Just when we thought we couldn’t go home again, Downton Abbey opens its doors once more.

Spanning 15 years, six television seasons, three movies, and an array of exhibitions, books, and themed events around the world, it’s time to say goodbye (for real this time!) to Downton Abbey. Whether you were sure that Downton Abbey: A New Era was the final goodbye and you’re happy to reunite with the Crawley family and their staff one last time or you’re not ready for them to go, it’s safe to say that it’s the end of an era. Personally, I’m stuck between the two: I truly thought the second film would be the last, but saying farewell now is bittersweet. Downton Abbey brought me into public media as a career and to GPB (if you’ve attended previous Downton Abbey screenings, we may have met while I was dressed in Lady Sybil’s famous harem pants): without Downton, my life would be quite different now. I’ll be forever thankful for Downton Abbey, MASTERPIECE, PBS, and GPB for nurturing such a vibrant fandom full of people of all ages and walks of life, coming together to gasp, laugh, cry, and commiserate over our favorite fictional family.

And the best part? We get to do it one last time. 

On September 10, 2025, we hope you’ll join us for one last advance screening, a last ‘hurrah’ if you will, of Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale at Phipps Plaza in Atlanta before its worldwide debut. Choose from our silver level pair of tickets or, for a memorable night out, opt for our gold level tickets, which include an exclusive reception to meet other Downton fans and GPB staff as well as a copy of the companion book. No matter which ticket package you choose, your donation both celebrates the legacy of Downton Abbey and supports the future of Georgia Public Broadcasting as we bring the best of British dramas and mysteries to you though PBS, MASTERPIECE, and a variety of acquisition programs on TV and streaming.

And while we can’t wait to welcome you in September, with the aforementioned six television seasons and two previous films, there’s quite a lot of Downton to remember. If you need a refresher of Downton Abbey: A New Era, don’t worry: here’s where we left the Crawley family and their staff at the end of second film:

Downstairs, Miss Baxter and Mr. Molesley are finally engaged! Their careful, yet sweet courtship finally culminated in his proposal during the filming at Downton, where the downstairs staff were not only invited beyond the green baize door, they were outfitted in late Victorian costumes for The Gambler (set in 1875) that wouldn’t look too out of place in Julian Fellowes’ current TV series at HBO, The Gilded Age. The film left other ripple effects in the downstairs hierarchy, too: Thomas Barrow fell in love with film star Guy Dexter, a love interest who not only reciprocates his feelings but invites him to be his personal assistant in America so they can remain together. Thomas is due to depart Downton, but not without Mary navigating a way forward with the management of the downstairs staff. In a particularly tender scene, she asks Mr. Carson to return temporarily in order to train Andy into becoming Downton’s new butler. 

Upstairs, the contingent of the Crawley family who visited the South of France to secure Sybbie Branson’s inheritance of a villa, by way of Violet, returned to Downton to find Mary dubbing over actress Myrna Dalgleish’s lines due to Mary’s preferred accent by filmmaker Jack Barber and Violet seemingly coming to terms with the end of her life. Meanwhile, Robert is faced with losing both his mother and Cora, as his wife battles a health scare. Violet indeed passes away, surrounded by her family and no regrets, but Cora receives optimistic news from Dr. Clarkson: she has pernicious anemia, which resembles cancer symptoms but is treatable. As for the younger members of the Crawley family, Edith is inspired after the visit to France to continue working at the magazine several days a week, the now-married Tom and Lucy welcome a new half-sibling for Sybbie, and Mary decides against kissing Mr. Barber when presented with the opportunity, instead staying faithful in her seemingly-unfulfilling marriage to Henry Talbot (which will certainly become a point of contention in the final film). 

The cast of Downton Abbey posing in front of Highclere Castle

Dressed in red, Lady Mary is at the center of the cast photo with Henry Talbot nowhere to be found.

Tickets for our advance screening of Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale on September 10 in Atlanta are available now in both the silver and gold packages. Book now in order to be the first to discover the final chapter in one of the beloved MASTERPIECE and PBS series, around the world and right here in Georgia with GPB.

 

Join GPB in Atlanta on Wednesday, September 10 for a special preview screening of the third and final Downton Abbey film, Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale!