Downton Abbey has been a beloved franchise since it premiered in 2010, spawning six seasons, five Christmas specials and a movie trilogy. One great — and possibly too rarely used — way to pay homage to such a phenomenon is to parody it, and that’s the treatment Fackham Hall is giving the British period drama. The spoof hit the 2025 movie calendar this weekend with a brand of humor that’s lifting the spirits of many critics, while inspiring little more than a light chuckle from others.

Fackham Hall features the charming pickpocket Eric Noone (Ben Radcliffe) accidentally landing a job at the titular English manor. From there, Noone climbs the ranks and becomes involved with the lady of the house, Rose Davenport (Thomasin McKenzie). However, when murder strikes the manor, Eric is framed, throwing the house into chaos. Elaina Patton of IndieWire rates the film a B, writing that it’s filled with non-stop gags, from puns to wordplay to slapstick stunts, but still packs in plenty of plot. Patton writes:

Pete Hammond of Deadline agrees that director Jim O'Hanlon and the writers have managed to include a story that gives structure to its “fair share of LOL moments.” There are more hits than misses in this “genuinely guffaw-inducing comedy,” Hammond says, writing:

Patrick Gibbs of SLUG Mag says Fackham Hall is an even bigger surprise than the well-reviewed The Naked Gun reboot, with plenty of hilarious gags and a “commitment to fun above all else” that the critic finds thoroughly infectious. Gibbs continues:

Owen Gleiberman of Variety says the movie is “amusing enough” but it never shocks you into riotous laughter. The critic notes that even when Fackham Hall is trying to be obscene, the jokes land too softly. Gleiberman writes:

Nell Minow of RogerEbert.com falls right in the middle of the Fackham Hall reviews, giving the movie 2 stars out of 4. The secret to the really great parody movie is truly loving whatever it is you’re making fun of, Minow writes, but these jokes don’t land with the strength the writers would have wanted. According to the critic:

Despite falling flat for a few of the critics, Fackham Hall has gotten a primarily positive response, drawing 86% from 28 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. The audience score lines up so far with 82%. The film opened in U.S. theaters on Friday, December 5. So, if this sounds like a spoof movie you don’t want to miss, check your local listings.

This year, we’ve gotten the well-reviewed Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale and the reboot of The Naked Gun. Then, after those, we got the best of both worlds with the period spoof movie, Fackham Hall. Now, this new comedy has some pretty clear (and very funny) parallels to Downton Abbey. So, when I spoke with the director, I asked him how they paid tribute to the beloved Julian Fellowes series (and I didn't see his responses coming).

When I interviewed Fackham Hall’s director Jim O’Hanlon, I knew I had to ask about Downton Abbey parallels. He noted a whole bunch of them, too. Making it very clear to me that this great parody movie was made out of love for period dramas, he detailed a few spoof gags that also “take the mickey out of” the genre. For example, the deafening loud cutlery in the dining room that makes it hard to hear anyone talking is a play on the “awkward silence” that always happens during dinner scenes.

Getting Downton specific, O’Hanlon told me about something that happens downstairs that was an obvious homage to the series:

I won’t spoil the joke for you either, but just know that this play on chopping herbs really is hilarious.

Moving on, O’Hanlon noted that the musical moment in Fackham Hall is an homage to scenes from Downton Abbey, where a “distinguished guest” comes to play the piano for everyone. It also pretty clearly parallels a scene in Grand Finale where Noël Coward entertains the guests. However, in this comedy, instead of a lovely little melody, it’s actually an incredibly crude tune about genitals. So, again, they brilliantly turned a trope from these period dramas into something super silly.

Later in our conversation, I asked O’Hanlon about his comedic references for this movie as well. And while discussing how Monty Python and The Naked Gun – which was rebooted on the 2025 movie schedule and can be streamed with a Paramount+ subscription – inspired him, he explained how, in his own spoof comedy, A Touch of Cloth, played on the fact that there are typically always jokes buried in the background of shots. So, they did that in Fackham Hall; however, it’s not just a nod to other spoofs, it’s also a Downton Abbey Easter egg, as he said:

The director went on to tell me that he hopes moments like these jump out to audiences as they continue to view the movie. While Easter eggs like this will “ping out” on the big screen to some, there are so many silly jokes and gags in this movie that you can’t catch them all.

So, viewers will be rewarded on a second viewing, because they’ll be able to pick up on even more bits and references to things like Downton Abbey. Now, to go and see all these moments for yourself, you can catch Fackham Hall in theaters now.

Warning: SPOILERS for Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale are ahead!

The Downton Abbey TV series ended in 2015 after six seasons, but fans continued to spend time with the Crawley family and their staff for three theatrical movies. Now, with Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale’s release on the 2025 movies schedule, it looks like this historical drama has finally come to a close… right? Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes addressed one way this franchise could possibly come back, as well as why it never delved into World War II.

Why Downton Abbey Skipped World War II

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale takes place in 1930, just one year after the Wall Street Crash and 18 years after the sinking of the Titanic, when we met these characters. In an interview with THR, Julian Fellowes said that he always knew this saga was going to end with Mary Talbot taking over the Downton estate and her parents, Robert and Cora, moving into the house where the late Violet Grantham once lived. Fellowes knew he didn’t want to go any further than that, saying:

Although the Downton Abbey TV series took place across 13 years, I agree with Fellowes that making the jump to 1939, when World War II began, would have been too much of a stretch. It’s one thing to cover so many years when you’re making seasons comprised of seven or eight episodes that are an hour each, it’s another thing to cover such a large amount of time over just a few movies that run approximately two hours. Had two or three more Downton Abbey movies been made, maybe hitting the late 1930s or early 1940s could have been accomplished, but fans will just have to make do with the series covering World War I.

How Julian Fellowes Thinks Downton Abbey Could Return

Even with this latest movie being called The Grand Finale, there are questions about if Downton Abbey could continue/return someday. While Julian Fellowes has said multiple times that this will be the last time we see this generation of characters, he mentioned in a separate interview with EW he’s open to the possibility of revisit the property through a different lens. In his words:

One possibility is going backwards in time to see how the Downton estate was run in the late 1800s or even further back. However, this may overlap too much with what Fellowes is doing with HBO’s The Gilded Age, and Fellowes has acknowledged that a crossover between the two properties could work. The other option is jumping ahead several decades and seeing what’s going on at Downton in the 1960s or 1970s. This would allow for us to spend time with the now-adult-aged children of characters like Mary and Edith.

For now, the book is closed on Downton Abbey, but obviously if that changes in the coming years, we’ll let you know. While The Grand Finale continues its theatrical run, the TV series and first two movies can be streamed with a Peacock subscription.

Popular HBO shows get the world talking, and Julian Fellowes' The Gilded Age is no exception. Not one to be left out, I recently binge watched all three seasons through the use of my HBO Max subscription. And while I try to patiently wait for the fourth season, I'm really hoping that we get to see more of Gladys at the height of her power. I mean, am I wrong here?

What we know about The Gilded Age Season 4 is very limited, although fans are eager to follow up on a number of the show's characters and plot lines. While fans want to know if Bertha and George Russell's marriage will ever recover, I'm just hoping that we get to see more of Gladys thriving as the Duchess of Buckingham. Because seeing just a taste of it in the last season of the Emmy-nominated show just wasn't enough.

I Need Gladys To Stand In Her Power In Season 4

Throughout much of Season 3, Gladys was lamenting her mother's plans to marry her to the Duke. Eventually she relented, and moved across the pond with her new husband. While originally struggling to adjust to British Society, and particularly to her sister-in-law, Lady Sarah Vere.

That changed in "If You Want to Cook an Omelette." Prior to John Adams getting hit by a carriage, we saw Bertha helping to coach her daughter into using her new title and taking control of her new household. She politely tells off Sarah, showing what she's learned from years of watching her mother climb the ranks of New York Society. This was one of the most satisfying moments in Season 3, and a color on Gladys that I think we need to see more of.

The Season 3 finale revealed that Gladys was pregnant, which is a new fold that could give her even more power and influence over Sidmouth Castle. Hopefully that means we get to watch Taissa Farmiga flex those muscles again and become the influential world figure her mother wants her to be.

Fans Think Gladys Is The Key To A Downton Crossover

Since Gladys is now part of British High Society, the calls for a Gilded Age/Downtown Abbey crossover are louder than ever. Aside from her finally being on the right continent, Violet's age could open up a connection to Maggie Smith's Violet Crawley.

CinemaBlend's own Rachel Rosenfeld spoke to Julian Fellowes himself at the press junket for Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, where he brought up the timing of a possible crossover. In his words:

There you have it. While now we understand how the timing of a crossover between Fellowes' two shows might work, it doesn't sound like the legendary TV creator is trying to actually make it happen. Still, I have a feeling that won't stop fans from campaigning to see these two worlds collide.

Regardless of whether or not we see a crossover, I do think that Gladys is the key to more epic storytelling as we get deeper into The Gilded Age. I'm ready to see her at the height of her power, and a fully grown and independent woman.

The Gilded Age can be streamed in its entirety on HBO Max, thanks to Season 3 arriving on the 2025 TV schedule. It's currently unclear when Season 4 might arrive, as production has not yet begun. Let's hope that filming begins sooner rather than later so we can return to this fascinating story.

Television is a popular pastime, to say the least, and there are more options than ever in the 2025 TV schedule thanks to traditional network offerings, premium cable shows, and a seemingly constant resupply of series on streaming platforms. While there are some projects that won over a lot of fans during their time releasing new episodes, others have fans who wish that they'd jumped ship a lot sooner than they did. As a TV completionist who often sticks with shows to the bitter end, I have to say: I relate with some of the most popular picks and have.

TV moments that made viewers want to instantly quit became a popular topic of conversation on Reddit recently, and I was quite unsurprised by some of the shows that were mentioned over and over and over again. Some were a little bit more surprising, but lots of valid points are named.

The Walking Dead seemed to be the most popular answer, with many citing Glenn's brutal murder, Glenn's fake-out death shortly before he was murdered, Beth's nonsensical end, Carl getting bit by a zombie, and Negan never dying as the reasons why they quit. I can relate – Beth was the first strike for me back in the day, followed by Glenn diving under a dumpster, and I probably should have quit before I got to Glenn meeting Negan (and Lucille).

Many people brought up Bobby's death on 9-1-1, which was one of the most recent moments to have people rage-quitting and then ranting about it on Reddit. Killing off Peter Krause's leading man was definitely a shocking choice from the show back in the spring. Others channeled their rage from Bones, starring Emily Deschanel and David Boreanaz from 2005 - 2017. The handling of their relationship in the final seasons had some detractors, while others brought up that tragic twist for Sweets, played by John Francis Daley.

