- Radio Times
- Review by:
- Alison Graham
Everyone: it’s going to be all right, nothing bad can happen now because Downton Abbey is back. We can all take refuge in a version of the past where everyone knew their place and was jolly well grateful for it, too.
As we return, Matthew Crawley is going through hell on the battlefields of the Great War (“When I think of my life in Downton it seems like another world”), while back home in Yorkshire the decent, honourable Earl of Grantham (Hugh Bonneville) wants to fight but can’t, even though he’s dressed for it as Lord Lieutenant. “I will be in uniform a lot of the time in future; the Lord Lieut is responsible for the army in the county while the war is on.” (As always, Julian Fellowes’ dialogue is packed with exposition).
Downton’s ladies are nursing broken hearts. Sybil sniffles at bad news and wonders, “Sometimes it feels that all the men I have danced with are dead.” Crikey, are you that bad a dancer, love? Adding a sliver of ice is the splendid Dowager (Maggie Smith), on fine form appraising a newcomer: “I suppose looks aren’t everything.”
About this programme
1/8. It is November 1916, and the family and servants are getting the house ready for a concert to raise funds to treat more casualties from the front. Bates returns from London with a proposal for Anna, while Isobel informs Robert and Cora that Matthew is engaged and wants to bring his fiancee to Downton. O'Brien plays a trick on new maid Ethel after taking an instant dislike to her. Costume drama, starring Maggie Smith, Hugh Bonneville and Elizabeth McGovern.
Cast and crew
Cast
- Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham
- Maggie Smith
- Robert, Earl of Grantham
- Hugh Bonneville
- Lady Sybil Crawley
- Jessica Brown Findlay
- Lady Edith Crawley
- Laura Carmichael
- Mr Carson
- Jim Carter
- John Bates
- Brendan Coyle
- Lady Mary Crawley
- Michelle Dockery
- O'Brien
- Siobhan Finneran
- Anna
- Joanne Froggatt
- William
- Thomas Howes
- Thomas
- Rob James-Collier
- Mrs Hughes
- Phyllis Logan
- Cora, Countess of Grantham
- Elizabeth McGovern
- Daisy
- Sophie McShera
- Mrs Patmore
- Lesley Nicol
- Ethel
- Amy Nuttall
- Matthew Crawley
- Dan Stevens
- Isobel Crawley
- Penelope Wilton
- Molesley
- Kevin Doyle
- Tom Branson
- Allen Leech
- Lavinia Swire
- Zoe Boyle
- Vera Bates
- Maria Doyle Kennedy
- Davis
- Stephen Ventura
- General
- Jeremy Clyde
- Dr Clarkson
- David Robb
- Sgt Stevens
- Peter McNeil O'Connor
- Medical officer
- Richard Hansell
- White feather girl
- Gwendolen Chatfield
- White feather girl
- Rosie Jones
- Stretcher bearer
- Danny Burns
Crew
- Director
- Ashley Pearce
- Executive Producer
- Gareth Neame
- Executive Producer
- Rebecca Eaton
- Executive Producer
- Julian Fellowes
- Producer
- Liz Trubridge
- Writer
- Julian Fellowes
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