Third & Final 'Downton Abbey' Film Christened "The Grand Finale"
Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary in 'Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale'
Focus Features
Downton Abbey is revving up for one more round of storytelling on the big screen, but after this, the story is done. Thus proclaims the third movie's new title, Downton Abbey: The Grande Finale, revealed by Focus Features along with the poster key art for the film. The third feature-length installment of the Crawley Family's further adventures during the late 1920s was inevitable from the moment the second film, Downton Abbey: A New Era, broke even despite lockdown-related delays and pandemic-depressed audiences. But with the title's reveal, it is clear that everyone is ready to move on ten years after the show's finale.
The third film's very pointed title speaks to how much the series has spent its time on the screen being underestimated. First, ITV assumed the series was a one-and-done, then Masterpiece thought Americans wouldn't be that into it and cut the first season down to four episodes; both networks wound up with the show breaking viewership records. Then, after the show ended in 2015, it took four years to convince anyone a movie would work. By then, the pent-up demand drove the film straight to number one at the box office, shocking the industry.
As much as every artist says they want to be part of something that lasts forever, that doesn't necessarily mean making new ones forever. Eventually, all good things must come to an end; it's the only way to ensure they stay good. If this is to be a finale, at least they're making it grand.
'Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale' Poster
Focus Features
As always, Julian Fellowes wrote the screenplay, with director Simon Curtis once again back to helm the feature film. Once again, no synopsis for the third film exists beyond the very bog standard logline, which emphasizes how much everyone involved does not wish to make a fourth:
A final return to Downton Abbey for the third and last feature film.
However, the sprawling cast has been confirmed. As always, the upstairs core ensemble will feature fan-favorites Hugh Bonneville and Elizabeth McGovern as Lord and Lady Grantham; Penelope Wilton and Douglas Reith as Lord & Lady Merton; Michelle Dockery and Laura Carmichael as daughters Lady Mary & Lady Edith; Harry Hadden-Paton as Lady Edith's husband Bertie; Allen Leech as son-in-law Tom; and Dominic West as Lady Mary's next love interest Guy Dexter.
The downstairs core ensemble brings back Jim Carter and Phyllis Logan as Carson & Hughes; Brendan Coyle and Joanne Froggat as Bates & Anna; Raquel Cassidy and Kevin Doyle as Baxter & Molesley; Robert James-Collier and Michael Fox as Barrow & Andy; and Lesley Nicols and Sophie McShera as Patmore & Daisy.
The third and final film will also feature Paul Giamatti reprising his role as Cora’s brother, Harold Levinson, for the first time on the big screen. Other guest stars for the third film include Joely Richardson (Renegade Nell), Simon Russell Beale (Mary & George), British-American actor Arty Froushan (House of the Dragon), and American actor Alessandro Nivola (Black Narcissus). Still not listed: Lady Mary's husband Henry (Matthew Goode), Tom's new wife Lucy (Tuppence Middleton), and Jim Carter's real-life wife tacked on as some distant relative or other (Imelda Staunton). The late Maggie Smith will be given a tribute.
Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale will arrive in theaters on Friday, September 12, 2025.