I related hard to people who mentioned Downton Abbey, because I vividly remember seeing Matthew's death in a Christmas special and then not wanting to watch ever again. Not even for Dame Maggie Smith's one-liners! The 100 got more mentions than I expected for a show that aired on The CW, with commenters citing Lexa's demise. If I'd quit when that happened, I could have spared myself from seeing Bellamy's ridiculous ending.

Orange is the New Black was mentioned for how Poussey was heartbreakingly killed, as were many of the wildest Grey's Anatomy twists from the past two decades. (Special shout out from me to how the medical drama wrote out Alex Karev.) Arrow was chosen for that time that Felicity very suddenly regained the ability to walk and then immediately walked out on Oliver.

Game of Thrones viewers had no shortage of moments from the final couple of seasons to choose from. Personally, I was already much too far in to quit by those last couple of seasons, but the closest I ever came to giving up on Game of Thrones was when Sansa was married to and then brutally assaulted by Ramsay in Season 5. A lot of people mentioned The Last of Us Season 2 for killing Joel, which was surely a massive surprise for anybody who hadn't played the video games or been thoroughly spoiled on his death like I was.

Other shows that got special attention include Prison Break, Dexter, Sons of Anarchy, The League, and For All Mankind. On the plus side, reading about all the terrible twists that turned viewers off of certain shows gives me a new appreciation for some of the shows that I stuck with and definitely don't regret. (That's doesn't mean I'll ever rewatch The Walking Dead past Season 4, though.)

Even some of the series that were most frequently mentioned by commenters were excellent up to a certain point, and many can be found on various streaming services for anybody who wants to give them another chance... or just rewatch your favorite episodes while pretending that certain moments never happen.

In Downton Abbey, there is no shortage of games played during scenes. We've seen Lord Grantham get swindled by the card-sharp Terence Sampson in poker, Daisy observe a game of planchette (Ouija) to help foresee her future, and upstairs, Lady Mary partake in a lively game of charades. Even in Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, which recently premiered on the 2025 movie schedule, there is horse race betting and a county fair. So, I suppose it should come as no surprise the cast is as immersed in game-play as their character counterparts.

I had a chance to sit down with the cast of Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, I asked them about a game they notoriously played with Maggie Smith during the era she was still filming called ‘Wink Murder’. When I asked, Kevin Doyle and Allen Leech confirmed the game was afoot while filming actual scenes throughout the course of the long-running franchise:

• Doyle: But the wink murder was great fun.
• Leech: Wink murder was great fun.

Still, it begs the question: What exactly is 'Wink Murder'?

Downton Abbey's ‘Wink Murder,' Explained

OK so, now that we've established the cast was (at least sometimes) literally playing a game while filming Downton Abbey scenes, I needed to know what the heck was up with the rules. Luckily for me, Hugh Bonneville jumped in without me having to ask them to explain how the game works, and it started with a little organization.

‘Wink Murder in the dining room’ sounds like an Agatha Christie novel; maybe it could be the next Detective Poirot title. Without all the details, I am guessing the number of bits of paper that were put into the pot was the number of people playing the game. Allen Leech went on to explain…

It sounds wild. I can only imagine Maggie Smith being winked at from off-screen and dramatically flopping back in her seat. I do not know how often they played this, or how visceral the "dying" became, but I'd imagine that when they did, it would have rivaled Smith’s favorite day on set. I am curious if any of the ‘deaths’ were caught on camera and made it into the final edits, as well. Now, I feel like I need to re-watch just to see if I can catch 'Wink Murder' in action.

(Also, I know that Lord Grantham’s spitting up blood from a burst ulcer in Season 6, Episode 5, was probably the most dramatic dining room scene, and it's fun to think that maybe he was winked at right before the take.)

Even though we won’t be able to see Maggie Smith sitting at the dining room table at Downton in Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, as she sadly died last September, we will see the rest of the Crawley family. The new movie's in theaters now, so make sure to read our Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale review and see if you can catch any ‘Wink Murder’ deaths on-screen while watching the film.

After spending over 15 years within the walls of Downton Abbey and adoring each barb, aside and snide remark from Dame Maggie Smith as the legendary Dowager Countess, I have been reflecting on my own personal favorite moments. With the final installment of this beloved franchise, titled Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, premiering on the 2025 movie schedule, I had to ask the cast what some of their favorite moments were.

What The Downton Abbey Cast Said About Maggie Smith

They all mentioned some of the greats, the swivel chair being among them. But Laura Carmichael told me about one she finds hilarious, and now I am going on the hunt for this new BTS Easter Egg…

Most of the time when I am watching Downton Abbey, I am focused on the sassy insults and forget to look at the other actors in the scene. But now I am so excited to go back to Season 5 and see if I can catch Carmichael break character. I imagine that this is not the only time one of the actors broke, and I wonder how many other BTS easter eggs are out there, just like this one.

I do not know if the telephone scene will replace one of my personal favorites but it also includes Lady Edith from Season 2, Episode 8. Lady Edith is worried that she will never marry and become a "maiden aunt," to which the Dowager replies, “Don’t be defeatist, dear. It’s very middle class.” I went back and watched this scene, and they cut back to Edith after and we see a smirk cross her face. Which makes me think that perhaps Carmichael broke once again, but who could blame her? It's hilarious.

Julian Fellowes Also Weighed In On Maggie Smith

I also was able to ask Julian Fellowes what one of his favorite moments was, and I forgot about it until he brought it up, but it is iconic…

Fellowes hit the nail on the head. Smith takes a curious approach to the line. It seems as if the concept of a ‘weekend’ is foreign to the Dowager, and therefore it’s laugh-out-loud funny. The overall consensus is that there are just too many moments to pick just one. If I asked the cast again, I am sure they would have different answers. I am sure mine will change as well, but for now, I will definitely be on the lookout for these in particular on my next rewatch.

As we all know, Maggie Smith not being in Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale was always going to be hard to handle, but she is still woven into the very fabric of the film, and it pays tribute to her beautifully. There is no Downton without the Dowager, and her presence and spirit can be felt throughout the entire film. Make sure to watch the new movie when it hits theaters this weekend, as well as read our Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale review now.

Downton Abbey has had an impressive run, first with the six-season TV show and now a movie trilogy, as the final installment, Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, prepares to hit the 2025 movie calendar. The trailer promises plenty of emotion and surprising moments as fans bid farewell to the Crawley family and their staff. Critics have seen the latest offering, and they agree fans will be satisfied.

In the continuation of the historical drama, the Crawleys are grappling with the threat of social disgrace amid Mary and Henry’s divorce and the family’s financial woes. Hugh Scott says in CinemaBlend’s review of Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale that creator Julian Fellowes has managed to convey a light and cheerful tone while not losing the realism of the tough circumstances, ultimately providing a satisfying conclusion for most of the characters. Scott rates the movie 4 out of 5 stars, writing:

Jocelyn Noveck of the AP gives the movie 2.5 out of 4 stars, noting that it would be difficult for newcomers to grasp all of the characters and their stories, but fans will be satisfied with this conclusion. Noveck also says The Grand Finale is a tribute to the late Maggie Smith in more ways than one. The critic writes:

Matt Goldberg of The Wrap calls The Grand Finale a “perfectly pleasant” sendoff that, of the three movies, feels the most in line with the TV series. The final movie honors the idea that Downton Abbey is ultimately about a changing world and the people who must learn to change with it. Goldberg continues:

James Dyer of Empire rates it 3 stars out of 5, saying that the question of whether or not Downton Abbey can exist without Maggie Smith — who died in 2024 — is answered with a surprising yes. The finale does Cousin Violet proud, Dyer says, writing:

Tomris Laffly of Variety says it’s a “heart-swelling conclusion,” as Julian Fellowes continues to proudly push these familiar characters out of their comfort zones while still wrapping the film in nostalgia. The critic continues:

Critics largely agree that fans who have stuck with the Crawleys since 2010 — through the series, Christmas specials and two other movies — won’t be disappointed with this last chapter. To that point, the movie stands at 91% on Rotten Tomatoes, with 98% on fans’ Popcornmeter.

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale hits theaters on Friday, September 12, and if you’d like to relive any of the family’s previous antics, both the TV show and first two movies can be streamed with a Peacock subscription.

In Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, writer and creator Julian Fellowes pulls off an impressive trick. We rejoin the Crawley family and their servants in 1930, an auspicious year in world history – right after the New York Stock Exchange crashed in 1929 and the Great Depression began. Things could get very bad for the Earl of Grantham and his family, yet Fellowes manages to make things realistic, yet light and cheerful, as he’s done for 16 years with Downton Abbey.

Though it feels like we’ve said goodbye to Lord and Lady Grantham (Hugh Bonneville and Elizabeth McGovern, respectfully) and the the other characters who live and work at Downton Abbey four times now, Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale does feel like a proper sendoff. A new generation of Crawleys is ready to take the reins and navigate the upcoming troubles that the United Kingdom and its aristocracy will face in the coming decades of the 20th Century.

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale is first and foremost a goodbye.

Each of the previous three goodbyes in the Downton Abbey story – once in the TV series that wrapped up in 2015, and again in each of the previous movies, Downton Abbey in 2019, and Downton Abbey: A New Era in 2022 – have been satisfying, but this one really does feel like the end. These are characters whom we’ve come to know intimately over the years, and bidding them farewell was always going to be bittersweet. Fellowes and director Simon Curtis tell a new story, while managing to give us satisfying conclusions to almost every character. It’s another trick the creators have deftly pulled off.

As has become so common in the franchise, sweeping crane shots of Downton Abbey accompanied by composer John Lunn’s iconic theme music bring us all back to a place we know and love, and in this final installment, the music is especially poignant. It complements the bittersweet sentiment of the film perfectly.

The world is changing, and Downton must change with it to keep pace.

In Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, the United Kingdom is evolving at a rapid pace, as are things for the family, and we are thrust into the world of England in the 1930s. The Victorian Era has been over for over a quarter of a century. People have been through World War I, and a new Labour coalition in Parliament sweep in changes that will eventually spell doom for the British gentry. The Crawleys, especially Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery), understand these changes, and it's up to her and the younger generation to navigate the future.

The movie opens with the neon lights and hustle and bustle of London’s West End. It’s a stark contrast from the beginning of the Downton Abbey story, which started in 1912 – before the Crawleys’ grand house even had electricity or a telephone. Lady Mary is on the verge of divorce, another somewhat modern convention that, as we see through the movie, isn’t yet socially acceptable. Remember, this is just a handful of years before King Edward VIII was forced to abdicate the throne for his relationship with a divorced woman. The transition between the old world and the new is at a nexus.

This struggle between Lord Grantham coming to terms with the future (and his proud family’s past) and the urgency to modernize is at the heart of Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale. Is it possible to keep the traditions alive as the coming changes fight so hard against them? That’s where the film’s conflict is most pronounced. The cost to keep Downton running, not to mention the family’s London digs, is becoming impossible to maintain. The fear of letting down generations of Crawleys is ever-present, too, with the judgmental gaze of the late Violet Crawley (Dame Maggie Smith’s character, whose death in Downton Abbey: A New Era was our last goodbye before now) looking down on everything from her portrait in the entry hall of Downton.

Downton Abbey: A New Era Is Exactly What We’ve Come To Expect From The Franchise.

When it all comes together, Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale is what fans want and expect from the franchise. It’s predictably pleasant and has a wonderful ability to draw you in from the moment it starts. The movie isn’t going to challenge audiences, but that’s not the goal. There is enough tension to move things forward, but not so much that you ever feel uncomfortable. The settings are, as always, resplendent, giving movie-goers the eye candy we expect, and letting us in, once again, on lifestyles, both upstairs and downstairs, that most of us are completely unfamiliar with.

The cast is fantastic, with Paul Giamatti returning as Lady Crawley’s ne'er-do-well brother, Harold Levinson, in his first return to the franchise since Season 4 of the television show. Other returning cast members from past installments, including Dominic West as the actor Guy Dexter, are joined for the first time by Simon Russell Beale as Sir Hector Moreland, a snobby aristocrat who finds himself pitted against Isobel Grey (Penelope Wilton), which is never a good place to be for a character in the franchise.

It is sad to see some characters not returning, most notably Lady Maud, played by Imelda Staunton in the previous two movies, and her daughter Lucy Smith (Tuppence Middleton), who is mentioned by her husband, Tom Branson (Allen Leech), but is not seen in the movie. However, all the other important characters, like Carson (Jim Carter), Lady Edith (Laura Carmichael), Anna (Joanne Froggatt), and the rest, all get a proper sendoff in the end.

It’s goodbye to a franchise, and goodbye to our Edwardian-era friends, but there is hope for the future of the family and all the people they love and employ.

Much talk has already come down the pipeline about the late, great Dame Maggie Smith as Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale prepares to hit the 2025 movie release schedule. Creator Julian Fellowes worked with the onscreen icon for years before Downton Abbey 2 said goodbye to the Dowager Countess, and he has revealed the new movie will pay tribute to the actress in two notable ways.

First, if you can recall the events of the last movie The New Era, it ended with the Dowager Countess ensuring her son that his father was absolutely his father and he was not the result of an affair. Shortly thereafter, the Dowager Countess passed away. The movie actually ended on a shot of a new portrait of Violet in the entry hall, and that her spirit (and one notable portrait) will very much remain when The Grand Finale unveils its story with the fans that have stuck with it for years.

Fellowes was speaking with The Times ahead of Downton Abbey 3’s big release when he spoke about Maggie Smith’s presence within the film. He's not the first person involved with the movie to mention it was a highlight to pay "tribute" to Smith, as Michelle Dockery previously confirmed this. Gareth Naeme also previously suggested her passing in the franchise and in real life added a layer of "poignancy" and weight to the new film.

However, what Fellowes is giving fans is a few new details. Fans should also stick around during the end credits, as the longtime writer, director and producer also revealed a second way the movie will pay tribute to the actress, who died at 89.

It’s hard telling if that’s a message or video memory situation, but I think it is fair to say the Dowager Countess (and in particular her relationship with Lady Mary) was long the most fundamental and intriguing aspect of the series. Sure, we care about Robert and Cora. Yes, we love Tom and the downstairs crew, in particular Carson, but the Dowager Countess had the best lines in the whole series and was the heart of what Downton was about.

That seems to be true for the cast, too, as Hugh Bonneville said that when the show originally wrapped, he had a champagne-filled moment with his TV mother, and was able to tell Smith how "remarkable" it was to have her as a TV mom.

Even when the Downton Abbey: A New Era ended, I never really envisioned there would be a film without her. Yet here we are, three years after the events in the last film, and the 1930s have arrived in the Downton timeline. It’s a little bittersweet the series is ending at all, but it tugs at my heartstrings to know Smith wasn’t there for it. I’m so glad they found ways to nod at her memory and contribution to the long-running franchise as a whole.

It was a big bummer back in the day when longtime Downton Abbey producer Gareth Neame mentioned a “crossover” was unlikely between the beloved British series and its American counterpart The Gilded Age. Yet, series creator Julian Fellowes has always been more of the “never say never” opinion, and now that The Gilded Age has wrapped on Season 3 and is coming back for Season 4, not to mention we're about to get a third Downton movie, the topic has come up again.

In fact, Fellowes was doing some press ahead of the upcoming 2025 movie release, and was asked once more about the possibility of a crossover between the two projects. This time, he got a little more specific about why a possible crossover could work. (Though he also told TV Line there is no official news on this front.)

Spoilers ahead if you plan to watch The Gilded Age Season 3.

During Season 3 of The Gilded Age, Carrie Coon’s Bertha got her wish and married off her naive daughter Gladys to a Duke, which made her a duchess, but led her own marriage into rocky waters. Gladys then headed to England, and ended the recent season pregnant. So, as Fellowes notes, if the show wants to tie in with Downton in the future, there is potential for a character, family, or even location crossover when Season 4 comes around.

Fellowes has also been candid that getting HBO and Focus Features on the same page might be the biggest task. Back when Gareth Neame had commented on the prospect, he had also mentioned the crossover potential was there, as well. He said that while Dame Maggie Smith’s character would have been alive during the 1880s time frame The Gilded Age is set in (and was memorably wooed by a Russian in St. Petersberg), “nothing was planned" at the time.

That was back in Season 1. Now, we’re heading into Season 4, and there’s plenty more time to explore some possible nods and winks. I think the fanbase is ready for them, too. I certainly am.

Unfortunately, it's doubtful we'd get any sort of crossover in the new movie, given the trailer for Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale proved it will be set in the 1930s-- around fifty years after the stories in The Gilded Age. But I'm still always enthusiastic about any upcoming Fellowes projects, and without the late, great Maggie Smith in the fold, I am interested in how the original series will finally wrap, and what that will mean for future projects overall.

Tickets for Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale are already on sale. In addition, you can catch up on the franchise with Focus Features' new video.

I continue to enjoy the threequels that make up a portion of 2025’s movies, and there’s at least two more heading our way that I’m hotly anticipating. One of those films is naturally Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, which promises the end of an era at creator Julian Fellowes’ titular estate.

A brand new trailer for the upcoming September release has actually explained how Matthew Goode’s Downton Abbey 3 absence is going to transpire. If I’m being totally honest, and with all due respect to the now-out of the picture actor, I think this should have happened a long time ago.

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale Sees Lady Mary Talbot As A Divorced Woman

We can apparently apply “the grand finale” subtitle to Lady Mary’s marriage as well. Thanks to Focus Features releasing the new full trailer for September 12th’s cinematic gala event, we have now seen Michelle Dockery’s character being ripped off the dance floor by Downton Abbey 3 cast member Joely Richardson. Proclaiming the news with the sort of whispered caution any Downton scandal requires, the mood in the room is killed.

Meanwhile, we see more of Paul Giamatti’s return as Harold Levinson, which looks to be as fun as one would hope. That is until Mr. Giamatti’s “quite important” role becomes part of this equation, which almost sounds like his personal fortunes may be the cause of some pain for the Crawley family.

Considering how much of this sort of shenanigans we can see through a Peacock subscription, the fallout of this return will be what differentiates this final chapter and episodes of Downton past. We're clearly meant to keep puzzling over The Grand Finale's latest trailer in the meantime, after we take some time to get over the shock of Lady Mary Talbot’s change in marital status. Of course, how taken aback can any of us be, especially with the events that transpired in the previous movie?

This Really Should Have Happened In Downton Abbey: A New Era

I know it may sound callous, but I think 2022’s Downton Abbey: A New Era should have played this card on the table. This isn’t a case of “hindsight is 20/20,” as I was hoping that Lady Mary’s flirtation with film director Jack Barber (Hugh Dancy) would have yielded something rather beautiful. I know some of you are looking at me funny, so I feel the need to drop this clip reel from the second movie, in order to sell my point:

From a character standpoint, Henry Talbot has kind of been pushing his luck in the Downton Abbey universe. Despite giving Mary one hell of a freak out in the final season, he's continued to pursue his endeavors in automotive sales and racing. While she seems ok with it in those scenes from A New Era, you have to think that at least once a week, Michelle Dockery’s new head of the Downton household has some sort of breakdown.

Constant thoughts about how she could lose Henry the same way she lost her beloved late husband Matthew would be enough to send any sane person off the track early on. With that being a huge heartbreak from one of the best Peak TV era series, that's something that would even test the Crawley family's patience, and they tend to be made of much stronger stuff.

Matthew Goode’s absence is a perfect cover to drop this bombshell in Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, as well as introduce a new potential love interest in Alessandro Nivola. It’s going to be a little bit of a wait to learn more about how the rest of the landscape has changed in 1930. For now, we’ll just have to keep our eyes and ears open until September 12th to see what this grand finale has to offer.

Characters come and characters go, at least that’s the case for these beloved shows. Whether it’s on one of the best sitcoms of all time, an exhilarating epic fantasy series, or crime dramas holding down a spot on the primetime lineup for decades, these programs all have one thing in common: they lost a fan-favorite before the final episode (or even final season).

Here are 32 TV shows that lost their lead character during their run…

The Office (2005 - 2013)

After being the best character on The Office for the show’s first seven seasons, Steve Carell’s Michael Scott left Dunder Mifflin’s Scranton office back in 2011. Though he would return in a guest capacity in the final season, the absence of the awkward, excitable, yet hilarious regional manager could be felt in the series’ final days.

That ‘70s Show (1998 - 2006)

That ‘70s Show had one of the best runs of any sitcom introduced in the final years of the 20th century, one that would carry on until May 2006. However, the sitcom’s main character, Topher Grace’s Eric Forman, wouldn’t be there for all of it. The actor, whose popularity was rising at the time, left the show after its seventh season. He would return in the series finale one year later.

Two And A Half Men (2003 - 2015)

Amid contract negotiations and a string of controversial incidents, Charlie Sheen left Two and a Half Men and stopped playing fan-favorite Charlie Harper, following the hit sitcom’s eighth season in 2011. One of the most popular shows on TV at the time, the CBS comedy would continue for four more seasons, with Ashton Kutcher coming on to play Walden Schmidt

Cheers (1982 - 1993)

A mainstay of Cheers for the show’s first five seasons, Shelley Long’s Diane Chambers left the friendly Boston bar for good when she was given the opportunity to become a professional writer. However, Diane would later return near the end of the show’s final season in 1993.

ER (1994 - 2009)

Whether it was Anthony Edwards’ Mark Greene being killed off in a spectacular way or George Clooney’s Doug Ross departing following a major scandal, ER lost several of its main characters throughout its 15-season (and 331-episode) run on NBC. However, the show always seemed to rebound from even the biggest losses.

Law & Order (1990 - Present)

Countless beloved characters have come and gone from Law & Order over the years, including NYPD detective Lennie Briscoe (Jerry Orbach), who was a mainstay of the legal drama for 12 years. The series is still on today (after being revived in 2022), but few of the detectives on the show have come close to touching the greatness of the wisecracking cop.

Three’s Company (1977 - 1984)

The late Suzanne Somers became a household name for her portrayal of Chrissy Snow on Three’s Company back in 1977. One of the three leads through much of the show’s run, Somers departed the series after its fifth season. The sitcom would run for three additional seasons after Somers left.

Scrubs (2001 - 2009)

Though Zach Braff’s Dr. John Michael “J.D.” Dorian was technically part of the Scrubs cast until the very last episode of Season 9 (he’s also returning for the upcoming reboot series), he only showed up in less than half of the final run. Maybe it was for the best, because those episodes were of a far lower quality than the previous eight seasons.

Bewitched (1964 - 1972)

This is an odd one simply because the Darrin Stephens character on Bewitched was written off, but instead recast near the end of the show’s run. Played by Dick York for the first few seasons, Elizabeth Montgomery’s on-screen husband was later played by Dick Sargent in the final years of the landmark sitcom about a witch trying to hide her true nature from the world around her.

Mom (2003 - 2021)

When the main star of a show leaves partway through the series run, it can be a nightmare for their co-stars and crew members, and that was the case when Anna Faris departed the hit CBS comedy Mom in 2020. Though the show continued for one more season after Christy Plunkett was written off, the absence of the former lead could be felt.

One Tree Hill (2003 - 2012)

One of the biggest shows of the 2000s, One Tree Hill was a perennial favorite of The WB (and later The CW) through much of its nine-season run. However, the good times didn’t last the whole time, as Chad Michael Murray, who played lead Lucas Scott, departed after season 6 alongside Hilarie Burton’s Peyton Sawyer.

Grey’s Anatomy (2005 - Present)

One of the longest-running shows in TV history, Grey’s Anatomy has always been known for its tremendous cast of characters. And while there are some, like Ellen Pompeo’s Meredith Grey, who have been there all along, others have come and gone. One of the biggest is Patrick Dempsey’s Derek Shepherd, aka "Dr. McDreamy," who was killed off in the show’s 11th season.

Glee (2009 - 2015)

In the middle of Glee’s successful run on Fox, the popular musical series lost one of its main characters when the actor who played him tragically died. In July 2013, Cory Monteith, who played Finn Hudson, died at the age of 31.

The Walking Dead (2010 - 2022)

So many characters came and went on The Walking Dead, which is to be expected considering it was a show set in the zombie apocalypse. However, one of the biggest departures came in the show’s ninth season when Andrew Lincoln’s Rick Grimes was written off the massively successful show.

House Of Cards (2013 - 2018)

House of Cards was a show with one shocking moment after another, including the time the Netflix series had to find a way to get rid of its main character before the sixth and final season. After Kevin Spacey found himself in legal trouble, the show’s producers decided to kill him off and carry on.

Blue’s Clues (1996 - 2006)

Steve Burns’ Steve was primarily the only human character on the hit Nick Jr. series, Blue’s Clues, for the show’s first four seasons. However, the actor left the animated show and was replaced by his character’s younger brother, Joe (Donovan Patton). Burns would later go on to appear in the Flaming Lips’ wild 2008 sci-fi film, Christmas on Mars.

The O.C. (2003 - 2007)

One of the main characters through the show’s first few seasons, Mischa Barton’s Marissa Cooper was killed off in heartbreaking fashion in The O.C.’s Season 3 finale. Following the departure of the tortured teenager, the show lasted one more season before coming to an end.

Charmed (1998 - 2006)

Prue Halliwell, played by the late Shannen Doherty, was one of the main characters in the first three seasons of Charmed. Though her fate was initially left up in the air following a Season 3 cliffhanger, it was later revealed that Prue died after her run-in with a powerful demonic assassin.

Laverne & Shirley (1976 - 1983)

One of the most popular spinoffs of all time (the characters originated on Happy Days), Laverne & Shirley ran for eight seasons on ABC between 1976 and 1983. However, while Penny Marshall’s Laverne DeFazio stayed around for the whole run, it was a different story for Cindy Williams’s Shirley Feeney. Williams, who was pregnant at the time, departed partway through what would ultimately be the final season.

Game Of Thrones (2011 - 2019)

Though Game of Thrones had numerous “main” characters over the course of its eight-year run, Sean Bean’s Ned Stark was one of the biggest in the first season. Creating one of the most shocking moments in TV history, Ned lost his head before the end of the first year, which set the tone for the unpredictable nature of the series moving forward.

The Vampire Diaries (2009 - 2017)

The Vampire Diaries was on the air for eight seasons between 2009 and 2017, but The CW’s popular book-to-screen adaptation lost its main character, Nina Dobrev’s Elena Gilbert, two-thirds of the way through. Though her character didn’t die, Debrov left for other opportunities.

Spin City (1996 - 2002)

The popular satirical comedy series, Spin City, ran on ABC for six seasons between 1996 and 2002, with most of those being led by Michael J. Fox as New York City deputy mayor Mike Flaherty. However, a couple of years after Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, the actor left the series after its fourth season, with his character being written off by moving to Washington, D.C.

The Wire (2002 - 2008)

The Wire’s cast was full of incredible actors playing some of the best characters to ever grace the small screen. One of the major players in the landmark HBO series’ first three seasons was Idris Elba’s Stringer Bell, a ruthless and ambitious drug lord who aspired for more than running the corners in Baltimore. However, he made far too many enemies and he was brutally killed in the show’s Season 3 finale.

Oz (1997 - 2003)

Though Oz had a killer ensemble cast throughout the HBO series’ run between 1997 and 2003, it lost one of its lead players when Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje’s Simon Adebisi was killed off in the show’s fourth season. Imagine fans’ reactions the following year when he showed up in 2001’s The Mummy Returns.

Roseanne/The Conners (1988 - 2025)

Not long after Roseanne was brought back to TV in 2018, its star, Roseanne Barr, was fired in the fallout of a controversial tweet. The show was quickly cancelled and morphed into The Conners, which ran for seven seasons before coming to an end in 2025.

NCIS (2003 - Present)

A lot of people have left NCIS over the years, but the CBS crime drama continues to be one of the most popular shows on network TV. Perhaps the biggest character to come and go since the show’s 2003 debut is NCIS Supervisory Special Agent and Special Agent in Charge Leroy Gibbs, played by Mark Harmon, who stayed on through the 19th season. Talk about longevity.

8 Simple Rules For Dating My Teenage Daughter (2002 - 2005)

8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter, later shortened to 8 Simple Rules, had a nice little run on ABC back in the early 2000s, and even helped launch the career of Kaley Cuoco. The series was originally led by John Ritter, but his character, Paul Hennessy, was written off after the Three’s Company and Problem Child star suddenly died at the age of 54 while shooting the second season.

Lost (2004 - 2010)

Much like the show’s story, talking about main characters dying on Lost is a bit confusing, considering the non-linear structure of the long-running ABC drama series. Numerous characters like Shannon Rutherford (Maggie Grace), Michael Dawson (Harold Perrineau), and Charlie Pace (Dominic Monaghan) were written off and brought back later on in the series.

Homeland (2011 - 2020)

A once-great show that went on way too long, Homeland had its fair share of shocking moments and final episodes for major characters. At the top of that list is Nicholas Brody (Damian Lewis), a former prisoner of war whose true alliances are ambiguous through much of the show’s first three seasons. However, his time would come to an end a few years into the run when Brody was hanged in a public execution in Iran.

Boardwalk Empire (2010 - 2014)

Michael Pitt’s Jimmy Darmody was pretty much the 1B lead to Steve Buscemi’s Nucky Thompson in the first two seasons of Boardwalk Empire, but the up-and-coming gangster wouldn’t survive the 2011 season finale. The series would run for another three seasons before coming to an end in 2014.

Downton Abbey (2010 - 2015)

Dan Stevens’ Matthew Crawley was just one of multiple fan-favorite characters to be killed off during Downton Abbey during the show’s original run. The third-cousin, once removed of the Earl of Grantham, the character didn’t make it all that long in the grand scheme of things before dying in a car accident during the show’s third season.

Sons Of Anarchy (2008 - 2014)

Sons of Anarchy had an epic run on FX in the latter part of the 2000s through the early 2010s, and in that time, so many fan-favorites got killed off. The most horrifying came in the show’s fifth season when the beloved Opie (Ryan Hurst) was brutally murdered in prison. Some never came back after that.

Preparing for the grand gala that the 2025 TV schedule calls The Gilded Age Season 3 has been quite a joy. But if you’re co-writer/creator Julian Fellowes, that fun comes at a cost; especially with the final Downton Abbey movie heading our way in the same year. And since questions persist surrounding the potential crossover of both high society epics, Fellowes actually highlighted a greater obstacle that I’m surprised we hadn’t called out sooner.

While chatting with TV Insider, The Gilded Age mastermind addressed the consistent thread that speculates Elizabeth McGovern’s Cora Crawley (nee Levinson) is the key to a pre-Downton crossover episode. As always, Julian Fellowes took great pains to answer this question, especially since he’s now thrown this potential stumbling block into the equation:

Just when it seems like we've cracked the "who" in this case of TV crossover, the "how" has now shown up uninvited, threatening to drink all the champagne. The home base for The Gilded Age is definitely a problem, as HBO Max subscription holders are the ones who get to watch the adventures of the Van Rhijn family, as well as their friends, enemies, and relations. As for the adventure of Downton Abbey, they originally aired on ITV and PBS, and are now part of the Peacock streaming family.

So, sadly, hope for a smooth crossover has been dashed due to the projects being housed at different companies.

That being said, there is one obscure fact that could potentially bridge the gap between these Julian Fellowes creations. Seeing as The Gilded Age began life at NBC, Universal Television is still a credited party on the finished show that went to HBO. Seeing as Universal also owns Peacock, there’s a chance the company’s remaining stake could clear the hurdles of bureaucracy.

Much like young Cora Levinson’s family being present in 1890’s New York, familial connections keep the door open for an event many are hoping will take place. Between plot concerns and business connections, there should at least be talks to feel out if The Gilded Age’s hypothetical meet-up is a mutually beneficial prospect.

Considering Downton Abbey fans will be eager for news on potential expansions, it’d be a shame to pass up a discussion in the drawing room. For now, though, the worlds of Julian Fellowes are firmly divided, both ready to return before our very eyes.

