Downton Abbey 2

It is completely unexpected but very welcome news that Violet Crawley ( Maggie Smith ) receives at Downton Abbey: a deceased French earl has bequeathed her a villa in southern France. So her son Robert ( Hugh Bonneville ) and some other family members and servants of the estate travel to France to clarify the exact ownership situation with the survivors of the deceased. Meanwhile, Lady Mary ( Michelle Dockery ) remains at Downton Abbey 2

, where a film crew has announced they will use the property for filming. Most notably Daisy ( Sophie McShera ), Mr. Molesley ( Kevin Doyle), and several other members of the servants are thrilled at the prospect of watching real Hollywood stars at work. But actress Myrna Dalgleish ( Laura Haddock) proves unintriguing off-screen due to her diva-like demeanor, while director Jack Barber ( Hugh Dancy ) openly flirts with Lady Mary. In France, on the other hand, the late Count’s widow, Madame Montmirail ( Nathalie Baye ), gives Robert and his entourage an extremely cool reception. On top of that, some exciting revelations await Robert about his mother’s past…

This part of the story focuses on Robert Crawley, who is thrown into a crisis of meaning by a number of revelations and developments. Apart from a large number of guest stars and the setting in France, this second feature film feels exactly like an episode of the series in a positive sense. The acting performances of the predominantly British character actors are as high as usual and the plot also revolves around proven elements such as illnesses, rumors, family secrets, money problems, or unfulfilled desires. Although, of course, as in the series, some characters are clearly in the foreground, the film really gives all the main and supporting characters their space. For some of them, too, the transition to a new era is taking place here and they are embarking on new (career) paths. After the sixth season finale and the first theatrical film, this is the third time Julian Fellowes has had to put an end to Downton Abbey and while it’s a bittersweet one this time, it’s also a hugely successful one. However, that doesn’t mean that we don’t wish for a reunion with the characters we’ve come to love…

• Downton Abbey 2