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Downton Abbey
Alt=series titles and a view of Downton Abbey
GenrePeriod drama
Created byJulian Fellowes
Written by
Directed by
Starring
Opening theme"Did I Make the Most of Loving You?"
ComposerJohn Lunn
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series3
No. of episodes23 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
Producers
  • Liz Trubridge (series producer)
  • Nigel Marchant
CinematographyDavid Katznelson (series 1)
Gavin Struthers (series 2)
Editors
  • John Wilson
  • Steve Singleton
  • Mike Jones
Running time48–68 minutes per episode
(excluding commercial breaks)
Production company
Original release
NetworkITV
Release26 September 2010 (2010-09-26) –
present

Downton Abbey is a British-American period drama television series co-created by Julian Fellowes and Gareth Neame and co-produced by Carnival Films and Masterpiece.[1] It began airing on ITV in the United Kingdom on 26 September 2010 and on PBS in the United States on 9 January 2011 as part of the Masterpiece Classic anthology.

The series, set in the fictional Yorkshire country estate of Downton Abbey, depicts the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family and their servants after the post-Edwardian era — with the great events in history having an effect on their lives and the British social hierarchy in general. Such events depicted throughout the whole series include the news of the sinking of the RMS Titanic in the first series; the outbreaks of World War I, the Spanish influenza pandemic, and the Marconi scandal in the second series; and the Interwar period and the formation of the Irish Republic in the third series.

Downton Abbey has received critical acclaim from television critics and has won numerous accolades in its entire broadcast — including a Golden Globe Award for Best Miniseries or Television Film and a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Miniseries. It was recognised by Guinness World Records as the most critically acclaimed English-language television series of 2011 and only international television series to receive the most number of nominations on the history of the Primetime Emmy Awards — with twenty-seven in total.[2] It was also the most watched television series on both ITV and PBS, and subsequently it became the most successful British costume drama series since the 1981 television serial of Brideshead Revisited.[3]

Overview

The series is set in the fictional Downton Abbey, the Yorkshire country house of the Earl and Countess of Grantham, and follows the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family and their servants during the reign of King George V. The first series spans the two years before the Great War beginning with news of the sinking of the Titanic in 1912, which sets the story in motion. The second series covers the years 1916 to 1919, and the 2011 Christmas Special covers the 1919 Christmas period, ending in early 1920.

Locations

Highclere Castle, used for interior and exterior filming of Downton Abbey

Highclere Castle in Hampshire was used for exterior shots of Downton Abbey and most of the interior filming.[4] The servants' quarters and working areas and several of the "upstairs" bedrooms were constructed and filmed at Ealing Studios.[5]

The village of Bampton in Oxfordshire was used for filming outdoor scenes, most notably St. Mary's Church and the library, which serves as the entrance to the cottage hospital.[6] The First World War trench warfare scenes in France were filmed in rural Suffolk at a site near the village of Akenham specially designed for period war scenes.[7][8] Haxby Park, the estate Sir Richard Carlisle intends to buy in Series 2, is part of Waddesdon Manor in Buckinghamshire.[9]

The fictional location of Downton Abbey is in the historical County of Yorkshire. The Yorkshire towns and cities of Easingwold, Kirkby, Kirkbymoorside, Leeds, Malton, Middlesbrough, Ripon, Richmond, Thirsk and York have been mentioned by characters in the series.

In Series 3, a scene at the edge of the village shows a road sign that gives the location as 9 miles from Ripon and 6 miles from Thirsk, which would place the fictional location as somewhere close to the real-life village of Baldersby on the A61.