This Sunday at 9 PM ET will mark The Gilded Age’s Season 3 premiere on HBO and HBO Max, whereas Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale will hit theaters on September 12th. So, while our hopes of a crossover might be dwindling, at least we can see new stories from both properties very soon.

As Charles Dickens once said in A Christmas Carol, “life’s made of meetings and partings.” While the 2025 movie schedule won’t feature any new adaptation of Tiny Tim’s hypothetical death, it will mark the release of Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale. With its debut, the film will certainly be closing the curtain on an era of pop culture. However, series creator/writer Julian Fellowes has hinted at a couple ways in which the Crawley legacy could continue and, at the same time, there's an ongoing fan theory that could make fans shed happy tears.

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale Might Not Be The End Of The Crawley Family Legacy

Deadline caught up with Julian Fellowes, as he prepares for the Tribeca Film Festival’s event honoring The Gilded Age Season 3’s premiere. So, of course, the subject of Downton Abbey 3 came up, and how that confirmed finale event is set to conclude the ITV series’ cinematic trilogy. However, Fellowes doesn't seem keen on writing off some sort of revival completely, as he shared this promising development when asked if the threequel will truly be the end:

Oh, my dear friends, Mr. Carson’s prediction of a “century” of history at Downton may still very well be in play. Although, as the EP noted above, the original series cast will probably be absent from whatever project may or may not come next. Come to think of it, after watching Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale’s teaser, I wonder if it’ll even connect to the storied estate at all.

A change in characters could be fun to follow, whether it’s the Crawley family’s adventures out of the family home, or the tale of the potential new family moving onto the grounds. But that’s not the only promising tease that Julian Fellowes had to offer. He dropped another one that ties to something that fans of The Gilded Age have been talking about since day one.

The Gilded Age Crossover Theory Could Still Become A Reality

Even from the first season of Fellowes’ long-in-development series The Gilded Age, fans were curious about potential Downton Abbey crossovers. As he continued to avoid using the world "never," Julian Fellowes seemed to provide some hope regarding cross polination:

While the Max subscription offering most recently featured events unfolding in 1883 New York and Downton starts in 1912, the possibility has always seemed to exist. The strongest potential thread in that pitch has always been the American-born Cora Crawley (Elizabeth McGovern), whose family relations made their fortune prior to the events we saw in Downton Abbey. Despite that, as of the first two seasons, no connections between the two series have been forged.

It's not for lack of enticing options, though. Perhaps the Levinson family will be a party that tries to do business with George Russell (Morgan Spector) and his volatile holdings? Maybe a young Violet Crawley will stop in New York and trade jabs with Agnes van Rhijn (Christine Baranski)? There’s no limit to what could happen, except the conditions Julian Fellowes potentially lays out. Whatever the case, I'd love to see Downton continue in some form or fashion.

Get ready for a summer of speculation, as The Gilded Age Season 3 premieres on June 22nd at 9 PM ET on HBO/HBO Max! Meanwhile Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale is set to send off the franchise in style, only in theaters, starting September 12th.

Matthew Goode came aboard Downton Abbey in its fifth season to play Henry Talbot, who would become the second husband of Michelle Dockery’s Lady Mary Crawley. However, following a brief appearance in the first Downton Abbey movie, Goode was absent from Downton Abbey: A New Era and will not be present in Downton: Abbey: The Grand Finale when it’s released on the 2025 movies schedule. While it’s a shame Henry won’t be part of this closing chapter for the historical drama saga that’s been going since 2010, I do adore the memory he recently shared about his involvement in giving the late Maggie Smith her “favorite day on a set” on the original series.

Goode has been making the press rounds to promote his new TV show Dept. Q, which can be streamed now with a Netflix subscription. In an interview with Deadline, the actor mentioned how he has “great stories” from the sets of Downton Abbey, including the aforementioned moment with Smith, who played Lady Violet Crawley. Goode started by saying:

Ok, drinking on the job normally is never a good idea, particularly if you’re an actor having to spout off a lot of lines. However, given the hot weather and that Matthew Goode presumably didn’t have to get in front of the cameras anytime soon, I also get why he asked for the glass of the rosé. He continued:

I’m glad Maggie Smith got a kick out of the alcohol-fueled shenanigans that day, so I guess kudos to Matthew Goode for deciding to imbibe a little bit. Had all those actors and extras needed to be available for scenes soon after, then it had the potential to be a disaster. Instead, Maggie Smith ended the day with a cherished memory, and clearly it still means a lot to Goode. He concluded by saying this about the aforementioned pilot who had the garden:

That’s wise of him to provide assurances that this isn’t regular behavior for him. At least Downton Abbey fans now have another wonderful moment from Maggie Smith’s life to think about. Smith’s time in the franchise came to an end in Downton Abbey: A New Era, when she passed away in 1928 surrounded by her loved ones. A New Era was released in May 2022, and in September 2024, Smith died at the age of 89.

While both the actress and her character are gone, Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale will pay tribute to Maggie Smith, and Michelle Dockery described the movie as a “real tribute” to her. We’ll see how this is accomplished when The Grand Finale is released on September 12. Use your Peacock subscription to stream the original series.

There are some sequels fans just want to dive into as soon as possible, but I don’t think Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale is one of them. At least, that’s my subjective opinion about this upcoming 2025 movie schedule entry, because it’s going to bring creator Julian Fellowes’ iconic British drama to a resounding close.

Now the first footage has finally released to the public, I’m doubling down on my feelings, as it features an emotional scene with a typically stoic member of the Crawley family that feels sure to bring the house down.

Robert Crawley’s Goodbye Gesture To Downton Abbey Is Going To Break Audiences

So what is the scene in Focus Features’ upcoming drama? It's one where Robert Crawley (Hugh Bonneville) plants a kiss on one of those very recognizable front walls. After all of the ups, downs, and everything in-between experienced in that stately manor, the teaser continues to sum it all up in a phrase we’ve seen since Downton Abbey 3’s title reveal: “It’s time to say goodbye.”

I just don't want to, despite knowing better going into this trailer. I let myself get caught up in beautiful little glimpses of Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) showing up to an event dressed in her finest, the return of Julian Levinson (Paul Giamatti) being marked by his trademark ebullience, and a bunch of the family showing up to a horse racing event. But then came that moment where the Paddington franchise star bid farewell to his familial home. A scene that may have been in the works for longer than we thought.

I Think The 1929 Wall Street Crash Has Finally Hit Downton Abbey

Before doing the required deep dive to revisit Downton Abbey’s previous adventures through my Peacock subscription, the vague recollection that the Crawley’s beautiful home has always been on the verge of bankruptcy has always been on my mind. And for a while, one year in particular on the calendar has stuck out as a potential stumbling block to the family fortune - 1929.

Seeing as that’s when the American financial system suffered its first major crisis, and part of the money that’s kept Downton afloat is from Cora’s side of the family. Elizabeth McGovern’s Cora, the American fixture in the ITV hit, has been the connection to various lifelines, for better or worse. With this movie being announced as taking place in 1930, the moment has passed, and consequences will start to take shape - with plenty of Downton Abbey 3 cast members still waiting to take their places.

Which now introduces the possibility that Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale may see her brother Julius coming to collect in some manner or another. Let’s not forget Paul Giamatti’s cryptic Downton 3 tease where he said he does “something of real significance.”

Though now that I think about it, could the return of Guy Dexter (Dominic West) be an indication that he may want to secure the location as his own? You have to admit, that possibility would not only keep Thomas Barrow (Rob James-Collier) in the house he rose through the ranks serving, it’d also be a way to keep the household staff on board after the transition.

I think even Barrows’ former foe Mr. Carson (Jim Carter) would begrudgingly admit that this is making the best of a sad situation. In either of these scenarios, the Crawley era of Downton Abbey looks to be at its end.

The real questions left to answer are where will its inhabitants go, who will be the new owner, and is it really for the best that Matthew Goode won’t be appearing in The Grand Finale? Save your energy, and your tears, as we’ve got until September 12th to think of what to say about the end of this pop culture favorite.

From Downton Abbey to the Red Keep to 742 Evergreen Terrace, there are so many cool houses I'd love to explore from television shows. Some have even gotten quite famous for their use on these shows. Obviously I understand these are mostly sets on a soundstage with an exterior of a completely different house, but let's take a moment to use our imagination and talk about how fun and cool these houses I've always wanted to explore would be.

The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air

Of course with have to include Uncle Phil and Aunt Bev's house on The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air. Most of the show pretty much takes place in two rooms, the kitchen and the living room, with other scenes in various bedrooms and occasionally other spots. There must be so much more to see!

The Addams Family

Who doesn't want to explore a house like that of the Addams family? It's creepy and kooky, mysterious and spooky! It's got a dismembered hand running around, a cousin covered in hair, and an uncle who can light up a light bulb in his mouth! This is the kind of house I want to learn a whole lot more about!

Friends

Much has been made about the apartments on Friends and how unrealistic they are. Sure, that may be true, but that doesn't mean they aren't cool, especially where Monica and Rachel live. As someone who lived in a shoebox in the East Village for years, this is the kind of place I'd love to explore and dream about how I could have been living... in a fever dream.

Full House

The Painted Ladies in San Francisco are some of the most iconic houses in the entire United States Of America. For that reason alone it's worth it to explore the Tanner home on Full House. I might not have a chance to explore one otherwise (not that would in this fictional scenario anyway!)

Succession

Let's be honest, I can't stand the Roy family and it makes it hard for me to love the show Succession, because I need someone to root for and there is no one on this show worthy of that. Except maybe the houses and locations, those all look amazing. So that's decides it, I'm rooting for fictional houses.

Game Of Thrones

I've included the Red Keep here from Game of Thrones, but really it's a stand-in for basically every castle, keep, and ancestral home on the show. They all look really cool and I love old European castles, so an architectural tour of Westeros is right in my wheelhouse. Winterfell, Dragonstone, the Eyrie, Sunspear... they are all amazing. Even the ruins of Harrenhal would be awesome to hang out in for a bit.

Gossip Girl

I lived a very different life in my shoebox in the East Village when I lived in New York than the families in Gossip Girl lived. Frankly, every location looks incredible in its own way and I want to see them all and the well-dressed people who live in them.

Frasier

Frasier Crane doesn't live in the most extravagant condo in TV history, but it still seems like a really cool place. Seattle is a beautiful city and the view they had would make a quick tour very worthwhile. Plus, who doesn't want to have a good sit in Martin's chair?

Diff'rent Strokes

The 1980s was filled with over-the-top residences, and the Drummonds apartment in Diff'rent Strokes is close to the top of the list. We really only got to see a little bit of the two-story New York apartment, as almost every scene was in the living room, kitchen, or Willis and Arnold's bedroom. I want to see more! There must be a cozy study in there somewhere with a fireplace filled with many old books and rich mahogany!

