Yorkshire, England. 1912.
Our Downton Abbey journey begins shortly after the news of the Titanic tragedy reaches the shores of England. The Crawley family is comprised of intricate layers full of melodrama, romance, and intrigue as the characters explore the complexities of social dynamics in the post-Edwardian era. This show takes us through the daily rhythms of British aristocratic households: from the families of the elites, flush with wealth and drama, to the precarious daily life of the servants without whom nothing would be accomplished.
As the world changes around them, our characters develop new ways of viewing modernization which is reflected in the way they accept… or reject these new cultural shifts. The positional hierarchy in the Crawley family is mirrored in the structures of their household, revealing inheritance feuds and bringing forth secret grudges hidden away in the darkest corridors of the Crawley Manor. The beloved dowager, full of wit and character, Violet Crawley, will liven your screen with her snapping remarks. Timeless wisdom from the head butler, Mr. Carson, and his timeless love for the head housekeeper, Mrs. Hugh’s will bring a smile to your face even after the episode is done.
Downton Abbey premiered in September of 2010. Over the course of the series’ run, it received 69 Emmy award nominations and proceeded to win 15 of those categories. Additionally, members of the Downton Abbey cast have collected awards: Golden Globe, BAFTA, and Screen Actors Guild Awards.
So what’s next in the future of the Downton Abbey fandom? Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, a final chapter in the life of our beloved characters premiered in theatres on September 12 and is set to release soon for digital streaming. In this last leg of the journey with the Crawley family, Mary will take center stage as she handles both public scandal and financial insecurity. Familiar characters will bring us back home to the towering mansion as we say farewell to this nostalgic manor and the bustling family we’ve grown to love.
But while the journey might be over for our characters, we have the opportunity to live it again and again. Oh the joys of being a reader with a library card! Check out Downton Abbey from the Herrick District Library as well as similar recommendations.
In the words of dear Anna Bates to Mary Crawley, “Downton Abbey is the heart of this community. And you’re keeping it beating.”
Downton Abbey at the Herrick District Library:
Downton Abbey: the Motion Picture
Upstairs & Downstairs: An Illustrated Guide to the Real World of Downton Abbey
Similar Titles:
