The Final Hats of 'Downton Abbey'

Downton Abbey was the beginning of a new era on PBS when it debuted, even though no one knew it at the time. Meant as a truncated one-and-done miniseries when it premiered in the depths of winter in 2011, the series became a word-of-mouth sensation via burgeoning social media. By the time Season 2 debuted in January 2012, Downton, now as a weekly drama, did something for PBS that hadn't been accomplished since the introduction of cable TV to the landscape: it beat the other broadcast stations for the most viewers that evening.

The series was also part of a one-two punch (along with Game of Thrones) that brought a new generation of women to TV criticism; Telly Visions is a product of that boom, as am I. The first post I ever wrote that got a wide audience readership could have been posted here at the time, had Lacy and I known each other: "The Hats of Downton Abbey."

Part of Downton Abbey's attraction was the detailed props and costumes harkening back to an era when men and women wore gloves, and toasters were seen as godless contraptions. But the hats have always been on point, from the original Edwardian-era Season 1, through to the beginning of the end of the interwar period in 1930. With the final film, Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, taking us off to the Ascot races, the hats for this final go round promise to be something special. Let's take a gander.

Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) naturally is sporting the perfect floppy Ascot doily hat, the kind that looks so soft even as it magically holds shape under slowly wilting live flowers. 

You will never go wrong with Hugh Bonneville in a silk top hat, even though Lady Cora (Elizabeth McGovern) is clearly sporting the more interesting outfit of the two. 

You can give her a title, but you will pry the middle-class fashion sensibilities from Isobel's (Penelope Wilton) cold, dead hands. Unsurprisingly, that leaves Douglas Reith as Lord Merton doing the hard work. (Very well, I might add.)

It is utter justice that Lady Edith (Laura Carmichael) not only marries up in the world and gets to keep living the aristocratic lifestyle, but that she has the most delicate, most expensive hat of the lot. Allen Leech (as Tom) and Harry Hadden-Paton (as Lord Hexham) both come correct.

I take it back. Harold Levinson (Paul Giamatti), the New Yorker, has the most expensive hat. A lovely dove grey silk one too.

Here's the film's synopsis:

The cinematic return of the global phenomenon follows the Crawley family and their staff as they enter the 1930s. When Mary finds herself at the center of a public scandal and the family faces financial trouble, 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.

Confession time: I had forgotten that Barrow (Robert James-Collier) left to move to California with Guy Dexter (Dominic West) at the end of A New Era until I saw this photo and realized they were now a couple. At least they both came back sporting respectable headwear.

Meanwhile, it's working-class bowler time for the lads like Bates (Brendan Coyle), and quite a cute little cloche number on Anna's head, almost as round as the pregnancy belly they're making poor Joanne Froggatt run around in.

As a pensioner (not that they got pensions yet in the 1930s), Mr. Carson (Jim Carter) is entitled to don an old straw number rather than a more proper bowler. 

Mrs. Hughes (Phyllis Logan) absolutely took that hat home after someone left it at the big house and never returned for it. That's my fanfic about that hat, and I'm sticking to it.

I am all about Mrs. Patmore's (Lesley Nichol) fancy hat and coat. A single woman of her age should splurge on nice things. 

Poor Andy (Michael Fox), as a footman, can only aspire to bowler hatdom, stuck in a newspaper boy flatcap, while Daisy (Sophie McShera) sports a cute cloche she clearly bought from the same place as Anna.

Last but not least, we have our adorable late addition couple to the group. Kevin Doyle's Mr. Moseley has been around since the show's start, but Baxter (Raquel Cassidy), like Michael Fox, was a much later addition, coming in during the show's final few seasons. However, while Andy and Daisy were obvious endgame from the start, Moseley and Baxter didn't actually come together until the end of A New Era.

I have to say, more than the hat (which is nice), Baxter's dress is absolutely darling. Good to know she's using those sewing skills for herself as well.

Oh, and of course, let's not forget the best hats of all: tiaras.

Guest stars for the third film, not pictured in the above images, 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). 

As always, Julian Fellowes wrote the screenplay, with director Simon Curtis once again at the helm..

The behind-the-scenes special Downton Abbey Celebrates the Grand Finale, featuring the cast, debuts on NBC on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at 9 p.m. ET and streams the next day on Peacock. Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale will also premiere with special advanced screenings on Wednesday, September 10, before opening globally in theaters on Friday, September 12, 2025.