The much-anticipated third and final Downton Abbey film, 'A Grand Finale', hit cinemas on Friday, and fans have praised Julian Fellowes' swan song for its 'beautiful and bittersweet' ending. The film concludes a story that began in 2010, when the Crawley family was rocked by the sinking of the Titanic.
Set in the early 1930s, the Crawley family and their loyal staff face shifting social norms, mounting financial pressures, and scandal after Lady Mary's sudden divorce. The family also grapples with the loss of much of Cora's fortune, leading them to consider selling their London property and whether Robert should finally pass control of Downton to Mary.
With the help of playwright Noel Coward, the family rebuilds Mary's reputation. Downstairs, butler Mr Carson and cook Mrs Patmore retire, passing their roles to young couple Andrew and Daisy Parker. Robert eventually decides to hand Downton to Mary, moving with Cora into the cottage where his late mother, the Dowager Countess, once lived.
In the final moments, Mary stands in the grand hallway as the film flashes back to a Christmas scene where she dances and kisses her late husband Matthew, who died in a car crash at the end of series three. The flashback also includes her late sister Sybil, who died in childbirth. The film is dedicated to Dame Maggie Smith, who passed away in September, following her character's death in the previous film.
Fans took to X to express their emotions, with one writing: 'I have just seen @DowntonAbbey The Grand Finale. Absolutely joyful. Wrapped up beautifully... The last 10/15 mins made me full on cry.' Another said: 'The grand finale @DowntonAbbey is simply perfect... We will miss these characters that we have grown to love over the last 15 years.'
