Say cheerio to all the upstairs and downstairs drama on megahit Downton Abbey, as the show will conclude after its upcoming sixth season. Producer Carnival Films made the announcement official today, saying they wanted to "close the doors of Downton Abbey when it felt right and natural for the storylines to come together and when the show was still being enjoyed so much by its fans." At least Carson and Mrs. Hughes ended up together before the end!
Downton Abbey executive producer Gareth Neame announced that the beloved period show about an aristocratic British family and their servants would end after the sixth season. Neame said, "Millions of people around the world have followed the journey of the Crawley family and those who serve them for the last five years. Inevitably there comes a time when all shows should end and ‘Downton’ is no exception. We wanted to close the doors of ‘Downton Abbey’ when it felt right and natural for the storylines to come together and when the show was still being enjoyed so much by its fans. We can promise a final season full of all the usual drama and intrigue, but with the added excitement of discovering how and where they all end up."
And creator Julian Fellowes said, "The Downton journey has been amazing for everyone aboard. People ask if we knew what was going to happen when we started to make the first series and the answer is that, of course we had no idea... Exactly why the series had such an impact and reached so many people around the world, all nationalities, all ages, all types, I cannot begin to explain. But I do know how grateful we are to have been allowed this unique experience."
There'd been rumors that withering one-liner Maggie Smith would be finishing her role as the Dowager Countess after this forthcoming season, leading many (like this writer) to live in fear of a Dowager death scene—though she would have been spectacular in her throes. To be sure, that could still happen—they killed off the dog after all! And let's be real: the show was never the same after the untimely demise of cousin Matthew.
So what loose ends should wrap up in season six? Well, there's the whole Anna-Bates murder debacle; poor Edith and the fate of her progeny; Daisy and her growing educational interests; and of course, will dour Mary ever find someone to put up with her snobbery?
