Downton Abbey cast reveal secrets and memories ahead of final film release

It really is the end of an era this time for ITV’s most popular ever period drama. Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale sees the cinematic return of the global phenomenon, for one last time on the big screen, fifteen years after it launched in September 2010.

The new third film follows the much-loved Crawley family and their staff as they enter the 1930s. Lady Mary finds herself at the centre of a public scandal going through divorce, the family faces financial trouble, and the entire household grapples with the threat of social disgrace. The Crawleys must embrace change as the staff prepares for a new chapter with the next generation leading Downton Abbey into the future and off into the sunset.

As the film enjoyed its premiere ahead of being released in cinemas on September 12, here the creator and cast discuss the film, behind the scenes secrets and what Downton means to them…

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Downton Abbey writer and Creator Julian Fellowes

On why he brought the cast and crew again for a third film: “At the end of the second film, we said goodbye to the beloved Violet. We wanted to make the point that this may be the end of a family member, but it wasn't the end of the family. I also wanted to show that families like the Crawleys who survived into the modern world, had to redefine themselves, get used to the new way of things and see if they could live with it. Some rather spectacularly could not, but I would like to feel that the Crawleys are one of the surviving families who have come to terms with the modern world.”

On the enduring love for the show around the world and for so long: “We were making a show at a time when most people thought period drama was dead and there was no real audience for it anymore.

“We started to assemble the cast, and I think, looking back, the fact that we got our first choices on all of the cast should have been an indicator that we were onto something because it was extraordinary. Maggie Smith had never been in an ongoing series, but once we got Maggie, Hugh Bonneville and Jim Carter, it was clear that we were going to attract a great cast.

“That was very important to us because it meant that our guest stars were going to be first-class as well. We had one or two early hints that we had made something special when normally the second episode dips in terms of its audience numbers, but we grew ours by a million. From then on, the numbers kept going up and up, and I knew we'd made a jolly good show.

“The great surprise came four months later when it was shown in America in huge numbers, and they adored it. The American audience changed everything, and suddenly, we were showing all over the world. Now, it feels quite complete. I'm not saying we'll never see Downton Abbey in any other form - one should never say 10 never, but I think it feels natural and right that we have made the journey with the original concept and the original cast, so I'm rather pleased about that.”

Lord Grantham star Hugh Bonneville

On the film synopsis and magic of Downton: “The third film is set in 1930, so time has inched on in its glacial way from the second film. At the end of Downton Abbey: A New Era, we had the sense there was a shifting in the sands and that Robert was going to hand over the estate to Lady Mary to run. He has, however, been a little slow in doing that. He’s reluctant to hand things on because even though he knows it's the right thing to do, he realises that his principal function in life has been maintaining the status quo at Downton Abbey. It begs the question what will his purpose be thereafter? That’s something that anyone facing retirement might contemplate - what his new chapter is going to look like, and he’s slightly reluctant to take that step.”

On the magic of Downing: “I think underpinning everything in Downton Abbey is a sense of compassion and trying to do the right thing even when that goes askew. That is its great legacy. The feedback we've all had over the years from people saying that the show has meant something to them and their families and that it struck a chord because of the dynamics within it and the feeling that you get from it makes us all very proud. That all comes from Julian and the writing.”

Lady Mary star Michelle Dockery

On the legacy of her part in the drama: “I don't think I will ever say goodbye to Mary or Downton. Mary will always be part of me as will Downton Abbey as a whole. We are such a family that, for us, it never really ends.”

On Storyline: “At the start of the film, she is almost no longer Lady Mary Talbot. She is separated and about to officially divorce. Despite that, we find her in a good place. In the last film, you could see the beginnings of a changing of the guard. With Violet's death, it was very much an end of an era. The reality of that for Robert is setting in. There's been a lot of talk about Mary taking the reins, but not her actually doing it. They’re all still grieving Violet, so for Robert, there's a reluctance for him to really pass the baton on. It's been a very soft transition, but this film is really about change.”

On the costumes: “Anna Robbins, our extraordinary costume designer, has been given a little bit more license to push into the 1930s just so that we see a bit of change. The shapes are slightly different. The waists are higher with a slightly more risqué length and a little bit more ankle. I love that Mary's colours have slightly changed this time. In fact, she and Edith have swapped. Mary is in pinker, slightly more vulnerable tones. Every series or film, Anna Robbins goes above and beyond, and this year is the best, particularly Ascot. Everyone looks amazing, and the hats are incredible. It was like looking at a painting, seeing all the costumes together.”

Working with Laura Carmichael for what could be the last time: “We spend so much time together in our normal lives, it doesn't feel like a goodbye. We’ve just had the best time. It's been 14 years and we've grown up together. Both of us were in our twenties when we started this. It’s brought us all so much joy. We are like family, we've all been there for each other, and it was so important in this film, particularly because we know it's the last one, to relish every second. I felt very conscious of that each day at work, and so wanted to soak it all up.”

Lady Hexham star Laura Carmichael

On Julian Fellowes talent: “We all wish we knew what magic there is in these stories. He's an incredible man, so articulate and so thoughtful. He always surprises us with these moments in the script. I love reading them, and I'm always excited to see what he comes up with. There are always these hidden gems, but he knows how to bring a character to life in a short amount of time and that's a real gift.

“We thought we were saying goodbye with the series and then to have the films has been such a gift and a real bonus for us. Knowing that this is the last one, I don't think I've got my head around it. It'll probably be something that hits me in years to come, but we all want it to be the best that it can be in a fitting way to say goodbye.”

