We've been eagerly awaiting the final instalment of the Downton Abbey franchise in the form of third film, Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, especially since details of a moving storyline were confirmed earlier this year. Now, in a new trailer, we've been treated to "sensational" snippets of the plot, which follows the extended Crawley family and their household staff into the 1930s.
With the real life loss of Dame Maggie Smith, executive producer Gareth Naeme previously revealed that the death Dame Maggie's character (Dowager Countess Violet Crawley) will have a profound effect on other characters, meaning it's set to be the most emotional film yet. Universal said that, in this film, the Crawleys must "embrace change and welcome a new chapter" while the trailer tells us, "It's almost time to bid farewell." Here's everything we know about the latest film, including when it will be released in cinemas.
What will happen in Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale?
Exact details of the plot have been kept closely under wraps, but executive producer Gareth Naeme confirmed that the latest film will pay tribute to both the character of Violet and Dame Maggie Smith herself, with the storyline around her loss being particularly poignant.
"With the loss of the Dowager [in Downton Abbey: A New Era], it now feels far more significant that you see actors playing characters mourning the family matriarch. But I also see actors mourning the matriarch of the show, and it feels more genuine and more meaningful," he told TV Line. Back in January, Michelle Dockery (aka Lady Mary Crawley) also said it was "a beautiful film," in an interview with Collider, confirming that it was a "real tribute to Maggie Smith."
From the trailer, we can see shots of a glamorous scenes at the races, a high society party, nights out and theatre shows. In one scene, we see Lady Mary step out in a red silk dress as her sister Lady Edith declares, "You'll be a sensation." Words across the screen read, "The place we'll never forget," with a striking shot of the magnificent abbey, along with "The family we'll never forget". In one clip, we see the family standing outside of Downton as they words "It's almost time to bid farewell," as Lord Grantham smiles, kisses his hand and presses his fingertips into the brickwork of the building. Are they leaving their home forever?
In a release, Universal also listed both Dominic West (who plays Guy Dexter) and Robert James-Collier (who plays Thomas Barrow) as returning cast members. As the pair ended the last film disappearing into the sunset together, we want to know whether they have a happily ever after, or if there is turbulence in store for them in the new film.
One thing we do know for certain is that this film marks the end of the Downton Abbey journey for viewers. Speaking on Heart Radio, Hugh Bonneville said, “The third film we filmed this Summer yes, so that will come out next September, and I think it’s very much the end of the story." He continued: "It's been a wonderful journey, and so I think the third one will be a great sign-off for fans of the show.”
Who's in the Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale cast?
Gathering a cast that’s now based all over the world has always been tricky for producers, and Downton's creator Julian Fellowes said while making the first film that the greatest challenge for the project was "rounding up the actors who have now gone off to the four corners of the earth, in Hollywood, on Broadway, doing plays, doing series, and so on," the Mirror reported.
Luckily, he managed to get everyone together and we can expect to see many of our favourites return, including:
- Hugh Bonneville - Lord Grantham
- Elizabeth McGovern - Lady Grantham
- Michelle Dockery - Lady Mary
- Laura Carmichael - Lady Edith
- Jim Carter - Mr Carson
- Phyllis Logan - Mrs Hughes
- Robert James-Collier - Thomas Barrow
- Joanne Froggatt - Anna Bates
- Dominic West - Guy Dexter
- Penelope Wilton - Isobel Crawley
- Raquel Cassidy - Phyllis Baxter
- Brendan Coyle - John Bates
- Kevin Doyle - Joseph Moseley
- Michael Fox - Andrew Parker
- Allen Leech - Tom Branson
- Sophie McShera - Daisy Mason
- Lesley Nicol - Mrs Patmore
- Paul Copley - Mr Mason
- Douglas Reith - Lord Merton
Other starring names on the cast list - including exciting new additions - include:
- Simon Russell Beale
- Alessandro Nivola
- Arty Froushan
- Joely Richardson
- Harry Hadden-Paton
The film's release date is slated to this autumn, on 12 September 2025. The third film comes nearly 7 years after the first was announced in 2018.
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