Downton Abbey

Downton Abbey is one of the few fictional houses on this list that one can actually spend some time in. The house, which is known as Highclere Castle in real life, is open for tours to the public, and not only can you explore the grounds, but many of the rooms from the show as well. I've not done it yet, but I'd love to do the tour at some point.

Silver Spoons

As a kid of the '80s, the Stratton's mansion on Silver Spoons is close to the top of my list of houses I wished I lived in. There was a train running through the living room, multiple arcade games, and a racing car bed! It's everything I ever wanted and more. Plus, we never got to see much other than a couple of rooms, there has to be so much to explore!

Dynasty

The 1980s were a time when incredibly rich families stirred up melodrama among themselves on shows like Dynasty. Set in Denver, the show's family, the Carringtons, lived in an amazing home. The exteriors of the home were actually a palatial home in Pasadena called Arden Villa.

Modern Family

Jay and Gloria Prichett's house on Modern Family fits the name of the show well. It's...well... modern and it's the kind of house I like to stalk on Zillow. It's not the most over-the-top, or biggest (nor the smallest, for sure), but it seems like a really awesome, realistic house that would be perfect for a week-long AirBnB rental.

Mork & Mindy

This is one of those homes on TV that actually seems like a place I could actually afford and live in. It's a simple house in Boulder, CO, where the show is set and while the prices all over Colorado for real estate are kind of insane, it's still a very cool looking, sensible house. Mork (Robin Williams) is the only thing that isn't sensible about it.

The Munsters

There are few houses in TV history as iconic as the Munster's mansion from The Munsters. Though I'm not a big fan of horror movies, even I can appreciate all the Easter eggs and tributes to old monster movies that must be hidden all over the house. It's the kind of place that is a museum of the weird as much as it is a home.

The Brady Bunch

I love Mid-Century Modern architecture, especially houses. There is no better example of a cool Mid-Century Modern house in TV history than the house designed by Mike Brady on The Brady Bunch. It's also one of the rare shows where we basically see every room in the house in almost every episode. The one part we never see is where Alice lives, so that's something new to explore.

The Golden Girls

I'm a total sucker for those weird Florida gated communities like the one in The Golden Girls and for that reason, I'd love to check the house shared by the four retired roommates in the classic NBC sitcom. It's not the most extravagant, nor the most interesting, but it's still the kind of realistic house I love.

The Sopranos

This is a little bit of an outlier because really, the house in The Sopranos is everything I kinda hate in a house. It's pretty much a standard suburban McMansion, so that means my exploration would really be to make fun of it. I get that it's not a great idea to criticize Carmela's decorating or Tony's house in general, but it's a risk I'd be willing to take.

Mad Men

Don Draper's apartment in Mad Men looks amazing. It's not the biggest home on this list, but it's so perfectly set in its time, it would be amazing to spend a few hours in listening to some jazz and smoking cigarettes.

Dallas

Southfork Ranch is a real place. It's a popular spot in Dallas to hold weddings and other events. That means that exploring the house, which is home to the Ewing clan in Dallas is possible, but I'd want to go back in time and see it as it was when the Ewings lived there (on the show anyway). There would be so much to see across all of the property.

The Simpsons

There are few addresses as famous as 742 Evergreen Terrace. It's not the grandest house on this list, obviously, but still, it's just so iconic. I can just see myself having a Duff on the back patio while Homer relaxes in his hammock, or lying on the floor with Lisa and Bart watching the latest episode of Itchy & Scratchy. Maybe even helping Marge in the kitchen cooking pork chops for dinner.

Dexter

Okay, I'll admit, this one is the most depraved choice on this list. Checking out Dexter's apartment from Dexter is sure to be disturbing and morbid, so it's the kind of place where it's good to keep in mind this is all fictional! Demented and sad, but fictional!

Seinfeld

Jerry's apartment on Seinfeld is probably the smallest home on this list. It's really just the kitchen and living room open-plan space (that doesn't actually make sense) and Jerry's bedroom, but there is always some cool stuff in the background, like Superman memorabilia and cereal boxes. Those are worth exploring, right? Maybe not, but Kramer may have the hot tub open in his apartment.

Charmed

Like a few others on this lit, visiting nd exploring the house on Charmed is less about the house - though it does look stunning - and more about learning about what is really going with these three witches. It has to be fascinating to see how they live when they aren't fighting demons and the like.

The Nanny

I'll admit I'm pretty fascinated by huge New York City apartments. It's just so different from how most people live in the city. The opulence and ease of living in multi-story dwellings in the city must be amazing, and the home on The Nanny certainly fits the bill like others on this list.

Desperate Housewives

This entry isn't about one house, it's about all the house and the neighborhood that makes up Wisteria Lane on Desperate Housewives. There isn't anything particularly special about any one house, but wow what a subdivision to live in! My suburban street was nothing like this... or maybe it was and I was just ignorant of it. Probably not.

The Crown

There are a lot of palaces and castles in Netflix's The Crown and all of them are real places, though none of the show was actually filmed in them, of course. Of all the castles and palaces that Queen Elizabeth is seen in on the show, the coolest and most interesting has to be Balmoral, her castle in Scotland where she ultimately died in real life. That's the castle and grounds I want to explore.

Billions

Even by TV show standards, Bobby Axelrod (Damien Lewis) on Showtime's Billions has a ridiculous beach house in the Hamptons. I mean, it looks like a country club clubhouse or a hotel, it's insane. It feels like you could spend a month there and never hang out in the same room twice.

Ozark

I've been to the Lake of the Ozarks a bunch of times in my life and while it's a super fun place, you don't really think of it as having interesting houses. On the show Ozark, the Byrdes definitely live in one that you wouldn't ever expect to see there, and it's based on a real place there. It's exactly the kind of house I love. It's also one of the few places that is actually based on a real thing at Lake of the Ozarks, as the show was primarily shot in Georgia.

Beverly Hills, 90210

As someone who grew up watching Beverly Hills, 90210 every week, this is definitely a very personal choice. I just always thought the house was really nice looking and I'd love to spend some time hanging out with the Walshes.

Arrested Development

Yes, it's only a model house, and yes, it's basically cheap construction of plywood and chewing gum, but still, the house in Arrested Development would be a wild place to hang out for a while. You could look for George in the attic, or count the number of blue handprints on the wall... there's just so much. I wouldn't mess around with the cornballer though.

Falcon Crest

One of the wildest wealthy fictional families on TV in the '80s was the Channing/Gioberti clan on Falcon Crest. It's a show that no one talks about anymore, but the house, set in a fictionalized version of Napa Valley is amazing and really, we should be talking about it as the star of the show, though Jane Wyman is pretty fantastic on the show too.

To outsiders, the world of Downton Abbey must feel like it’s made up of tea, polite society, and soft emotional drama. Meanwhile, those who truly love the show know just how cutthroat it can be with the lives and affairs of its characters.

Which leads to some pretty snarky, snide, and sometimes downright nasty insults thrown at the characters in one of our favorite Peak TV shows. Here are several examples of the best times the cast have put their verbal gloves up on screen.

“Then it’s lucky no one’s ever asked you, isn’t it?”

Even over a decade since Mrs. Sarah O’Brien randomly left the staff at Downton, she’s still one of the most disliked characters on the series. That much can be seen in this cutting insult delivered by downstairs colleague Thomas Barrow (Rob James-Collier), upon the discussion of how Mrs. O’Brien could never live with the shame of being stood up at the altar.

"I would feel sorry for him if I didn't dislike him so much."

A TV mom who parents with an iron fist, Dowager Countess Violet Crawley (Dame Maggie Smith) gives us this classier version of "good riddance to bad rubbish." Commenting on the comeuppance of a threat to the Crawley family's happiness, it's probably one of the best examples of insulting someone with such sweet terms.

“Cheese grater, but I'll leave it at that.”

The middle child of the Crawley family, Lady Edith is a punching bag when it comes to her fortunes and character’s opinions. As her family ponder what household item to compare her persona to, it’s mother Cora (Elizabeth McGovern) that gets the sharpest, and last, word on the matter.

“History and tradition led Europe into a world war. Maybe you should think about letting go of its hand.”

One of Violet Crawley’s most able sparring partners, Cora’s mother Martha Levinson (Shirley MacLaine) is a perfect contrast to her daughter’s mother-in-law. When debating the virtues of tradition versus innovation in Season 3’s premiere, Downton Abbey gave Ms. Levinson a perfect rejoinder that spoke to the issue at hand.

“He had a right to know how his countryman died...”

Lady Edith Crawley (Laura Carmichael) has always had somewhat of an adversarial relationship with her older sister Mary. So when the oldest, and supposed “golden child” embroils the family in a scandal involving a dead diplomat, the middle Crawley daughter uses it to her advantage. Trust us, this insult is so cutting for a period drama that we can’t show you the rest. Maybe that's why Season 1 is surprisingly considered the best.

“So did Caligula...”

Downton Abbey: The Motion Picture only amped up the verbal tennis game between Lady Isobel Merton (Penelope Wilton) and the Dowager Countess. While Violet Crawley took a moment to extoll the "qualities" of Machiavelli, Isobel hit back that even a corrupt Roman emperor could be seen as having "qualities," but as she quickly followed up, "...not all of them charming."

"No, my suitcase arrived safely. Along with my manners."

For as much as fans mourn Dan Stevens’ Cousin Matthew Crawley, criticizing the wardrobe of chauffeur turned family member Thomas Branson (Allan Leech) wasn’t one of his finest moments. Which means that the remark you see above was not only justified, it’s exceedingly polite in such a moment.

“I have found when dealing with foreigners, if one speaks loudly and slowly, they'll bend to your will.”

Not even Downton Abbey’s second motion picture, A New Era, saw a dulling of the wit and wisdom of those who valued the Downton Estate. And those familiar with the franchise can practically hear Jim Carter’s authoritative yet mischievous voice as Mr. Carson reading this line about dealing with his visit to a French villa with family connections.

“You’re always dozy, but tonight you’d make Sleeping Beauty look alert.”

The friendship seen between Mrs. Patmore (Lesley Nicol) and Daisy (Sophia McShera) in Downton’s later years was not always easy. As Patmore’s seniority in the kitchen staff gave her plenty of opportunity to chastise her would-be protege, it meant plenty of opportunities for zingers like this one from the sixth episode of Season 1.

“Don’t worry Ms. Denker. I’ve got a copy of The Lady upstairs.”

You never know where the next insult will come from on Downton Abbey. After an attempted betrayal between members of the Dowager Countess’ staff in the Season 6 premiere, it’s secret advice columnist/butler Mr. Spratt (Jeremy Swift) who gets to politely warn Mrs. Denker that if she keeps it up, he has the publication that she can use look for a new job.

