Downton Abbey needs to be your next Droughtlander binge-watch
Are you ready for another Droughtlander suggestion? It’s time to binge-watch Downton Abbey.
The British series is an excellent option to add to your Droughtlander viewing list. There are plenty of seasons to work through. In fact, there are six seasons and a movie in total so far, and don’t rule out a future movie with the characters.
However, it’s more than just the fact that there are so many episodes to get through. It’s an excellent show overall.
What is Downton Abbey about?
If you watched Upstairs, Downstairs in the past, there will be some elements that feel similar. The series focuses on a stately home in the UK, following the lives of the owners of the home and the staff working there. We get to see the lives of both sides, both the highs and the lows.
It all picks up with the death of the heir to Downton Abbey. He dies at sea in the Titanic disaster, which leads to questions of who the next heir will be. That heir is someone who the Crawley family doesn’t really know. On top of that, it’s someone who most definitely does not have the aristocratic view of the world.
What change will this new heir bring? What does it mean for the daughters of the Lord Crawley, who aren’t able to just inherit the home because of their gender? It raises a lot of questions to kick off the series.
Love, money, and futures
Like any period drama, there is the talk of money. This is a series that focuses on one of England’s aristocratic families starting in 1912. There was a lot of change in the early 20th century, especially when it came to views about the upper class.
When Downton Abbey could be lost financially, the family needs to do everything possible to keep it. Is everyone willing to make sacrifices and change to achieve that?
Then there are the stories of love. There are certainly a few relationships you’ll find yourself rooting for, but my favorite was between Sybil Crawley and Tom Branston. They are from two extremely different backgrounds, but they’re able to complement each other. Without spoilers, do make sure you get the tissues ready for the two of them.
It’s not all about romantic relationships. One of my favorite bonds of all on the show is that between Violet Crawley and Isobel Crawley. The two of them are so different but come to rely on each other so much.
A few familiar faces
As you get through Downton Abbey, you’ll definitely recognize a few faces from Outlander. Two that stand out the most are Maria Doyle Kenned and Ed Speleers. They’re not necessarily in roles you’ll “like,” but they do offer an opportunity to see their acting skills.
There are other familiar faces from Game of Thrones, Knightfall, Lark Rise to Candleford, and many other period-set shows.
The cast is outstanding, especially Maggie Smith, who steals the show with ever scene she’s in. This was the start for some actors, including Michelle Dockerty, Laura Carmichael, and Lily James; making them household names. They certainly are bright stars to look out for in the future.
What are you watching to get through Droughtlander? What do you think of Downton Abbey? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Watch Downton Abbey with a 30-day free trial of Amazon Prime.