No, you do not need to have watched the show to watch the Downton Abbey movie. The movie is a stand-alone story that can be enjoyed by everyone. The movie focuses on the Crawley family and their servants, who are in the midst of a crisis when their beloved home, Downton Abbey, faces a dire threat.
The movie follows the journey of the Crawley family as they try to save their beloved home while preparing for a royal visit from the King and Queen. Although it helps to have watched the show to understand the relationships and characters, it is not necessary to have watched the show in order to enjoy the movie.
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Is Downton Abbey movie connected to the series?
Yes, the Downton Abbey movie is connected to the series, as it continues the story of the Crawley family and their servants. Set in the year 1927, about 18 months after the end of the original series, the movie depicts the Crawleys preparing for a visit from the King and Queen of England.
With new characters entering the story and the usual tension, drama, and romance, the movie is an extension of the beloved series. Fans of the show can expect to see the characters they’ve grown to love as they experience a new array of challenges and adventures.
Does Downton Abbey movie stand alone?
Yes, the Downton Abbey movie stands alone. Set in 1927, a full year after the series finale aired in December 2015, the movie finds our beloved Crawley family and their servants celebrating the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to the estate.
Although fans of the series may have noticed some ties to seasons past, it really is its own distinct story. The main plot involves the Downton family and staff preparing for the King and Queen’s grand arrival, as well as the return of a former love interest for both Lady Mary and Lady Edith.
As with so many of Julian Fellowes’ stories, the movie is filled with unexpected twists and turns, as well as plenty of heart and romance. While it certainly rewards longtime fans, this delightfully entertaining movie stands very much on its own.
What should I watch before the new Downton Abbey movie?
Before watching the new Downton Abbey movie, you should watch the original series. Downton Abbey first aired in the UK in 2010 and ran for six series and a Christmas special before ending in 2015. The show follows the lives of the Crawley family and their servants during early twentieth century British aristocracy.
The series should be watched in its entirety in order to have the background and backstory necessary to follow the movie. This involves watching all six seasons, which are available on streaming services such as Amazon Prime and Britbox.
If you already have a good handle on the characters, their relationships, and the story, you may want to re-watch only key episodes. This could include the pilot episode of season one, which sets up the series’ dynamics, and the season six finale, which provides resolution for characters.
It is also helpful to watch the cast special for season one and the two-hour Christmas special of season three.
Don’t forget to watch the two-hour Downton Abbey movie before seeing the new film. The movie serves as the continuation of the show, and follows the original cast as they gather at the end of 1927 for a special event.
So before watching the new Downton Abbey movie, make sure to either watch the series in its entirety, or the key episodes and specials which will provide key information and context to make the most out of the new film.
Do I have to watch Downton Abbey before the Gilded Age?
No, you do not have to watch Downton Abbey before watching The Gilded Age. Even though both shows are period dramas set in the early 1900s, they are not connected in any way and it is not necessary to watch Downton Abbey before watching The Gilded Age.
The Gilded Age is its own distinct story, and many viewers who have not seen Downton Abbey enjoy The Gilded Age just as much as they would if they had seen the other show. Each series has a unique plot line, and watching one of these series will not give you spoilers for the other.
It is ultimately up to you whether you want to watch Downton Abbey before The Gilded Age, but it is not required in order to enjoy the latter show.
Why is Lady Mary’s husband not in the Downton Abbey movie?
Lady Mary’s husband, Matthew Crawley, tragically died in a car accident in the series finale of Downton Abbey. Matthew was played by actor Dan Stevens and was a central character in the show, so his absence from the Downton Abbey movie is certainly noticeable.
While the film does little to address why Matthew is not present, this is likely because it would have been incredibly difficult to do justice to his death and his importance to the show with such a limited running time.
Though it is never explicitly stated, a possible reason why the producers chose not to include Matthew in the movie is to focus on showcasing the younger, present-day characters. The film centers around Mary, her three daughters, and the other, current members of the Crawley family.
Without Matthew, the narrative can turn its attention to the attempts of Mary, Lady Edith, and Lady Sybil’s heirs to inherit the estate and how their dynamics evolve over the course of the film. As the film’s main characters, their developments and relationships take precedence, making it difficult to probe into the what and why of Matthew’s absence.
Is there a movie before Downton Abbey: A New Era?
No, Downton Abbey: A New Era is the prequel movie to the first Downton Abbey movie that released in 2019. It follows the plot of the hit show that aired from 2010-2015 and brings back all the beloved characters from the original show.
While the movie doesn’t follow any of the show’s original cast, the movie comes together with some of the biggest stars like Maggie Smith, Hugh Bonneville, Laura Carmichael, and Michelle Dockery and depicts the events leading to their involvement in the show.
The movie is directed by Michael Engler who has an impressive track record of great British TV series and movies, such as Little Dorrit and Episodes.
Will Downton Abbey: A New Era become a series?
At this time, there are no plans for Downton Abbey: A New Era to become a series. Downton Abbey: A New Era was a one-off movie that was released on December 22, 2020, and is part of the Downton Abbey franchise.
The movie is set four years after the series finale and focuses on the Crawley family as they welcome King George V and Queen Mary to Downton Abbey. While fans hoped for a new series to be created, it doesn’t seem like this will be the case.
However, the cast and crew of the movie have hinted that there could be potential for a new movie, though not a new series. Until further announcements are made, it looks like Downton Abbey: A New Era stands as a standalone movie.