Cast

Main article: List of Downton Abbey characters

Main cast

Crawley family

Actor Character Relation Series
Hugh Bonneville The Rt. Hon. Robert, Earl of Grantham The Earl and the head of the Crawley family 1–
Elizabeth McGovern The Rt. Hon. Cora, Countess of Grantham The American wife of the Earl 1–
Michelle Dockery Lady Mary Josephine Crawley Eldest daughter of the Earl; later, wife of Matthew Crawley 1–
Laura Carmichael Lady Edith Crawley Middle daughter of the Earl 1–
Jessica Brown Findlay Lady Sybil Crawley Youngest daughter of the Earl 1–3
Maggie Smith The Rt. Hon. Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham Dowager Countess and the Earl's mother 1–
Dan Stevens Mr Matthew Crawley Third cousin, once removed, of the Earl; heir presumptive to the title and estate 1–
Penelope Wilton Mrs Isobel Crawley Matthew's mother 1–
Allen Leech Mr Tom Branson Originally a chauffeur 3–
Recurring 1 & 2

Staff

Actor Character Position Series
Jim Carter Charles "Charlie" Carson Butler 1–
Phyllis Logan Elsie Hughes Housekeeper 1–
Brendan Coyle John Bates Lord Grantham's valet 1–
Siobhan Finneran Sarah O'Brien Lady Grantham's lady's maid 1–
Rob James-Collier Thomas Barrow Footman, later Lord Grantham's valet 1–
Joanne Froggatt Anna Smith, later Anna Bates Head housemaid. later lady's maid 1–
Lesley Nicol Beryl Patmore Cook 1–
Sophie McShera Daisy Robinson, later Daisy Mason Kitchen maid, later Assistant Cook 1–
Thomas Howes William Mason Footman 1–2
Rose Leslie Gwen Dawson Housemaid 1
Amy Nuttall Ethel Parks Housemaid, later Isobel Crawley's Housekeeper 2–
Kevin Doyle Joseph Molesley Matthew Crawley's butler and valet 3–
Recurring 1 & 2
Matt Milne Alfred Nugent Footman 3–
Edward Speleers Jimmy Kent Footman 3–
Cara Theobold Ivy Stuart Kitchen maid 3–

Recurring and guest cast

Actor Character Position Series
Samantha Bond Lady Rosamund Painswick Sister of the Earl 1-
Jonathan Coy Mr. George Murray Lord Grantham's lawyer 1, CS, 3
David Robb Dr. Richard Clarkson Medical doctor 1–
Fergus O'Donnell John Drake Farmer on the Grantham estate 1–2
Christine Lohr Mrs Bird Matthew Crawley's cook 1-3
Lionel Guyett Mr Taylor Chauffeur 1
Andrew Westfield Mr Lynch Groom 1
Cal Macaninch Andrew Lang Lord Grantham's valet 2
Sharon Small Marigold Shore Lady Rosamund's maid CS
Clare Calbraith Jane Moorsum Housemaid 2
Cathy Sara Mrs Drake Wife of Mr Drake 1–2
Brendan Patricks The Hon. Evelyn Napier Suitor of Lady Mary 1
Theo James Kemal Pamuk Ottoman Empire (Turkish) Embassy attaché 1
Charlie Cox Duke of Crowborough Suitor of Lady Mary 1
Nicky Henson Mr Charles Grigg Former colleague of Carson's 1
Bill Fellows Joe Burns Mrs. Hughes's former suitor 1
Robert Bathurst Sir Anthony Strallan Family friend and suitor of Lady Edith 1, CS, 3-
Zoe Boyle Miss Lavinia Catherine Swire fiancée of Matthew Crawley 2
Iain Glen Sir Richard Carlisle Publisher and Lady Mary's former suitor 2–CS
Maria Doyle Kennedy Vera Bates Wife of Mr Bates 2
Lachlan Nieboer Lieutenant Edward Courtenay Wounded officer 2
Daniel Pirrie Major Charles Bryant Wounded officer 2
Trevor White Major Patrick Gordon Wounded officer 2
Paul Copley Mr Mason William's father 2,CS-3
Kevin McNally Mr Bryant Major Bryant's father 2-3
Christine Mackie Mrs Bryant Major Bryant's mother 2-3
Nigel Havers Lord Hepworth Suitor of Lady Rosamund CS
Shirley MacLaine Martha Levinson American mother of the Countess of Grantham 3
Tim Piggott-Smith Sir Philip Tapsell London Obstetrician & gynaecologist 3
Ruairi Conaghan Kieran Branson Tom's brother 3