On the changing 1930s costumes in the film: “The costumes are always so much fun and such a huge part of the process. Working with Anna [Robbins] is the earliest interaction when you come back to film, and planning the fun looks that she’s designing is always so exciting. The designers always want to up their game and top the last one, and this film is no exception. Now that we're in 1930 we get to change the silhouette. They're slinkier and more daring. Ascot was spectacular to see everyone dress so beautifully all at once.”

On filming scenes at ‘Ascot’ racecourse: “Ascot was a lot of fun. We shot at Ripon Racecourse where the world of Ascot was recreated. There were a huge number of supporting artists, incredible set dressing and horses racing for us. It was very exciting. To see everyone together like that is a real thrill. We completely understood why that was going to be such a key part of the film when we saw it all come together like that. It was really special.”

Anna Bates star Joanna Froggatt

On her time on Downton which made her a global star: “It feels nostalgic to look back on the last 15 years of the show and the films, and we do so with great affection and lots of memories. You don't always get to do that as an actor, it's very rare. We've been so fortunate to have such a wonderful group of people to keep coming back to, and that shows we have all really enjoyed this experience. It's been amazing and incredibly special.”

On the show’s scripts: “I think what makes Julian’s scripts so special is Julian himself. He is the only person that can write these scripts in the way that he does. They're period stories, but with a modern style of storytelling 47 which gives the audience the best of both worlds. He has the freedom to do whatever he wants with these characters because it’s an original story and not an adaptation. The fans have really engaged with that. Add to that you can watch Downton with generations of your family all together. It appeals to teenagers, parents, grandparents and great-grandparents - he just has this knack of bringing families together.”

On Anna’s concern for Lady Mary with her divorce: "In the 1930s, divorce wasn’t socially acceptable and Anna was really concerned for her as she would be for any friend. Lady Mary is going through a really difficult time, and so Anna really feels for her, for not just the heartbreak of the situation, but the repercussions of what it means for Lady Mary in society.

Divorce was big news in 1930, and this news has affected the rest of the household too. It seems crazy to think of that in this day and age, but back then divorce was frowned upon, and a divorced woman wasn't permitted to be in polite company. This news has understandably brought with it a dark cloud over the entire household. The servants don't generally gossip but this is big news.”

Mr Bates star Brendan Coyle

On the film being the last goodbye: “Life is good, but again, there is a real sense that incrementally these characters are saying goodbye to something. We are saying goodbye to Downton Abbey but at least moving on to the Dower House, so we'll be together.”

“You never know when you start shooting anything how it will land with the audience or if it will even find an audience. We knew it was a solid script with great characters. Maggie Smith was on board so we all hoped people would love it as we did, but we didn’t know it.”

Where do we find Anna and Bates in the film? “They’re in a very good place and expecting their second child. Life is good, but again, there is a real sense that incrementally these characters are saying goodbye to something. We are saying goodbye to Downton Abbey but at least moving on to the Dower House, so we'll be together.

They’ve had their fair share of ups and downs over the years, but they are definitely an audience favourite, and we would want them to have a happy ending. Audiences have always resonated with the couple and wanted the best for them, so we do hope the bad times are behind them.”

On his fondest memories: "The most significant and best storyline for me was the development of the romance between Bates and Anna. It was so beautifully written with restraint; it was old-fashioned and romantic and took its time. It was a very delicate process that audiences responded to. My friendship and working relationship with Joanne Froggatt (Anna) was fantastic. We were just totally simpatico as actors and knew what we wanted to achieve and create. I loved little things. We had a storyline early on in the series when their romance was just beginning. Anna was ill and Bates brought her a tray with flowers and a cup of tea, and it was forbidden to go to the women’s sleeping quarters. All very clandestine in the name of love and a lot of jeopardy in that scene.”

Carson star Jim Carter

On it being the end of Downton and the end of Carson’s career: “Carson has come to the end of his time at Downton Abbey and he's settling into gentle retirement. In some ways Carson is Downton Abbey. He's worked there for fifty-odd years, and he's the embodiment of the old-fashioned spirit of the place. It's been his home for most of that time and being a butler is a good job with status, plus he's good at it.

On his favourite memory: “My fondest memory of working on the show is going paddling with Phyllis Logan in the sea, holding her hand. Firstly, because it settled a nice storyline that had been about four series brewing, but also a private memory for that moment. For me, that was a really lovely scene.

"Secondly, the best bit of shooting that scene was watching the crew having to retreat into the sea with their trousers rolled up around their knees as we walked towards them with the tide coming in, splashing around their waists, and trying to keep a straight face!”

Tom Branson star Allen Leech

On where Tom is at the start of the film: “We find Tom coming back to the house to help the family out at the request of Edith who is quite worried about Mary and what she's going through. He’s also keen to cast his discerning eye over a certain Mr. Sambrook and see what he's up to.”

On his first day filming at Highclere Castle: “I joined the show in episode four of the first series and my first scene was in the library with Robert. It was a beautiful sunny day in May and I remember coming around the corner of the drive to see the Castle for the first time - it was pretty impressive. I'll never forget how lovely Michelle and Laura were because they scooped me up to have lunch with them on the lawn and it was absolutely fantastic. It was just a sign of how wonderful everyone on this show has been and the fact that there were no egos. It is a family. It's a true ensemble, and everyone has everyone else's back.”

On why people should go watch on the big screen: “Ultimately the big screen is what all the films have been made for. This is the final film, and we've gone all out. Our director, Simon, and producers have made sure that it is going to be a big, bold screen farewell. There's nothing quite like a shared experience in the cinema, especially with 57 Downton Abbey. You know that when you go to see this film you're going to be sitting there with people who love Downton, so you're going to get to say goodbye as a big group of fans, and you can’t beat that experience.”

* Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale is in cinemas from September 12, certificate PG.

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