Have you yet to explore the captivating world of Downton Abbey? If not, you’re truly missing out on this wonderfully elitist television masterpiece!
The beloved series impressed audiences over six seasons, featuring two special Christmas episodes as well. Following its success, two feature films graced the big screen in 2019 and 2022. The show boasts a stellar cast, including the esteemed Dame Maggie Smith, Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, Brendan Coyle, Jim Carter, Michelle Dockery, and Siobhan Finneran.
Continue reading to find out our comprehensive ranking of every Downton Abbey season, from the least impressive (yet still remarkable!) to the most exceptional.
Season 4 (2013)
For a good number of fans, the fourth season felt somewhat like filler content for the series. Following Matthew’s (Dan Stevens) shocking demise in the Season 3 finale, Lady Mary (Dockery) discovers that his passing has temporarily relieved their financial struggles along with those of Downton Abbey. As she navigates motherhood with their infant son, she finds herself rejecting numerous romantic advances, creating a rather somber narrative. On an equally tragic note, Lady Edith (Laura Carmichael) becomes entangled in a doomed relationship with a married man, resulting in an unacknowledged child whom she later hides away to be reared by a domestic worker. Meanwhile, in the servants’ quarters, Anna (Joanne Froggatt) endures a horrific assault, and Bates (Coyle) finds himself wrongfully accused of murder once again.
Season 6 (2015)
Nonetheless, many viewers felt this season was hasty. Both Mary and Edith embrace their roles as working mothers, with Mary overseeing daily operations at Downton while Edith takes charge at a magazine. Lady Rose (Lily James) departs for New York with her husband, Tom Branson (Allen Leech) heads to Boston, and Anna faces serious legal troubles. This season marks a bittersweet farewell to familiar characters we’ve grown to cherish.
Season 5 (2014)
Season 5 of Downton Abbey exudes the essence of a classic soap opera, but any interaction with these characters proves worthwhile. Robert (Bonneville), Mary, and Branson find themselves collaboratively managing Downton. Yet, Branson questions whether he is destined for greater aspirations. Mary discovers she is ready for love once more, while Edith grapples with the heart-wrenching decision to give up her daughter. Soon, Violet (Dame Maggie Smith) learns of Marigold’s existence, and it becomes only a matter of time before this little girl is brought into the grand estate. Meanwhile, the household staff express concerns about the future of the manor as well.
Season 3 (2012)
Fair warning: you’ll need an ample supply of tissues for Season 3 of Downton Abbey. Seriously, all of them.
The estate transforms into a recovery home for injured soldiers at the conclusion of World War I. Sybil embraces the role of a nurse to contribute to the war effort, and Mary finally marries Matthew. Meanwhile, Robert observes the tragic decline of England’s grand estates as they fail to adapt to modern times. The unthinkable occurs when Sybil, the most beloved member of the Crawley family, dies during childbirth. Just as we start to process that heartbreak, tragedy strikes again as Matthew dies in a car accident, leaving the season in a state of suspense.
Season 1 (2010)
The inaugural season of Downton Abbey is what captured our hearts, solidifying its esteemed place in our rankings. This season introduces us to each member of the Crawley family and the dedicated staff who support their lifestyle. With the sinking of the Titanic in 1912, financial and inheritance issues emerge, leading Robert to worry that their estate will fall into the hands of a distant relative, all while the shadow of World War I looms over them.
Season 2 (2011)
The second season of Downton Abbey received immense acclaim from both fans and critics, deemed nearly flawless from beginning to end. The estate grapples with the challenges of sustaining operations amid World War I, while Matthew returns home paralyzed. He gets engaged to Lavinia (Zoe Boyle), but after her tragic death from Spanish Flu, he rekindles his romance with Mary. Brimming with themes of betrayal, blackmail, and desire, this season exemplifies one of the finest soap operas that one can’t help but adore.
You can currently binge-watch all seasons of Downton Abbey on Amazon Prime.
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