CS = 2011 Christmas Special

Episodes

Main article: List of Downton Abbey episodes

Series one

The first series was broadcast in the UK on 26 September 2010, and explored the lives of the Crawley family and their servants from the day after the sinking of the RMS Titanic in April 1912 to the outbreak of the First World War on 4 August 1914. Much of the focus is on the need for a male heir to the Grantham estate, and the troubled love life of Lady Mary as she attempts to find a suitable husband. The device that sets the drama in motion is the entail that accompanies the (fictional) Earldom of Grantham, which endows both title and estate exclusively to heirs male. This is complicated as the estate had been in near financial ruin, and was only saved when the present Earl, then the heir apparent, married an American heiress. On her marriage, her considerable fortune was contractually incorporated into the comital entail in perpetuity. The earl and countess, having had three daughters and no son, arranged for their eldest daughter to marry her cousin, son to the heir presumptive. The demise of both heirs presumptive in the sinking of the Titanic destroys the family plans and brings forth a distant male cousin, a young solicitor from Manchester. He appears to be heir to the wealth of the countess, who will therefore not be able to bequeath her fortune to her daughters.

Series two

The second series premiered in the UK on 18 September 2011, and in the U.S. on 8 January 2012.[10] There was a Christmas special,[11][12] broadcast on Christmas Day 2011 in the UK.

The series comprises eight episodes, running from the Battle of the Somme in 1916 to the 1918 flu pandemic. Matthew Crawley, Thomas Barrow, and William Mason went to fight in the war; Tom Branson, an Irishman, will not fight for the British. Lady Sybil Crawley defies her aristocratic position and joins the Voluntary Aid Detachment.[13][14] Filming began in March 2011.[15]

Michelle Dockery, Dame Maggie Smith, Brendan Coyle, Rob James-Collier, Dan Stevens,[3] Elizabeth McGovern, Hugh Bonneville,[16] Jessica Brown Findlay, Laura Carmichael, Joanne Froggatt, Phyllis Logan[17] and Allen Leech[18] all returned and Cal Macaninch, Iain Glen, Amy Nuttall, Zoe Boyle and Maria Doyle Kennedy joined the cast[19] as the new valet Lang, Sir Richard Carlisle, the new Housemaid Ethel, Miss Lavinia Swire and John Bates' wife Vera respectively.[20]

Christmas Special 2011

Most of the regular cast, with Nigel Havers as Lord Hepworth and Sharon Small as Lady Rosamund's new maid, Marigold Shore, appeared in a Christmas special.[21] This single episode visited Downton between Christmas 1919 and early 1920.

Series three

At the preview of the second series at Highclere Castle[14] on 29 July 2011, it was announced that Fellowes was working on a third series, set during the Roaring Twenties. The series will open in 1920 and cover eighteen months.[14][22] ITV confirmed the commissioning of a third series on 3 November 2011. The series entered production in early 2012, began filming in February 2012,[23] Downton Abbey returned to ITV1 on Sunday, 16 September and it will air in the United States beginning 6 January 2013.[24] Fellowes has stated that it will include a storyline involving Catholicism.[25]

Academy Award-winning American actress Shirley MacLaine joins the cast as Martha Levinson, Cora's mother.[26] She will appear in the first two episodes of the series.[27] Matt Milne has been cast as Alfred Nugent, O'Brien's nephew and the new footman,[28] as well as Cara Theobald as the new kitchen maid Ivy Stuart and Lucille Sharp as Miss Reed, Martha Levinson's lady's maid,[29][30] and Ed Speleers has been confirmed to play a new footman called Jimmy Kent.[31]

