For legions of fans left adrift since the grand finale of the Downton Abbey universe, a sumptuous solution has emerged. With the final film, Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, having landed in September 2025, aficionados of high society drama have been searching for their next television obsession. The answer lies in a lavish ITV series from 2020: Belgravia, the sibling drama crafted by the same mastermind, Julian Fellowes.
A Tale of Two Eras: From Brussels Ball to London's Elite
Based on Fellowes' own 2016 novel, Belgravia transports viewers to the heart of 19th-century London's wealthiest district. The story begins explosively at the real-life Duchess of Richmond's ball in Brussels in 1815. There, a fateful connection is made between Sophia Trenchard, daughter of the newly wealthy James and Anne Trenchard, and Edmund Bellasis, heir to a powerful aristocratic family.
The repercussions of that night ripple across decades, coming to a head when both families find themselves neighbours in the newly developed, ultra-fashionable area of Belgravia. The series expertly unpacks the intense friction between the established aristocracy and the burgeoning nouveau riche, a theme beloved by period drama enthusiasts.
Familiar Craft, A New Mystery
While sharing DNA with Downton, Belgravia boasts its own distinct identity. It inherited much of the behind-the-scenes talent, including executive producers Gareth Neame and Nigel Marchant. The cast is led by Philip Glenister and Tamsin Greig as the socially ambitious Trenchards, with Harriet Walter as the formidable Countess of Brockenhurst and the late Tom Wilkinson as her husband.
Visually, it is a feast for the eyes, with critics and fans alike praising its opulent sets and meticulously designed Victorian costumes. The series earned a 75% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, described as "delightfully soapy." However, producer Gareth Neame stresses it is "very, very different" from Downton, being a self-contained, mystery-led story with a definitive arc, rather than an open-ended saga.
Why It's the Perfect Successor
For viewers craving that specific blend of historical detail, simmering scandal, and class conflict, Belgravia hits the mark. It delivers the core ingredients that made Downton Abbey a global phenomenon: intricate social manoeuvring, family secrets, and a deep dive into the hierarchies of British society. As one satisfied viewer noted, it offers the perfect recipe for a Sunday night: "Tea and scandal."
So, for those mourning the end of the Crawley family's journey, the doors to the drawing rooms of Belgravia are open, offering a new, equally captivating world of privilege, power, and exquisite period drama to explore.
