WARNING: This article contains spoilers from Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale
Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale has finally landed in cinemas after much anticipation and excitement.
Creator Julian Fellowes has stated this will be the end of a chapter for Downton Abbey with the current cast, although he hasn’t ruled out spin-offs later down the line.
The movie features some new cast members and impressive locations added to the world of Downton Abbey and sees very much a turning point of the tide as the next generation gears up to run the estate.
Many fans of the franchise are keen to know how the epic period drama wraps up.
Here’s the lowdown on the ending, including the key points.
How did Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale end?
Lady Mary restores her reputation
At the start of the film, Lady Mary (played by Michelle Dockery) found herself on an uneven keel after her divorce from Henry Talbot (Matthew Goode).
She was shunned from the Petersfield Ball, with Lady Petersfield (Joely Richardson) asking her to leave the soiree for fear of courting further controversy in the papers but the damage was already done.
The heiress sought to restore her reputation with the County Fair, which brought the community together and created a strong bond between her and the locals.
There was also a dinner party attended by acclaimed playwright and composer Noël Coward (Arty Froushan), which added to her kudos.
Lady Mary takes over Downton Abbey
Following scandal in society over being a divorcée, Mary takes over the running of Downton Abbey.
Her father Lord Robert Crawley (Hugh Bonneville) and Lady Cora (Elizabeth McGovern) moved into Dower House, which was previously the abode of the Lady Violet, the Dowager Countess (Maggie Smith).
Robert’s move solidifies Mary’s position to run the grand house as she pleases, with her father now essentially retired from his role.
Mr Carson and Miss Patmore retire
Two of Downton’s longest-serving members of staff stepped down for good with Mr Carson (Jim Carter) and Miss Patmore (Lesley Nicol) very much handing over the reins to Andy Parker (Michael Fox) and Daisy (Sophie McShera) respectively.
Mr Bates and Anna’s move
Another couple departing the great house were Mr Bates (Brendan Coyle) and his wife Anna (Joanne Froggatt), who were moving to Dower House with Robert and Cora to serve them.
Mary and Edith’s fond farewell
Following their years of feuding, it looks like Mary and Edith (Laura Carmichael) finally buried the hatchet with a sweet goodbye.
Edith and her husband Bertie Pelham (Harry Hadden-Paton) live with their children at another location, leaving Mary as the last Crawley in Downton.
Mary is left alone next to the portrait of Violet in the great hall, looking up at her beloved acerbic grandmother.
The closing scenes
The film finishes with a montage of flashbacks, as Mary reminisces about her late husband Matthew (Dan Stevens), her grandmother and also her sister Lady Sybil (Jessica Brown-Findlay), who tragically died in childbirth during series three.
There are also some brief peeks of the lives of the former Downton residents in their new lives in a mid-credits scenes.
Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale is screening in theatres now