In April 2012, Downton Abbey's executive producer, Rebecca Eaton, stated in an interview that during series three a couple will get married, a baby will be born, a well-known character will die and there are good scenes between Shirley MacLaine and Maggie Smith.[32]

Prequel

In The Telegraph September 2012 issue, Julian Fellowes said he's working on a spin-off prequel of Downton Abbey which revolves around Lord Grantham and Cora's courtship. Initially planned as a book, it was then picked up by ITV.[33]

Reception

Series one

The first episode of Downton Abbey had a consolidated British audience of 9.2 million viewers, a 32% audience share—making it the most successful new drama on any channel since Whitechapel was launched on ITV1 in February 2009. The total audience for the first episode, including repeats and ITV Player viewings, exceeded 11.6 million viewers. This was beaten by the next episode, with a total audience of 11.8 million viewers—including repeats and ITV Player views.

Downton Abbey broke the record for a single episode viewing on ITV Player, the ITV online catch-up service.[13]

At Metacritic, which assigns a normalised rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the first series received an average score of 92, based on 14 reviews, which indicates "universal acclaim".[34] This result earned the show a Guinness World Record in 2011 for "Highest critical review ratings for a TV show", making Downton Abbey the most critically well-received TV show in the world.[35]

Sam Wollaston of The Guardian said,

It's beautifully made—handsome, artfully crafted and acted. Smith, who plays the formidable and disdainful Dowager Countess, has a lovely way of delivering words, always spaced to perfection. This is going to be a treat if you like a lavish period drama of a Sunday evening.[36]

Viewers were critical of the number of advertisement breaks during the first episode (five in a 90-minute episode, as well as one before and one after), claiming it ruined the continuity. ITV responded by saying that the number of breaks complied with Ofcom regulations and that the advertising was necessary to cover the high costs of production.[37]

Series two

The second series premièred in Britain on 18 September 2011 in the same 9 pm slot as the first series, with the first episode attracting an average audience of 9 million viewers on ITV1, a 34.6% share.[38] The second episode attracted a similar following with an average of 9.3 million viewers.[39] In January 2012, the PBS premiere attracted 4.2 million viewers, over double the network's average primetime audience of 2 million. The premiere audience was 18% higher than the Season 1 premiere.[40]

The second season of Downton Abbey gave PBS its highest ratings since 2009. The second season averaged 5.4 million viewers, excluding station replays, DVR viewings and online streaming. The 5.4 million average improved on PBS first season numbers by 25%. Additionally, episodes of season two have been viewed 4.8 million times on PBS' digital portal, which bests season one's online viewing numbers by more than 400 percent. Overall, "Downton" content has racked up more than 9 million streams across all platforms, with 1.5 million unique visitors, since season 2's 8 January premiere.[41]

Awards and nominations

Downton Abbey was placed tenth on The Guardian's list of the Top 10 TV programmes of 2010, and came second in the Top 10 TV dramas of 2010 list, beaten only by Doctor Who. It came first in the Top 10 new drama category.[42]

It won two Broadcasting Press Guild awards in 2011. It won Best Drama Series and Julian Fellowes won for writing.[43] It has also won 6 Primetime Emmy Awards.[44]

In September 2011, the show entered the Guinness Book of World Records as the 'most critically acclaimed television show' for the year, becoming the first British show to win the award. It beat American shows Mad Men and Modern Family to the title.[45]

In 2012, Downton Abbey nominated and won the Best Drama Award at the National Television Awards.[46][47] Downton Abbey also won Best TV Show Award at the 2012 Elle Style Awards.[48]

Also in 2012, Downton Abbey was parodied on Saturday Night Live where they imagined how the show might be advertised on the male-oriented Spike TV network, calling it "fancy Entourage."[49]

