOWNTON ABBEY MOVIE? WHAT WE KNOW… Season two of Downton Abbeygoes global, covering WWI, the Russian Revolution, the Spanish influenza epidemic, social changes, and more. Downton Abbey becomes a convalescent home for wounded soldiers during it all, leading to numerous conflicts for everyone, both upstairs and downstairs. Neame states: “We can go on with these people as long as the audience wants to go on seeing them and as long as they enjoy them… And we can, you know, do that in all sorts of different ways. We’ve got to be wise to the future and think of those possibilities and any number of things could happen in the future.” RELATED: 100+ Best Period Dramas on HBO Max to Watch

Side guide

Downton Abbeytells the story of the Crawley family (an aristocratic family) and their servants living in early 20th century England. In other developments, Anna and Bates have a baby, Thomas gets the job as the head butler, Isobel Crawley and Lord Merton marry despite his conniving children trying to keep them apart, and Cora and Robert work past their marital problems. And even Daisy finds true love with Andrew. RELATED: ‘The Gilded Age’ HBO Review: A Superb and Luxurious New Romantic Period Drama

Season 1 of Downton Abbeyhas seven episodes. The story begins in April of 1912 and concludes in August 1914 with a big cliffhanger. Season 1 Summary:Lady Cora slips on a bar of soap. Gwen becomes a secretary. Edith sent a tell all letter to the Turkish Ambassador. Mary foils Edith’s marriage proposal. Matthew and Mary break up. World War I begins. Lady Sybil is trampled at a rowdy political rally. O’Brien and Thomas scheme. A Turkish scandal brews. Matthew and Mary share a kiss and a marriage proposal. Mrs Patmore has cataracts! Countess Violet is exceedingly witty. Mr. Molesley discovers a hidden talent for screenwriting and begins a career as a Hollywood screenwriter. Downton Abbeyseason 4 has nine episodes (including eight regular episodes and the Christmas special: “The London Season”). Season 4 takes place between February 1922 and the summer of 1923. Season 4 Summary:

The third season of Downton Abbeycovers the beginning of a new decade. As time continues to move forward, it inevitably leads to changes for many of the characters. Episode length varies from episode to episode. The episodes range between 47 and 93 minutes, with the specials airing on the longer side. The romance between Anna and Bates grows stronger. They choose to marry despite the false murder accusation against Bates. Daisy marries William before he dies. So much tragedy and drama! There’s drama down at the Drewes. Lady Rose helps the Russians. Mary and Tony wake up together. Mrs Patmore is crushed by a letter. Lady Cora has an admirer. The police visit Downton again. Meanwhile, the Dowager and Isobel love to debate, while Sybil becomes interested in politics and feminism (even becoming friends with socialist chauffeur Branson). Mary is cruel to Edith, and Cora trusts her devious maid, who is not to be trusted.Gwen Dawson/Harding (Rose Leslie): She worked as a housemaid at Downton Abbey, but with the help of Sybil, she was able to get a job as a secretary. She now has a good marriage and works in government. Sir Richard Carlisle: The former fiancé of Lady Mary and a merciless businessman in the newspaper world. Sarah O’Brien(Siobhan Finneran): A former troublemaking lady’s maid for Cora. She used to be close with Thomas, but their friendship deteriorated. She quit – becoming the lady’s maid for a Marchioness.

A telegram arrives and we learn the Titanic is sunk. A Duke arrives to court Lady Mary, but he’s more of a man’s man. Mister Bates arrives to work as Lord Grantham’s butler, Anna is smitten. Ethel Parks: A former housemaid. During the War, she had an illegitimate son and gave him to his grandparents. A mysterious typewriter appears. Edith flirts with Matthew. Mary beds a handsome Turk with deadly consequence. Bates tortures himself with a medieval leg brace.

Socialist chauffeur Tom Branson arrives to Downton. Sybil wears pants. Mrs Hughes has a past. Countess Violet dislikes modern swivel chairs. Longing glances are exchanged between Bates and Anna.