“No I haven’t had children, Robert, as you so kindly remind me. But I do hope I have a sense of decency.”

Every now and then even the head of the Downton household, Robert Crawley (Hugh Bonneville) needs to be put in his place. So when an argument erupts where he refers to the childless status of his sister, Lady Rosamund Painswick (Samantha Bond), she shoots back with a firm reminder that even though the estate may be his responsibility, he still needs to watch his words.

“Honestly m'lady you'd better hope I never write my memoirs.”

To be quite honest, this Downton Abbey comeback is something that could apply to any household staff working for a family so eventful as the Crawleys. But by the time Anna Smith, soon to be Bates (Joanne Froggatt) got to say these words in Season 5, fans knew that this was the absolute truth.

“I never argue. I explain.”

Dowager Countess Violet Crawley pretty much always has something to say when engaged in verbal combat. Downton Abbey: The Motion Picture was another grand platform for those skills, giving Dame Maggie Smith yet another memorable swipe at those who’d try to paint her as a conversational tyrant.

“That depends. I'd have to know more about the princess and the sea monster in question.”

Who would have thought that Matthew Crawley (Dan Stevens) would have become the love of Mary Crawley’s life? Their arrangement as a couple started under rather snarky terms, especially when the marriage was supposed to secure the family fortune above all. Mary’s Season 1 turn to classical literature for insults led to this cheeky reply, an early indicator of the happiness and heartbreak ahead.

“Odious woman.”

The late Lady Sybil Crawley (Jessica Brown Findlay) is someone who's always tried to see the good in people, no matter who they are. However, even she had hard and fast limits, as the political firebrand of the family. And those boundaries were of course tested by the harshness of the wicked Mrs. O’Brien, which inspired this short but cutting remark.

“A shy royal? Is that an oxymoron?”

While Downton Abbey: The Motion Picture’s royal visit was certainly an occasion worth celebrating, even a family of monarchists know how to sass the royals. No need for any severe outrage though, as Robert Crawley’s short and sweet comment was made with his heart in the right place.

"You're a woman with a brain and reasonable ability. Stop whining and find something to do.”

Sometimes, a person can find the best inspiration through the strength of their family. And yes, that includes the typically sassy Dowager Countess Violet Crawley. After Lady Edith was jilted at the altar in Season 3, Violet used her steely reserve for good, rather than entertainment and preservation.

"No one ever tells you about raising daughters. You think it’ll be like Little Women, and instead they’re at each others’ throats."

Cora Grantham may seem like a matronly character that spares people’s feelings more than she slays them, but she’s gotten some profoundly funny zingers into the Downton lexicon herself. Who could blame her for describing motherhood in these terms when Lady Mary and Lady Edith’s many spats have resulted in blackmail, harsh name calling, and other unpleasantries.

“It’s wonderful what fear can do to the human spirit.”

This sort of line feels like it’d be reserved for one of the best live-action Disney villains, meant to chill the audience to its bones. But in the hands of Downton Abbey’s Mrs. Patmore, such words in Season 2 can walk a fine line between threat and communal punchline.

“It’s just the thought of being left behind with you.”

Though their feud softened vastly after the death of their younger sister Sybil, Lady Mary and Lady Edith Crawley still got some good one-liners in against each other through Downton Abbey’s later seasons. Season 5 saw as much brought to light, as Lady Edith’s mockery about Lady Mary hating “to be left behind” created the right opportunity for this pithy comeback.

“It's 1927. We're modern folk.”

Change is a constant in the world of Downton, even as The Motion Picture showed Lady Edith and her husband Berty Hexham (Harry Hadden-Paton) moving into their lives as a happy couple. While Edith’s father, Robert Crawley, makes light of their lack of nanny or servants, Berty politely joins in with an equally cheery comeback.

“Will you have enough clichés to get you through the visit?”

A frequent collaborator and sparring partner with the Dowager Countess Violet Crawley, Lady Isobel Merton (Penelope Wilton) is usually the cheerier one that always has words for the occasion. Which naturally prompted Maggie Smith’s legendary sass factory to ask this question in the first film of Downton Abbey’s post-TV run, and led to Wilton’s equally formidable figure promising that if she ran out, she’d head to her frenemy for more.

“But for poor old Edith, who couldn’t make her dolls do what she wanted…”

Robert and Cora Crawley are bad parents by any stretch of the imagination. However, there are moments, like this piece of snark from Season 6, that could take audiences aback. While middle child Edith had more than her fair share of misfortunes, this childhood anecdote is both amusing, but kind of cruel when you think about it.

“I don’t think that’d be sensible Mr. Bates. We can’t have you wobbly at both ends.”

There are so many words one could use to describe Downton Abbey’s Thomas Barrow, and a lot of them wouldn’t be things you say in a drawing room. His contentious relationship with fellow staff member Mr. Bates (Brendan Coyle) was always a reminder of that fact, as seen in this Season 5 quote which saw Thomas once again mocking Bates’ physical disabilities. Don’t worry, he does eventually grow up.

“Henry's perfect for you. You're just too stupid and stuck up to see it!”

One can’t blame Lady Mary Crawley for being hesitant to fall in love again, lest we remember her husband Matthew’s much talked about Season 3 death. So of course it was through Lady Edith’s venom that the audience, and maybe even Mary herself, realized that when it came to second husband Henry Talbot, Season 6 couldn’t have seen her heart in better hands.

"You're nervous because you're intelligent. Only stupid people are foolhardy."

Almost every workplace has its own father figure that rules the roost with honesty, and a bit of well-measured insult. With Season 4 seeing younger footmen added to Downton Abbey’s roster of servants, Mr. Carson had an opportunity to impart these wise words to the uncertain Alfred, whale also putting down his cocky counterpart Jimmy.

“Stop that noise. I can't hear myself die.”

Leave it to Violet Crawley to have a death that’s both tearjerking and a little bit snarky. As Downton Abbey: A New Era's ending showed her family saying their goodbyes on her death bed, Maggie Smith’s icon of grace and snark got in some final words that best summed up what she meant to those who loved her.

"Daisy, what’s happened to you? I said you could go for a drink of water, not a trip up the Nile."

Mrs. Patmore eventually does grow to trust Daisy in the kitchen of the Downton Estate. But those early days were quite the playground for their semi-antagonistic work relationship. On the plus side, the Patmore/Daisy double act did give us some pretty good analogies for when people are not holding up their end of the process.

“My goodness that was strong talk for an Englishman.”

Season 4’s fourth episode showed that even the great Robert Crawley isn’t above a proper self-own. Giving an impassioned speech to Mr. Bates about the intricacies of marriage, the Earl of Grantham is shocked even by himself, as seen in this kind of adorable moment.

"Oh no. You're far too busy, and I wouldn't want to push in."

It cannot be said enough that Lady Mary’s betrothal to fourth cousin Matthew Crawley started off on a rocky course. Though they eventually became a love story for us all to root for, Matthew was overheard by his future wife when he complained about being set up. Showing her own distaste, Lady Mary Crawley turned his own words against him after seeing him positively smitten upon first sight.

“If you really like an argument… we should see more of each other.”

Perhaps the key to Matthew and Mary Crawley's love affair is the fact that they both seemed to love the chase. Downton Abbey never gave them an easy road to travel, but it was never boring - especially with lines like these.

“I’m so looking forward to seeing your mother again. When I’m with her, I’m reminded of the virtues of the English.”

Don’t let Violet Crawley’s remark about the impending visit of Cora Crawley’s mother, Martha Levinson. Once she was reminded of the fact that her Season 3 premiere sparring partner was from America, she took the bait and delivered the punchline of, “Exactly.” Score another in the long, fruitful archives of the Dowager Countess’ cutting wit.

“Excuse me Mr. Moseley, I’ve got work to do. Even if you haven’t.”

If Thomas Barrow can be counted on for anything, it’s to never pass up an opportunity to better himself and confuse his enemies. This Season 3 moment saw that, as he used lovably clumsy co-worker Mr. Molesley to spread a rumor about Mrs. O’Brien’s potential departure. Satisfied with his work, Thomas issued this short statement and walked off… only to leave his female foe to clear up the confusion.

The so-called "Golden Age" or "Peak TV era" of television is broadly (and roughly) defined as the running from the debut of The Sopranos to the finale of Better Call Saul. This isn't a perfect description, as there are still some really amazing shows that continue part, like, say, Severance, just to name one. But, for this article, we're going to stick to those parameters. Without further ado, here is our list of some of the truly great shows from the Peak Era of television.

Game Of Thrones

We certainly couldn't make this list without the grand dragon on them all, HBO's Game of Thrones. Though the ending made a lot of people mad and you can argue that the show declined greatly in its last couple of seasons, it doesn't diminish the greatest of the show's early years. With some of the most shocking moments in TV history, the show was must-watch TV for all eight seasons.

Atlanta

Creator and star of Atlanta Donald Glover proved yet again that he is a once-in-a-lifetime talent. Over six years and four seasons the show and its star were showered with acclaim and industry awards, including multiple Golden Globes and Emmys. Not only did Glover win an Emmy for acting on the FX series, but he became the first African-American to win Best Director at the Emmys in the show's first season.

The West Wing

There aren't a lot of network TV shows on this list, but one that simply has to be is The West Wing. For seven seasons in the early 2000s, the NBC hit was one of the best shows in network history. Featuring a long list of stars that included Martin Sheen, Rob Lowe, Dulé Hill, Allison Janney, and many other cast members, The West Wing gave us all a look into all that government can be if we want it to be.

Lost

Pardon the pun, but it's fair to say that ABC's Lost lost its way towards the end. A confluence of events, including a writer's strike, left fans more than a little annoyed with the show's final couple of seasons, but those first few years were simply incredible. The show, which debuted in 2004, was one of the first shows that was ever described as "bingable" and with good reasons, the cliffhangers were amazing.

Mad Men

In a lot of ways, AMC's Mad Men kind of came out of nowhere. Set in the 1960s, it was unlike anything on TV at the time and the longer it went on, the better it got, which is rare for any show. It made a star out of Jon Hamm and fascinated viewers each week both with its wonderful storytelling and its look back at one of the most turbulent and interesting decades in American history.

The Office

In an era when sitcoms were evolving and struggling to keep up with their dramatic counterparts, The Office was one of the biggest shows of all time (that's what she said). Steve Carell's performance as the worst boss in the world became one of the most quotable and memed shows ever. It's true the NBC show did suffer some when Carell left after Season 7, the legacy of the show was well-established by then.

Downton Abbey

If you had bet on a period piece set on an opulent estate during Edwardian England would be a massive hit, most of the time, you'd lose. If you placed that bet on Downton Abbey, however, you'd have won big. There are no action sequences, stunts, or special effects. It's simply a wonderfully told story with fantastic characters played by excellent actors.