In July 2012, Downton Abbey was nominated for 16 Primetime Emmy Awards, which, in combination with its 11 Emmy nomination in 2011, makes Downton the most nominated non-US show in Emmy history.[2]

On 15 September, at the Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards, John Lunn received the Emmy for Outstanding Music Composition for Series (Original Dramatic Score), while Anne ‘Nosh’ Oldham and Christine Greenwood won the Outstanding Hairstyling for A Single Camera Series Award.[50]

On 23 September, at the Primetime Emmy Awards, Maggie Smith took home the Outstanding Supporting Actress Award in a Drama Series.[50]

Series Award Category Nominee Result
Series 1 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Miniseries or Movie Downton Abbey Won
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie Elizabeth McGovern Nominated
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie Maggie Smith Won
Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special Brian Percival Won
Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special Julian Fellowes Won
Creative Arts Emmy Awards Outstanding Casting for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special Jill Trevellick Nominated
Outstanding Cinematography for a Miniseries or Movie David Katznelson Won
Outstanding Art Direction for a Miniseries or Movie Donal Woods
Charmian Adams
Gina Cromwell		 Nominated
Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Miniseries or a Movie John Wilson Nominated
Outstanding Costumes for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special Susannah Buxton
Caroline McCal		 Won
Outstanding Sound Editing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special Adam Armitage
Alex Sawyer		 Nominated
Golden Globe Awards Best Miniseries - Television or Film Downton Abbey Won
Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film Hugh Bonneville Nominated
Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film Elizabeth McGovern Nominated
Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film Maggie Smith Nominated
BAFTA Awards 2010 Best Drama Series Downton Abbey Nominated
Supporting Actor Brendan Coyle Nominated
BAFTA Craft 2010 Best Fiction Director Brian Percival Won
Sound Award Nigel Heath
Alex Sawyer
Adam Armitage
Mark Holding		 Won
Tape & Film Editing Award John Wilson Nominated
Photography Award David Katznelson Nominated
Production Design Award Donal Woods Nominated
TCA Awards Outstanding Achievement in Movies, Mini-Series and Specials Downton Abbey Nominated
Monte-Carlo Television Festival Outstanding Actor Hugh Bonneville Nominated
Outstanding Actress Elizabeth McGovern Nominated
Outstanding Actress Michelle Dockery Nominated
Outstanding Actress Maggie Smith Nominated
Best International Producer Gareth Neame Nominated
Best European Producer Gareth Neame Nominated
Producers Guild of America Awards Long-form Television Downton Abbey Won
Broadcasting Press Guild Best Drama Series Downton Abbey Won
Best Actor Hugh Bonneville Nominated
Best Actress Elizabeth McGovern Nominated
Best Actress Maggie Smith Nominated
Best Writer Julian Fellowes Won
Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries Maggie Smith Nominated
Satellite Awards Best Miniseries or Television Film Downton Abbey Nominated
Best Actor in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television Hugh Bonneville Nominated
Best Actress in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television Elizabeth McGovern Nominated
Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television Maggie Smith Nominated
Banff Fiction Rockies Awards Best Mini-Series Downton Abbey Won
RTS Television Awards Best Drama Series Downton Abbey Nominated
RTS Craft & Design Awards Photography Award David Katznelson Won
Original Title Music Award John Lunn Nominated
TRIC Awards HD Drama Programme of the Year Downton Abbey Won
TV Choice Awards Best New Drama Downton Abbey Nominated
American Cinema Editors Best Edited Miniseries John Wilson Nominated
American Society of Cinematographers One-Hour Episodic/Pilot Television David Katznelson (For the pilot) Nominated
Biarritz International Festival of Audiovisual Programming 2011 TV Series or Serial Downton Abbey Nominated
Series 2 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Drama Series Downton Abbey Nominated
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series Hugh Bonneville Nominated
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series Michelle Dockery Nominated
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Jim Carter Nominated
Brendan Coyle Nominated
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Joanne Froggatt Nominated
Maggie Smith Won
Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series Julian Fellowes for
Episode Seven		 Nominated
Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series Brian Percival for
Episode Seven		 Nominated
Outstanding Art Direction for Single Camera Series Downton Abbey Nominated
Outstanding Costumes for Series Downton Abbey Nominated
Outstanding Music Composition for Series Downton Abbey Won
Outstanding Hairstyling for Single Camera Series Downton Abbey Won
Outstanding Casting for Drama Downton Abbey Nominated
Outstanding Single Camera Picture Editing for Drama Downton Abbey Nominated
Outstanding Sound Mixing for Comedy or Drama Downton Abbey Nominated
BAFTA Awards 2011 Best Supporting Actress Maggie Smith Nominated
YouTube Audience Award Downton Abbey Nominated
BAFTA Craft 2011 Production Design Donal Woods & Judy Farr Nominated
Original Music John Lunn Nominated
Costume Design Susannah Buxton Nominated
TCA Awards Programme of the Year Downton Abbey Nominated
Outstanding Achievement in Movies, Miniseries and Specials Downton Abbey Won
Monte Carlo Awards Best Drama TV Series Downton Abbey Nominated
Outstanding Actor Dan Stevens Nominated
Brendan Coyle Nominated
Outstanding Actress Michelle Dockery Nominated
Joanne Froggatt Nominated
Outstanding International Producer Gareth Neame Nominated
Outstanding European Producer Gareth Neame Nominated
National Television Awards Best Drama Downton Abbey Won
Televisual Bulldog Awards Best Drama Downton Abbey Won
Virgin Media TV Awards Best Drama Downton Abbey Won
Basauri Award Basauri Award for Excellence in the Performing Arts Brendan Coyle Won
Elle Style Awards Best TV Show Downton Abbey Won
TRIC Awards Drama Programme of the Year Downton Abbey Won
Irish Film and Television Academy Awards Best Supporting Actor in TV Drama Brendan Coyle Nominated

