Episode #1.1 (9 Jan. 2011)

April 1912:- The heir to the title of Earl of Grantham, long time inhabitant of Downton Abbey, perishes on the 'Titanic'. Robert, the benevolent current earl, owes his wealth to his ... See full summary »

Director:

Brian Percival

Writers:

Julian Fellowes, Julian Fellowes (creator)

Stars:

Hugh Bonneville, Jessica Brown Findlay, Laura Carmichael

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Hugh Bonneville	...	Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham
Jessica Brown Findlay	...	Lady Sybil Crawley
Laura Carmichael	...	Lady Edith Crawley
Jim Carter	...	Mr. Carson
Brendan Coyle	...	John Bates
Michelle Dockery	...	Lady Mary Crawley
Siobhan Finneran	...	Sarah O'Brien
Joanne Froggatt	...	Anna Smith
Thomas Howes	...	William Mason
Rob James-Collier	...	Thomas Barrow
Rose Leslie	...	Gwen Dawson
Phyllis Logan	...	Mrs. Hughes
Elizabeth McGovern	...	Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham
Sophie McShera	...	Daisy Robinson
Lesley Nicol	...	Mrs. Patmore

Storyline

April 1912:- The heir to the title of Earl of Grantham, long time inhabitant of Downton Abbey, perishes on the 'Titanic'. Robert, the benevolent current earl, owes his wealth to his American wife Cora but they have only three daughters, who cannot inherit by law, so another heir must be found by marrying off Mary, the eldest girl. The Duke of Crowborough is a possibility but he is a closet gay who only has eyes for Thomas, the handsome but obnoxious footman, and soon departs. Robert's mother, the dowager, and Cora decide that the next best candidate is Matthew Crawley, a distant cousin, but Cora knows that the spirited Mary will not be happy with their choice. Downstairs there is also unrest as Thomas is passed over for promotion to valet in favour of Robert's batman from the Boer War, John Bates, who now limps due to a war wound. Along with Cora's maid Miss O'Brien, Thomas schemes to discredit Bates in the eyes of butler Carson and forces his resignation but Robert intervenes and ...

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Plot Keywords:

heir | titanic | duke | cane | limp | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 January 2011 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Ealing Studios, Ealing, London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Carnival Films, Masterpiece

Technical Specs

Runtime:

66 min 65 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

16:9 HD

Did You Know?

Goofs

Early in Season 1, there was at least 1 reference to Lord Grantham's dog being male. However, by Season 2, the dog's appearance has changed a bit (smaller, and more yellow), and is now female.

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Quotes

Lady Edith Crawley: So he slipped the hook.
Lady Mary Crawley: At least I'm not fishing with no bait.

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Connections

References Upstairs, Downstairs: A Suitable Marriage (1971)

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Soundtracks

"Opening Theme (From Downton Abbey)"
(uncredited)
Written by John Lunn
Performed by The Chamber Orchestra of London

User Reviews

Brilliant!

A terrific drama that explores the different and difficult relationships between the servants and the upper-classes. Julian takes care to make sure that the servants have just as an important part as their masters and balances it beautifully! There's treachery, love, and plenty more to look forward to. Julian shows us that there is more to a stately home than meets the eye, and pays careful attention to show that what you see on the outside is not necessarily what you get on the inside. There's plenty of conniving going on between Miss O'Brian and footman Thomas to make sure that you are never bored for a single second. So tear yourself away from the day to day life of the twenty-first century and plunge into the early twentieth, I promise you, you won't regret it!!!!!!