Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale set out to deliver a majestic farewell to one of television’s most beloved sagas — yet early reactions hint at an ending few truly asked for. The film has all the trimmings: exquisite costumes, familiar charm, and the stately refinement fans adore. But beneath the polished veneer lies a sense of déjà vu. Critics say it leans too comfortably on nostalgia, revisiting old beats instead of forging new emotion. The Crawleys still dazzle, but the spark that once defined them flickers faintly here. For some, it’s a graceful bow; for others, a curtain call that came one story too late. Downton may have closed its doors — but not without debate.

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale is the ending fans didn’t really need

The final slice of upstairs/downstairs life is in cinemas next week.

Back in 2022, Downton Abbey: A New Era felt like a suitable ending for the story of the Crawley family that first began on ITV in 2010.

All the characters had reasonably settled lives, and the movie ended with poignant finality following the death of feisty matriarch Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham, the final scene focusing on a new portrait of her looming large in the stately home’s entry hall.

We’re sure the Dowager Countess, and perhaps the late Dame Maggie Smith herself, would have something caustic to say about the fact that A New Era wasn’t the end at all. Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale has picked up the story of the Crawleys and their servants two years later in 1930.

While a sequel certainly doesn’t feel necessary, fans will at least be pleased that there have been some changes to their favourite characters’ lives as the movie begins.

Below stairs, butler Mr Carson (Jim Carter) is about to retire and hand over the reins to Andy Parker (Michael Fox), while Andy’s wife Daisy (Sophie McShera) is to take over the role of head cook from Mrs Patmore (Lesley Nicol).

Anna and Mr Bates are expecting another baby – although since their first child is barely seen or mentioned, you do wonder whether they will notice – and lady’s maid Phyllis Baxter is finding her patience continually tested by husband Mr Molesley, who is more insufferable than ever now he believes he is a Hollywood screenwriter after helping out on the production that took over Downton in the previous movie.

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale opens with the star of that movie, Guy Dexter (Dominic West), on stage in a Noel Coward play in London with some of the Crawley family in attendance. They are invited back stage to see him and former Downton butler Thomas Barrow (Robert James-Collier), who is now Guy’s housekeeper, dresser and secret lover.

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That’s all rather lovely, but things quickly take a turn when it is revealed that Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) is getting a divorce from second husband Henry, a scandal that could lead to social disgrace for the entire Crawley clan.

To make matters worse, Lady Grantham’s financially-hampered brother Harold (Paul Giamatti) is in England with a dashing businessman named Gus (Alessandro Nivola) by his side.

What happens next won’t surprise anyone, but writer Julian Fellowes skilfully pads out a thin and obvious plot with all the upstairs/downstairs elements Downton fans expect, from a glamorous society event and day at the races to a local country fair and a comeuppance for one of the movie’s snootier characters.

There’s some wit, too, with Laura Carmichael as Lady Edith delivering a one-liner the Dowager Countess would be proud of in reference to Mary’s latest liaison. A conversation between Mrs Hughes (Phyllis Logan) and Mrs Patmore, meanwhile, is both funny and awful at the same time as Mrs Hughes shares that her sex life with Mr Carson is “fun”, something we’re not sure poor Mrs Patmore or anyone else needed to know.

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However, with such a large cast, some characters are unfortunately wasted this time around.

Joely Richardson has a fleeting appearance as society doyenne Lady Petersfield, fan favourite Tom Branson (Allen Leech) only pops up to facilitate a plot twist and Noel Coward himself (played by Arty Froushan) is used as a device to speed us to a happy ending.

At least there is a sense throughout that everyone’s story will be tied up in a neat little bow before a final scene that succeeds in being both a sad and sweet farewell. It may have taken two forgettable hours to get there, but if this really is a final goodbye to Downton Abbey, at least it is a warm one.