International broadcasts

Over 100 countries have acquired the rights to broadcast Downton Abbey.[51]

  • In the United States, Downton Abbey was broadcast in January 2011 on PBS, as part of the 40th season of Masterpiece.[52] The programme was broadcast in four 90-minute episodes, requiring PBS to alter the beginning and endpoints of each episode with minimal editing.[53]
  • In the Republic of Ireland, independent television channel TV3 aired the first series in January and February 2011.[54] However, ITV (UTV region) is commonly available throughout both the Republic and Northern Ireland.
  • In Australia, the first series was broadcast on the Seven Network from 29 May 2011.[55] The second series was broadcast on the Seven Network from 20 May 2012.[56]
  • In Spain, Antena 3 aired the first series in March and April 2011 and the second one in December 2011 and January 2012.[57]
  • In Sweden, the first series was aired by SVT on Saturdays at 21.30 from 12 February 2011.[58] Viewing figures were in excess of a million for each episode.[59] SVT began airing the second series on 29 October 2011.
  • In Norway, the first series was aired by NRK on Sundays at 21.15 as double episodes from 2 January 2011. The first episode of series two was aired on Sunday, 30 October 2011 at 21.25, with double episodes the following three Sundays. The final episode was broadcast on 27 November 2011. The Christmas Special was broadcast on 26 December 2011, just one day after the UK broadcast.[60]
  • In Denmark, the first series was aired by Danmarks Radio on Sundays at 20.00 from 12 March 2011.[61]
  • In Belgium, Eén, the Flemish public broadcaster, began airing the first series on 26 March 2011[62] and the second series on 1 May 2012
  • In Poland, TVN Style began airing the first series on 16 April 2011.[63]
  • In New Zealand, Prime (New Zealand) began airing the first series on 10 May 2011,[63] the second series on 18 October 2011 and the third series on 18 October 2012.
  • In the Netherlands, Nederland 2 began airing the first series on 25 June 2011[64] and the second series on 5 November 2011.[65]
  • In Israel, Channel 1 began airing the first series on 1 July 2011.[66]
  • In Germany, Sky aired a four part version on 20 and 27 July 2011.[67]
  • In Finland, the first series began airing on YLE TV1 on 30 August 2011[68] , the second series on 3 January 2012 and the third series on 6 November 2012.
  • In Argentina, Film&Arts began airing the first series on 1 September 2011.[69]
  • In Canada, VisionTV begin airing the programme on 7 September 2011.[70]
  • In Italy, Rete 4 begin airing a four part version of the first series on 11 December 2011.[71]
  • In Taiwan, PTS (Public Television Service) started airing the first series on 19 December 2011, with one episode per night.[72]
  • In The Czech Republic, ČT1 began airing it under the name "Panství Downton" on 4 January 2012.[73]
  • In Hong Kong, TVB Pearl began airing the first series on 5 January 2012, with one episode every week.[74]
  • In Croatia, Croatian Radiotelevision began airing the first series on 5 February 2012 and continued with the second series after the conclusion of the first.
  • In South Africa, BBC Entertainment via DSTV began airing the first series on 19 February 2012.
  • In Portugal, FOX Life began airing the first series on 10 October 2011, on basic cable.[75] [[Sociedade Independente de Comunicação|SIC] began airing the first series on 25 February 2012, on open broadcast.[76]
  • In Chile, TVN began airing the first series on 14 April 2012.[77]
  • In Brazil, GNT began airing the first series on 19 May 2012.[78]
  • In Switzerland, SF1 began airing the 4 part version of the first series on 6 July 2012.
  • In France, TMC [79] began airing the first series dubbed in French on 10 December 2011, and the second series also dubbed in French on 9 September 2012 after a repeat of the first series in August.
  • In Greece, NET began airing the first series on 15 October 2012.

