Over the course of the last few weeks, I watched the entire series and both subsequent movies again, but this time I watched them with my husband. Because of his job, he had never seen any of the episodes. Of course, he had heard of Downton Abbey, but didn't have the time to watch a series as it aired. Now, with the entire series available on Amazon Prime, we were able to watch the episodes back to back each night at whatever time we settled in to begin watching after dinner. Some nights, we would watch 2 episodes or part of the next episode just to see what happened next. I was surprised by how much I did not remember.
Being able to watch all 6 seasons at our convenience instead of being ruled by a specific airing date and time, was fabulous. It was also really nice to be able to replay a scene of the show to hear something that we didn't quite understand, or pause it as needed.
Currently, all 6 seasons of Downton Abbey are available free for Amazon Prime members. The two subsequent movies, Downton Abbey: The Motion Picture and Downton Abbey: A New Era are both available to rent. Since I owned the DVDs it wasn't necessary for us to rent them, but it is really nice to know we could have rented them if I had not been able to easily lay hands on the DVDs.
It is amazing how cohesive the series and movies are to each other. None of the actors were replaced or changed as is necessary in some series. The house seemed to stay exactly the same too, as if the family and servants continuously live there. That alone gives Downton Abbey a "real" feel, but the actors do such a great job of playing their roles, you actually believe they are real people and not just characters in a dramatization.
Downton Abbey fans await the release of the next movie, Downton Abbey 3, in Sept. 2025 and we have already been told our favorite characters will be played by the original actors. If you start watching the series now, you will be all caught up and familiar with the characters before the new movie is released.
Downton Abbey Series & Movies
Downton Abbey -On Amazon Prime VideoCheck PriceThis British historical TV drama started as a mini-series, but clearly fans could not get enough of Downton Abbey. The mini-series has been followed by 2 movies already and another is on the way.
The series revolves around the family of the Earl of Grantham, Robert Crawley (Hugh Bonneville). We meet the family, as well as the staff of Downton Abbey, in the first episode of 'season one' when a new heir is named after the sinking of the Titanic.
Robert Crawley knew the intended heir, his first cousin, James, all of his life but when James and his son, Patrick, died on the Titanic, an unknown third cousin once removed is next in line. No one ever expected both the heir and his son to die before Downton Abbey was passed to one of them. Viewers had never met either of those men, so it was easy for us to embrace Matthew Crawley as the heir apparent upon his arrival. He is such a unassuming individual and so easy to like that we rejoiced that he would be the next Earl of Grantham.
It seems unfair that all three of Robert Crawley's children would be passed over and displaced for a third cousin's son, but Robert's children are all females and the estate, as well as the title of Earl, are entailed to the next male heir.
The series does such a good job of developing each of the characters in the household, including the staff, that before the end of the first season, we feel they are part of our own family. There are some we don't especially like, but we love them regardless and realize the "family" would not be complete without them.
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If you have already watched the series, I would love to hear who you would name as your favorite character. If you have not watched it yet, please return and share you opinions after you watch the series.
![Masterpiece Classic: Downton Abbey Seasons 1-6 Complete Series Collection (Original U.K. Edition) [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61VVVihXx-L._SL500_.jpg)
![Downton Abbey (Movie, 2019) [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51YZ7C2GGKL._SL500_.jpg)
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Downton Abbey Series and Movies Reviewed by:
I remember my brother and sister-in-law were big fans of the Downton Abbey Series when it first came out. I will have to ask them if they watched the movies and let them know a third movie is coming out this Fall. I've actually never seen the series. Perhaps it is time to watch it, knowing that now all six seasons are available for viewing. :)
ReplyDeleteHaving all of the seasons and movies available to watch at your convenience is totally awesome! I had not realized how much I feel like I never saw by watching them weekly, each year as they aired. Makes me wonder if I missed a few episodes back then and just didn't remember it now.
DeleteI loved Downtown Abbey when it was originally on, along with the movies. It was so much fun to watch the family as the series progressed. I love it when you can watch I series all whenever you want. Thanks for the heads up that it is now on Prime. I will have to watch it again.
ReplyDeleteIt was definitely watching again, back to back, at your convenience. I was able to keep up with the story line better by not having them split into seasons.
DeleteWe adored watching Downton Abbey. I have to check to see whether we have watched the two movie sequels. If not, we will definitely rent them. Lady Violet is definitely my favorite character!
ReplyDeleteroflol Me too, Margaret! Wonder what that says about us :)
DeleteIsobel: “How you hate to be wrong.”
DeleteViolet: “I wouldn’t know, I’m not familiar with the sensation.”
Exactly! She had sooooo many great lines. I wish I had that quick wit for retorts.
DeleteThank you for your review, I have never actually seen Downtown Abbey, but your article has made me think I may well enjoy it! Good to know all six seasons are available free for Amazon Prime members! Thank you for your recommendation.
ReplyDeleteI do highly recommend the series and movies, Raintree Annie. I would love to hear your opinion when you watch them. I got really mad at one point and almost stopped watching it, but I did hang in there and I'm glad I did.
DeleteOh I'm a huge fan. I was late to the party, but I've watched every episode - I wish they would make more! I'm pretty sure I've seen both movies - I'll have to check - Would love to get lost in another season, or another movie of Downton Abbey. Maggie Smith was my fave character, RIP beautiful lady.
ReplyDeletelol, apparently we have a real Violet aka Maggie Smith fan club here among us. She is fabulous in everything I have ever seen her in, but she truly shines in Downton Abbey. I was glad that I watched the whole series again, this time back to back. Definitely worth the time even though I thought I knew the show well.
DeleteWe loved Downton Abbey and both of the movies. I didn't know there was another one coming in 2025!! Can't wait!! I don't know if I can pick a favorite character ,as I had so many throughout the series. One funny scene that I still remember was when the kitchen staff discovered the invention of the toaster.
ReplyDeletelol! You are so right. I had forgotten Mrs. Hughes' toaster experience until I re-watched the series recently. Leave it to you to recall the kitchen "challenges". btw, burning "bread" is the toaster is still a common occurrence in our home. Never can make those croissants heat in the toaster without getting a touch charred :)
DeleteMy mother and I watched Downton Abbey as well and loved the show. She had difficulty in the last few years to keep track of who, what and where things were happening and unfortunately it spoiled the show for me. Maybe it's time to take it up again. Thanks for reminding me of what I was missing.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like they had a well developed plot. I also like the idea of keeping the same characters in the movies as in the tv series.
ReplyDelete