The heirs to Downton Abbey who perished in the sinking of the Titanic, the Crawley family finds itself in a delicate position, with three descendants unable to claim the title of Lord Grantham. However, family title, tenure and property are indivisible. Matthew Crowley, the new heir and distant cousin, arrives at Downton Abbey. There he discovers a new way of life, with very strict rules governing life between aristocrats and servants.
Downton Abbeyn, a series created by Julian Fellowes with Hugh Bonneville, Michelle Dockery, Maggie Smith, Elizabeth McGovern… until August 14 on Netflix
When Julian Fellowes’ historical drama Downton Abbey first aired on ITV in the UK in 2010, it was an instant hit and quickly went global. With such elaborate plots, well-characterized characters, and successfully embedded in the great history of the early 20th century, the series immediately knew how to bring its own unique tone. But what makes the series so enjoyable and entertaining?
Irresistible dialogues
Downton Abbey may be a drama – and we’ve often taken our handkerchiefs – but one of its great qualities is its snappy dialogue and humorous content. Special mention to Maggie Smith who delivers the real punchlines that have all become classics. So many moments that make the Crowley family particularly endearing and break the very closed image associated with their rank.
Many intriguing characters
Almost every character in the series has an interesting story. The writers of Downton Abbey do a great job of weaving together the conflicts and themes of the various characters. Main characters and supporting characters have about the same amount of screen time. Whether it’s the hopeful and strong-willed characters like Anne the Maid (Joan Froggatt) or the more sinister and evil characters like Thomas Foot (Rob James-Collier) and Mrs. O’Brien (Siobhan Finneran), each one contributes to the suspense of the story and the various dramas.
Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary
stress
This is one characteristic of Downton Abbey that defies the history series’ high-sounding image: the tension and rhythm are brilliant and present in each episode. There are brief plots where the tension rises, which can be resolved in one episode. But this tension can continue throughout the season and accompany the character’s narrative arc, which really captivates the audience. As well as Mary’s (Michelle Docker) love affair with Matthew (Dan Stevens), which faced many obstacles with soap opera elements. To the point where we often wondered if the two would reunite one day.
Great story in the background
Because Downton Abbey is a historical series, there are many instances where real historical figures met our fictional characters. The series begins in 1912, when the Titanic sank. The second season explores the impact of the First World War on the daily lives of English people at the time. It also focuses on the political tension between England and Ireland through characters such as Tom Branson (Allen Leach). These events, of course, affect the lives of each character. Often realistic and dramatic.
Rich arches
The complexity of the story arcs is not limited to the main cast. Julian Fellowes made sure to invest in every character he created. At the beginning there is a major plot twist, which is the possibility that the Granthams will lose Downton Abbey forever because there is no longer a male heir. Later, a woman, one of the supporting characters, falls in love with a man who is still married. When they are finally together, he is framed for murder and executed. These serious complications literally change the characters. Lady Mary’s fate alone is a novel in itself. A woman of character forced to marry to save her family, romantics offended and marked by tragedy, she is a charming heroine, like all her companions.
If you haven’t seen Downton Abbey and you’re worried about watching a series centered on a British aristocratic family that will smell like poop, give it a chance. You will not be disappointed·E!
Downton Abbey leaves the Netflix catalog on August 14.
(Re)watch the cast interview when Downton Abbey 2 hits theaters:
Source: allocine
Camila Luna is a writer at Gossipify, where she covers the latest movies and television series. With a passion for all things entertainment, Camila brings her unique perspective to her writing and offers readers an inside look at the industry. Camila is a graduate from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with a degree in English and is also a avid movie watcher.