STV opt out

STV, which broadcasts ITV productions in Scotland, opted out of showing Downton Abbey, choosing instead to screen a brand-new six-part series of Taggart, following a long practice of opting out of Britain-wide ITV programmes.[80] This led to backlash from Scottish viewers, who were frustrated at not being able to watch the programme. Many viewers with satellite or cable television tuned into other regional stations of the ITV network, for example ITV1 London, with viewing figures showing this is also commonplace for other ITV programmes.[81] The series received its first Britain-wide broadcast when it was shown on ITV3 in February 2011.

STV announced in July 2011 that it will show the first and second series of Downton Abbey, as part of its autumn schedule.[82]

Phyllis Logan, who plays Mrs Hughes, said: "I'm delighted that STV is showing Downton Abbey in Scotland – it means my family and friends in Scotland will be able to watch it at the same time as the rest of the UK. This might push our viewing figures up even higher which can only be good." Iain Glen, who plays Sir Richard Carlisle, added: "I am not party to the original decision as to why STV didn't acquire the original series from ITV, but I am delighted the decision has been reversed and the people of Scotland will be able to see what all the fuss has been about."[83]

Releases

Blu-ray and DVD

Blu-ray/DVD Title # of Disc(s) Year # of Episodes Release date (UK Only)
Complete Series One 2 (Blu-ray)
3 (DVD) 		2010 7 8 November 2010
Complete Series Two[84] 3 (Blu-ray)
4 (DVD) 		2011 8 7 November 2011
Complete Series One and Two[85] 5 (Blu-ray)
7 (DVD) 		2010–11 15 7 November 2011
Christmas at Downton Abbey[86] 1 2011 1 26 December 2011
Complete Series Three 3 (Blu-ray)
4 (DVD) 		2012 8 5 November 2012[87]

Internationally, the U.S. DVD release date was 11 January 2011, in New Zealand it was released on 22 June 2011 and in Australia on 4 August 2011. The release in Australia and New Zealand has an exclusive bonus disc in both the DVD and Blu-ray versions. It contains extras such as cast interviews, geography of Downton: upstairs and downstairs, a day in service and others.

