(Spoiler Alert) What will become of Downton Abbey?
IZZY CUTTS TRIES TO PREDICT HOW DOWNTON ABBEY WILL CONCLUDE ITS FINAL SERIES
Since the announcement in March that the sixth series of Downton Abbey would be the last, there has been much speculation about how the show will end. Filming finished in August of this year, with the first episode aired at the end of September. But with the seventh episode tonight, and only one more to go before the Christmas special finale, the end is nearly upon us. The sixth series, set in 1925, 13 years after the first episode, has already been a very dramatic one. There have been marriages, snogging, burst ulcers and all sorts, but there have also been many hints as to how the producers will tie up all the loose ends. Producer Gareth Neame told the Guardian that not everyone will have a happy ending which set tongues wagging, but let’s see what we can predict from everything we know so far…
EARL OF GRANTHAM
Lord Grantham provided the shock of the series when he erupted with blood across the dining room, which despite the ‘shocking scenes’ warnings prompted many complaints from viewers. Although he seems to be on the mend, could this be a grim warning of what’s to come? They wouldn’t kill off Hugh Bonneville surely!?
With the changing times there has also been much debate about whether the family will lose Downton, and with the Wall Street crash looming, staff cuts and opening their house to the public for the first time in last week’s episode, it is a real possibility for the ending of the show – despite the determination Mary has expressed this series. Although Neame said that it would be unfair for him to endure the Wall Street crash, as “he has had to endure too much.”
Apparently, a secret final trailer of the Christmas episode shown to insiders shows the cast packing up Downton Abbey to leave, but if it is anything like the final series trailer (definitely didn’t make me well-up a bit in the library), the ending is still very much ambiguous.
LADY MARY
So far this series we have seen Mary’s slow but sure progression to becoming a modern woman, as she takes over the management of the estate and even giving up side-saddle. However, the main plotline has been her ‘will-they won’t-they’ dalliance with racing driver Henry Talbot.
There’s also that maid that was threatening her, in the first episode, remember that? Although that seemed to be resolved by the Earl, it was a reminder of the skeletons Mary has in her closet that always seem to comeback and haunt her.
I think many fans would love to see Mary happy again, and while she seems unconvinced of Talbot’s credentials, Tom has been encouraging her.
Jim Carter, who plays Mr. Carson, revealed that the series would contain more than one wedding, so could this be who he was referring to?
LADY EDITH
Lady Edith could also be who the remark refers to, having found romance herself. Viewers have seen her blossoming relationship with Bertie Pelham, but he still does not know about her secret child Marigold, and with Mary hot on her tail, could this throw a spanner in the works?
Some fans have even speculated whether there could be a dramatic return from Michael Gregson following his suspicious death – now that would be a heart-wrencher.
MRS PATMORE AND DAISY
Mrs Patmore has been a constant reassuring presence and fan favourite throughout the show, and it appears like her happy ending might be on its way. Having expressed her jealousy at Mr Carson and Mrs Hughes’ later-in-life love, there has been obvious hints to a potential suitor in Mr Mason, with Daisy doing her best to put-off the cook.
There has also been a little something brewing between Daisy and Andy, who is now training to become a farm hand on her and Mr Mason’s farm, so could it be a double-wedding and happy ever after, or is Daisy striving for greater things? And will her meddling stop Mrs Patmore and Mr Mason? I hope not. While it is perhaps the most forced tying-up of characters, it would be a heart-warming one.
ANNA AND MR BATES
Arguably the most tortured couple in TV history: they’ve been through it all. Rape, murder, prison, and now miscarriage; while Anna’s pregnancy appears to be going well, her struggle to get pregnant has been hard to watch. Surely, it’s time for a happy ending?
CARSON AND MRS HUGHES
Everyone’s favourite butler and housekeeper got their happy ending in episode three, but there’s already been trouble in paradise, as domestic bliss seems hard to find under Carson’s tough standards. Surely they will be left to enjoy their final years in peace now?
Carter revealed his last line in the final series – “It’s going to be a different life, but we’ll manage … together.” Very cryptic.
THE DOWAGER COUNTESS
Now meant to be 83, although Dame Maggie Smith claims it’s more like 110, the Dowager has been as lively and spectacularly cutting as ever. She has always had the best lines, but as the firm embodiment of the old and traditional Downton, could this be the end? Director, Lord Fellowes says not, much to the relief of fans, but what is to become of the Dowager?
If they really do lose Downton, I can only imagine her put-downs.
Carter told an audience at the Edinburgh TV festival the ending will be “really satisfying” but “you will need two hankies on Christmas night.” (No change from previous Christmas episodes then? #ripmatthew). “I am not going to give a spoiler but these characters, we say goodbye to them, but it is not final, we see them setting off on different paths.”
So in the meantime we’ll just have to sit and wait, and watch the BBC’s other attempts at period drama instead. Although Neame has announced that they are contemplating a Downton film, so it may not be the end just yet!