Downton Abbey
Overview
Downton Abbey is a British historical drama television series set in the early 20th century, created and co-written by Julian Fellowes. The series first aired 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.
Setting and Synopsis
The series is set in the fictional Yorkshire country estate of Downton Abbey, home to the Earl and Countess of Grantham, and follows the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family and their domestic servants in the post-Edwardian era. The time frame spans from 1912, marked by the sinking of the RMS Titanic, to 1926. The great events of the time have effects on their lives and on the British social hierarchy.
Production
Downton Abbey was filmed at Highclere Castle, a country house in Hampshire, which served as the main exterior and interior set for the Grantham house. Other locations were also used to depict the world of the early 1900s, including Bampton in Oxfordshire, which was used for outdoor scenes and St. Mary's Church for the weddings and christenings.
Characters and Cast
The series features an ensemble cast, led by Hugh Bonneville as Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham, and Elizabeth McGovern as his wife Cora Crawley. Their three daughters are portrayed by Michelle Dockery (Lady Mary Crawley), Laura Carmichael (Lady Edith Crawley), and Jessica Brown Findlay (Lady Sybil Crawley).
Reception and Legacy
Downton Abbey has been acclaimed as one of the best television series of the 21st century. It has been praised for its high production values, writing, and character development, and has received numerous awards and nominations.