On 16 September 2011, two days before the UK premiere of the second series, it was reported by Amazon.com that the first series of Downton Abbey had become the highest selling DVD Boxset on the online retailer's website of all time, surpassing popular American programmes such as The Sopranos, Friends and The Wire.[88]

Soundtrack

A soundtrack, featuring music from the series and also new songs, was released by Decca in September 2011. Music by John Lunn and Don Black features, with vocals from Mary-Jess Leaverland and Alfie Boe.[89]

Books

The World of Downton Abbey, a book featuring a behind-the-scenes look at Downton Abbey was released on 15 September 2011. It was written by Jessica Fellowes (the niece of Julian Fellowes) and was published by HarperCollins.[89][90] A second book also written by Jessica Fellowes and published by HarperCollins, The Chronicles of Downton Abbey, was released on 13 September 2012. It is a guide to the third series and the new era which the programme has now entered.[91]

See also

References

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  2. ^ a b McCormack, Kirsty. "Back for more! Hugh Bonneville and Michelle Dockery lead the way as Downton Abbey gets SIXTEEN nominations for this year's Emmys". Daily Mail. London.
  3. ^ a b "Downton Abbey: How Hollywood is snapping up our bright TV drama stars". The Daily Mirror. 7 November 2010. Retrieved 21 September 2011.
  4. ^ "Downton opens for charity". ITV. 21 August 2012. Retrieved 6 October 2012.
  5. ^ David Gritten "Downton Abbey: behind the scenes", Daily Telegraph, 20 September 2010
  6. ^ Ffrench, Andrew (23 April 2010). "Village is the star of the show". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 6 October 2011.
  7. ^ Fellowes, Jessica (15 September 2011). "Downton Abbey: The cast and crew reveal the secrets of filming Downton". London: Daily Mail.
  8. ^ Hollingshead, Iain (24 August 2011). "Trench war comes to Downton Abbey". London: Daily Telegraph.
  9. ^ Waddesdon News - November News
  10. ^ Jace Lacob (29 August 2011). "The Daily Beast". Thedailybeast.com. Retrieved 31 October 2011.
  11. ^ TV and Radio (27 August 2011). "I'm not really posh". London: Telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 31 October 2011.
  12. ^ Downton Abbey 2011 Christmas special. ITV Press Centre, 15 January 2011
  13. ^ a b Downton Abbey show gets second series BBC News, 12 October 2010
  14. ^ a b c Downton Abbey fans should prepare to be shell-shocked The Guardian, 30 July 2011
  15. ^ Downton Abbey fans brace for farewell The Guardian, 6 November 2010
  16. ^ "'Downton Abbey' new series and contest announced by Masterpiece". Monsters and Critics. 1 February 2011. Retrieved 31 October 2011.
  17. ^ TV and Radio (7 March 2011). "The first pictures from the set of Downton Abbey". London: Telegraph. Retrieved 31 October 2011.
  18. ^ "Jessica Brown Findlay Online". www.jessicabfindlay.com. Retrieved 31 October 2011.
  19. ^ Five actors join new 'Downton Abbey' Digital Spy, 18 February 2011
  20. ^ Downton Abbey – Back in 2011 ITV, July 2011
  21. ^ Roche, Elisa (8 November 2011). "New beau Havers woos Downton". Daily Express. Retrieved 8 November 2011.
  22. ^ "Downton stars give hints about series 3 (VIDEO)". What's on TV. 14 December 2011. Retrieved 13 February 2012.
  23. ^ Love, Ryan; Mansell, Tom (14 February 2012). "'Downton Abbey' cast tease 'exciting' series three - watch video". Digital Spy. Retrieved 17 February 2012.
  24. ^ "Downton Abbey, Season 3 — The Phenomenon Lives On!". PBS. Retrieved 27 August 2012.
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Further reading

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