- Radio Times
- Review by:
- Alison Graham
After the hardships of Call the Midwife on the other side, you deserve a sherry delivered on a silver platter by a liveried factotum as you prepare for a two-hour Downton Abbey.
It’s summer and the Crawleys decamp to the Highlands. It’s not a permanent move; the family are house guests of naughty Rose’s parents. But we’re not completely deprived of Downton itself – the servants left behind are much exercised by preparations for the country fair.
About this programme
Robert and his family make their annual summer visit to his Scottish cousins at Duneagle Castle, leaving most of their servants at home. Edith discovers newspaper editor Michael Gregson is also on holiday in the area and may not be there just for the sketching and fishing, while personal servant O'Brien finds a kindred spirit below stairs in the form of her opposite number. Meanwhile, at Downton, Carson faces the task of keeping the staff focused on their work polishing the silverware and cleaning, but with the Granthams hundreds of miles away, minds begin to wander to other things, including the forthcoming Thirsk Country Fair.
Cast and crew
Cast
- Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham
- Maggie Smith
- Robert, Earl of Grantham
- Hugh Bonneville
- Lady Edith Crawley
- Laura Carmichael
- Mr Carson
- Jim Carter
- John Bates
- Brendan Coyle
- Lady Mary Crawley
- Michelle Dockery
- Molesley
- Kevin Doyle
- O'Brien
- Siobhan Finneran
- Anna
- Joanne Froggatt
- Thomas
- Rob James-Collier
- Tom Branson
- Allen Leech
- Mrs Hughes
- Phyllis Logan
- Cora, Countess of Grantham
- Elizabeth McGovern
- Daisy
- Sophie McShera
- Alfred
- Matt Milne
- Mrs Patmore
- Lesley Nicol
- Jimmy
- Ed Speleers
- Matthew Crawley
- Dan Stevens
- Isobel Crawley
- Penelope Wilton
- Nield
- Kenneth Bryans
- Edna
- MyAnna Buring
- Mr McCree
- Ron Donachie
- Gregson
- Charles Edwards
- Shrimpie Flintshire
- Peter Egan
- Jos Tufton
- John Henshaw
- Lady Rose MacClare
- Lily James
- Wilkins
- Simone Lahbib
- Susan Flintshire
- Phoebe Nicholls
- Dr Clarkson
- David Robb
- Ivy
- Cara Theobald
- Tug-of-war judge
- Shaun Hennessy
- Stall keeper
- William Travis
- Thug
- Stuart Ward
Crew
- Director
- Andy Goddard
- Executive Producer
- Gareth Neame
- Executive Producer
- Julian Fellowes
- Executive Producer
- Rebecca Eaton
- Producer
- Liz Trubridge
- Writer
- Julian Fellowes
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