The Crawleys are returning for one last bow in Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, the third and final film in the beloved franchise, due to hit UK cinemas on 12 September. And if the newly released trailer is anything to go by, fans can expect high drama, big emotions, and a suitably lavish send-off.

Set in 1930, The Grand Finale picks up with Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) stepping boldly into London society, where she’s faced with the glare of the press, and possibly a new way of life. Meanwhile, Lord and Lady Grantham (Hugh Bonneville and Elizabeth McGovern) remain at the helm of the Yorkshire estate, quietly grappling with the changes time and progress have wrought.

Fifteen years on from the original ITV series that captured hearts across the world, this final chapter brings the curtain down on one of the most enduring British television sagas of our time. Writer and creator Julian Fellowes returns once more, with Simon Curtis, who directed Downton Abbey: A New Era, back in the director’s chair.

And they’ve brought the full family along

(L to R) Raquel Cassidy stars as Miss Baxter, Kevin Doyle as Mr. Molesley, Sophie McShera as Daisy Parker, Phyllis Logan as Mrs. Hughes, Lesley Nicol as Mrs. Patmore, Jim Carter as Mr. Carson, Brendan Coyle as Mr. Bates and Joanne Froggatt as Anna Bates in DOWNTON ABBEY: The Grand Finale, a Focus Features release. Credit: Rory Mulvey / © 2025 FOCUS FEATURES LLC

Familiar faces abound, from Jim Carter’s steadfast Mr Carson to Joanne Froggatt’s resilient Anna. Brendan Coyle, Phyllis Logan, Penelope Wilton, and Laura Carmichael are all back in their iconic roles, while new names, including Joely Richardson, Alessandro Nivola, and Simon Russell Beale, promise to stir things up. Dominic West also reprises his role as the dashing silent film star Guy Dexter, adding a touch of silver screen sparkle.

Read more: A close look at Jilly Cooper’s Rivals

But one absence will be deeply felt

Dame Maggie Smith, who played the formidable Dowager Countess Violet Crawley, passed away in 2024. Though her character’s death was written into the second film, The Grand Finale is the first release since her passing — and all signs suggest the production is set to honour her legacy. A touching moment in the trailer shows Lady Mary gazing at a portrait of her late grandmother, suggesting a farewell that will be as poignant as it is grand.

There’s going to be no shortage of classic Downton flair in this last outing. The trailer teases a family trip to the races, glittering balls, and all the old-world glamour that fans have come to love. There are vintage motors, sweeping staircases, and of course fashions to die for. But amid the elegance, hints of change are everywhere. In one shot, Lady Mary walks through what might be a London flat – a departure from her palatial upbringing, and perhaps a nod to the future of the Crawley family.

Highclere Castle – the real-life family seat of the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon – once again stars as Downton itself. For Lady Carnarvon, who opens her home each summer to the cast and crew, the series’ success has always come down to one thing: authenticity. “It was actually built as a home,” she says in a piece for Tatler. “Not like Blenheim or Chatsworth… it was built around the sense of family.”

There’s a quiet poetry in that

Because Downton Abbey, for all its aristocratic trappings, has always been a story about family; found, chosen, and inherited. As the final chapter approaches, it seems fitting that the last image released shows Lady Mary walking away, scarlet gown trailing, casting one last glance back. A signal, perhaps, that it’s time for all of us to do the same.

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale will be released in UK cinemas on 12 September 2025.

Sam Harrington-Lowe

Sam is Silver’s founder and editor-in-chief. She’s largely responsible for organising all the things, but still finds time to do the odd bit of writing. Not enough though. Send help.

The post Downton Abbey bids a final farewell with “The Grand Finale” appeared first on Silver Magazine.

The timeless Downton Abbey sequel hits the UK screens on 29 April, and we’ve got exclusive behind the scenes shots to share. Not only that, but an EXCLUSIVE GOODY BAG GIVEAWAY (more on that below).

The film will see the Crawley family journey to the south of France to visit the Dowager Countess’s newly-inherited villa. Upon their arrival, it seems a mystery is waiting to be solved… And no, we’re not telling you any more than that.

Downton Abbey: A new Era is a follow-up to the 2019 feature film in which the Crawley family and Downton staff received a royal visit from the King and Queen of Great Britain, and it boasts a stellar cast such as Hugh Bonneville, Samantha Bond, Maggie Smith and Penelope WIlton, to name but a few.

To celebrate the return of our favourite historical drama, we’re giving four lucky fans the chance to win a goody bag! The Downton-branded merchandise includes a bag, an umbrella, a mug, flask, pen, and notebook. For your chance to win, fill in the form at the bottom. Good luck!

Your first look behind the scenes

Photos by Ben Blackall / © 2022 Focus Features, LLC

BTS documentarian Phil Stoole and actors Tuppence Middleton and Allen Leech

Elizabeth McGovern stars as Cora Grantham and Laura Carmichael as Lady Edith Hexham

Laura Carmichael, Samantha Bond, Hugh Bonneville and Maggie Smith

Allen Leech as Tom Branson, Nathalie Baye as Mme Montmirail, Elizabeth McGovern as Cora Grantham, Hugh Bonneville as Robert Grantham, Tuppence Middleton as Lucy Branson, Laura Carmichael as Lady Edith, Jonathan Zaccäi as M Montmirail, Jim Carter as Mr. Carson, Imelda Staunton stars as Lady Bagshaw and Harry Hadden-Paton as Bertie Pelham

Kevin Doyle as Mr. Molesley and Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary

Michael Fox as Andy, Joanne Froggatt as Anna, Sophie McShera as Daisy, and Lesley Nicol as Mrs. Patmore

www.downtonabbeyfilm.co.uk

WIN A FABULOUS DOWNTON ABBEY GOODY BAG

silvermagazine

If you’d like to receive a regular mini-magazine direct to your inbox with a selection of editorial features to read at your leisure, please sign up for our newsletter. We also run the odd competition and offer and whatnot, and newsletter members get the heads-up first.

The post Downton Abbey 2: behind the scenes and goody bag giveaway! appeared first on Silver Magazine.