Synopsis: The series, set in the fictional Yorkshire country estate of Downton Abbey between 1912 and 1926, depicts the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family and their domestic servants in the post-Edwardian era—with the great events in history having an effect on their lives and on the British social hierarchy. Cast: Tuppence Middleton, Matthew Goode, Michelle Dockery. Director: Michael Engler Produced By: Carnival Film & Television, Focus Features, Perfect World Pictures.
It focuses on the lives of the Crawley family and the servants on the estate until August of 1914, with the declaration of the First World War. Two of the main storylines are who will inherit Downton after the current Lord Grantham Robert Crawley, and Lady Mary Crawley and her desire to find a suitable husband.
The second series of the British historical period drama television series Downton Abbey aired from 18 September 2011 to 6 November 2011, comprising a total of 8 episodes and one Christmas Special episode aired on 25 December 2011.
It is a time of tremendous change in 1920, but for the Crawley family, it might be the end following a bad investment which results in a tremendous loss of money. This series marks the first appearance of a number of Crawley relatives: Hugh MacClare, Marquess of Flintshire, his wife Susan, and daughter Rose; and most notably, Cora's mother Martha Levinson. There are tense rivalries and romances below stairs with a number of new members of staff: footmen Alfred Nugent and Jimmy Kent and maids Ivy Stuart and Edna Braithwaite. Former maid Ethel Parks and her son have fallen on hard times, while Anna Bates is determined to find evidence to free her incarcerated husband, John. Lady Mary Crawley and Matthew finally marry. The growing unrest in Ireland will also affect the Crawley family, as Lady Sybil Branson returns with her political husband Tom, where she will deliver her first child; a daughter.
t is nearly six months after the death of Matthew Crawley and Mary is adjusting to her new life and attempting to move on without the man she loved and raise her son, George. She has two new suitors: Anthony, Lord Gillingham - who has known her since childhood but hasn't seen her since - and aristocrat Charles Blake. Tom Branson is taking on a larger role within the family, having become Robert's right-hand-man. He also meets a new friend in schoolteacher, Sarah Bunting. Tom and Mary spend more time together and their friendship continues to develop as Mary begins to get involved in the running of the estate. There is some excitement in the nursery involving Nanny West. Edith's relationship with Michael Gregson flourishes. John and Anna Bates' relationship continues as strong as ever, but not without some ups and downs. Cora's new maid Baxter has a past with Thomas Barrow who has some sort of power over her
Covering the months from February to December 1924, Series five will continue some of the storylines established in series four, including Mary Crawley’s relationship with Anthony Foyle and Charles Blake, Tom Branson’s flirtation with Sarah Bunting, Edith Crawley’s pregnancy, and will explore the aftermath of Rose MacClare’s broken engagement with Jack Ross.
Mary starts spending more time with Henry Talbot but is unsure as to her true romantic feelings for him; Tom is certain that she does indeed love him. Edith starts going off to London more frequently to develop her publishing company and ends up hiring a woman for her editor. She also renews her friendship with Bertie Pelham, the agent at Brancaster Castle, and start a romance together. Meanwhile, Anna and Bates are having complications of their own; Anna having suffered two miscarriages and afraid that she cannot bear children. Wanting to help, Mary has her see Dr Ryder who diagnoses her condition as "cervical incompetence" which can be treated with a stitch.