Better Call Saul

As a spinoff to another Peak TV era show, Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul found its own place in television history. It's a very different show from the show that birthed it, as it's a little more surreal and, frankly, funny. In some people's eyes, the AMC's show's finale in 2022 marks the end of an era.

The Wire

Famously, The Wire was never a monster hit for HBO. Certainly not on the level of The Sopranos, which ran during roughly the same few years. Still, it has maintained a spot at the top or near the top of almost any list of "Best TV Shows in History." The Wire plays out like a 60-hour movie or a great book. The character development is unrivaled and the storytelling is heartbreaking, uplifting, and frustrating (in a good way). There is no doubt that the show will be remembered as one of the best for a long, long time.

Breaking Bad

What can we write about Breaking Bad that hasn't already been written. Widely considered the best (or close to the best) TV show of all time, the Bryan Cranston-led show was wildly popular with both fans and critics alike. It is one of the darkest shows in history, but that never diminished the love for it.

Narcos

Netflix landed itself a massive hit with Narcos in 2015. Wagner Moura, who played the kingpin Pablo Escobar stole the show with his uncanny and incredible performance as the notorious drug lord and Pedro Pascal found a new level of fame as one of the DEA agents trying to bring Escobar down. The show's third season, which shifted away from the Escobar story after the character's death wasn't quite on the level of the first two, but the show was popular enough to launch a spinoff, Narcos: Mexico, which ran for three seasons as well.

The Sopranos

The Sopranos' debut on HBO in January of 1999 marks the unofficial beginning of the Golden Age of Television - or at least the modern Golden Age. The production value, storytelling, and acting on the show were unlike anything anyone had ever seen. the characters were fully formed almost from the moment they first hit the screen and the story that unfolded, about a mafia boss played by the late, great James Gandolfini trying to keep both his crime family and his actual family together was simply unparalleled. Right down to the end and the show's much-talked-about finale.

Grey's Anatomy

As one of the longest-running prime-time shows in history, Grey's Anatomy has run for almost the entire era of "peak TV." Since its debut in 2005 and over more than 20 seasons and 400 episodes, the show has just kept chugging along with a devoted fanbase who stayed with it over the decades and though the endless cast changes can be frustrating, the show is remarkable.

24

One of the very first "bingable" shows would have to be 24. The Kiefer Sutherland-led action show from Fox kept viewers on the edge of their seats for nine seasons, one TV movie (24: Redemption), and a couple of spin-offs. It all made 24 one of the most bankable franchises of the era.

Six Feet Under

The early 2000s were an incredible era for HBO. Along with The Sopranos and The Wire, the network had another one of the best shows of the era with Six Feet Under. The show told the story of the Fisher family and their trials and turbulations running the family business, a funeral home. Mix in some supernatural elements and HBO had a unique hit on their hands.

Modern Family

Network sitcoms that enter the general cultural zeitgeist are few and far between these days. Certainly not like they were in their heyday of the 1970s and '80s. There are still a few that break through though, like Modern Family. For a time, it seemed as those everyone in the country was watching the ups and downs of the most dysfunctional and wonder families in TV history. For 11 seasons, the ABC hit dominated the ratings and is still a hit on streaming years after airing its finale in 2020.

Orange Is the New Black

Orange Is the New Black wasn't the first "prestige TV" show from Netflix, but it's safe to say it solidified Netflix's spot among the biggest players in the industry. For seven seasons over six years, the prison comedy-drama told the semi-autobiographical story of Piper Kerman, whose book of the same name was the basis for the show. Kerman spent a year in prison and many of the stories in the show reflected or told the experiences she had while in jail.

Deadwood

Many of the best Westerns on film came out many decades ago. On TV, there were big hits in the '50s and '60s like Gunsmoke and Bonanza, but the best Western television show of the 21st Century, Deadwood has almost nothing in common with any of those. The show was dark, crass, and unlike anything else on TV. The verbose language and insane moments made must-see TV at the time. Sadly it was never quite as popular as it should have been and that made for some herky-jerky starts-and-stops between seasons, but the show never dipped in quality.

Friday Night Lights

"Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose," from a speech by Coach Taylor (Kyle Chandler) in Friday Night Lights has become part of the television canon, just as the show has. Based on the movie starring Billy Bob Thornton about the spectacle that is high school football in Texas, the show has outshined its source material in almost every way.

Veep

Julia Louis-Dreyfus is unique. She not only starred in the biggest sitcom of the 1990s, Seinfeld, but she's followed it up with two more hot shows. First in the '00s she won awards for The New Adventures of Old Christine and then in the 2010s had maybe her best performance as the hapless, power-hungry Vice President on HBO's Veep for which she won an incredible seven Emmys in a row.

House Of Cards

In 2013 Netflix loudly announced it was ready to be a player in the Peak Age of TV with House Of Cards, starring Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright. Based on a British show of the same name, the show highlighted the darkest corners of politics and despite the show losing some steam when Kevin Spacey got caught in the middle of a serious legal battle forcing him off the show and effectively ending his career, it still deserves recognition for all six seasons it ran for.

The Walking Dead

Over 11 seasons and 177 episodes, it's fair to say that not every moment on The Walking Dead was peak TV. That doesn't tell the whole story though, because when The Walking Dead was great, it was really great. The AMC zombie show was a ratings monster and cultivated one of the most dedicated fanbases ever, which led to multiple spinoffs that will seemingly run forever.

Boardwalk Empire

When Boardwalk Empire premiered on HBO in 2009, it came with a lot of hype as the mind behind it, Terrence Winter, had been of the key creative minds behind The Sopranos. While Boardwalk Empire never quite reached the lofty heights of The Sopranos, it was still one of the best shows on TV in its time.

Sons Of Anarchy

Like a few other shows on this list, FX's Sons Of Anarchy isn't a perfect show. There were some ill-advised plot decisions, like moving the gang to Ireland for a while, but like those other shows, when SOA was good, it was really, really good. The characters became our own dysfunctional family who we laughed, cried, and died with over the show's seven seasons. A spinoff, Mayans M.C., wasn't as good, but it also found a fanbase and lasted for five seasons.

The Americans

Of all the shows on this list, the one that maybe flew under the radar more than most has to be The Americans. The FX show was just... cool. It was a spy thriller that brought the Cold War back to U.S. television. Set in the '80s and starring Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys, the show ran for six great seasons and never really fell off as so many other shows do.

30 Rock

How do you follow up an incredible run as a star and head writer on SNL? Well, if you're as talented and funny as Tina Fey, you create one of the most beloved sitcoms of the 21st Century with 30 Rock. If nothing else, the show left us with the important bit of advice that you should never go with a hippie to a second location.

Justified

FX's Justified updated the Western for the 21st Century. Based on a book for Elmore Leonard and starring Timothy Olyphant as a 21st-century lawman with with his heart in the 19th Century, Justified was as noir as you'd expect from a story by Leonard and the acting is, across the board, fantastic.

True Detective

One of the darkest shows during the Peak Era of TV had to be True Detective, especially the first season. The unconventional storytelling was brought to life brilliantly by stars Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson and while the show was still great for a couple of more seasons, it really was that first season that stood out and above the others.

Succession

On HBO's Succession, the entire Roy family are all awful people. It's a show entirely made of characters we love to hate. We hated them so much, we couldn't wait to tune in each week to see what awful things they would do and it made the show unique and magical in that way.

Homeland

Showtime's Homeland started with a bang in its first season, or rather, almost ended its first season with a bang that never happened. The spy thriller starring Claire Danes and Damian Lewis was the ultimate nail-biter as no one really knew how the season would end. While the end of that first season was probably the pinnacle of the show, it ended up airing for seven more excellent seasons.

Battlestar Galactica

Interestingly, though there are some exceptions, Sci-Fi wasn't a huge part of the era. One of those exceptions was Battlestar Galactica, a reboot of the old series from the 1970s. The new version was a mystery wrapped in a space adventure and featured some of the craziest twists of any show from the time.

Barry

It's always cool to see an actor known primarily for their comedic talents take on a more serious role and Bill Hader in Barry is a perfect example. Sure, there is some dark comedy in the show of course, but, especially as the show went on, the character played by Hader was as complex as any character we've seen on TV and Hader is amazing.

Sometimes, there are moments on television that truly break the internet – whether in a good way or a bad way. Sometimes, there are moments from the past (before the time of social media) when a moment so big in a television show spreads by word of mouth. But no matter how you hear about it, it rocks your world — here are the TV moments from huge television shows that fit the bill of that.

Oh, and also, spoiler alert for SO many TV shows down below.

The Red Wedding (Game Of Thrones)

If you want to talk about the most shocking Game of Thrones moments, I'm pretty sure The Red Wedding is high on that list. It was everywhere when it happened, and I'm sure that by the end of the series, people still agreed that the Season 3 moment is genuinely what tops the list of most in the show.

Max Somehow Surviving Vecna Through Music And Friends (Stranger Things)

You could not escape "Running Up That Hill" in the summer of 2022. What a time to be alive. No matter where you went on social media, it was always about Max running out Vecna in his strange alternate dark world, trying to look towards the light of her friends. Ugh, I get chills every time I think about it.

Cassie And Maddy's Fight (Really That Whole Play) (Euphoria)

Okay, so in comparison to many other spots on this list, this moment is hilarious in the way it rocked the world. Euphoria Season 2 had a lot of moments that worked well and others that didn't, but there was no other big one than Cassie and Maddy fighting each other on stage during that play – heck, Lexi's play in itself inspired so many memes and parodies online. It was indeed a time.

Wednesday's Dance (Wednesday)

Wednesday is one of the best shows on Netflix to binge-watch. Still, I can almost guarantee that most of you remember her dance in one of the episodes – one that wasn't even themed to "Bloody Mary" by Lady Gaga but exploded everywhere on the internet. And now, we can't get enough of it.

Hershel's Death (The Walking Dead)

There are so many heartbreaking deaths in The Walking Dead, but I'm pretty sure Hershel's death is high up there. I mean, I think we had a feeling it was all coming — The Walking Dead was known at the time to take characters out as if they were nothing every few episodes. But man, it still hurt, and we talked about it for ages to come.

When Joe Kills His Love (You)

There are so many crazy moments in You that I could talk about, but one that genuinely had the internet in a chokehold for a while was when Joe killed Love. Everyone loved Love (his wife) in the series because it felt like she was such a perfect counterpart to him. But I suppose he couldn't handle it – granted, she also tried to kill him, but crazy=crazy, right?

Poussey's Sudden Death (Orange Is The New Black)

The Orange is the New Black cast is filled to the brim with incredibly talented actors, but one that I wasn't expecting to leave the show was Samira Wiley, whose character, Poussey, was killed off in a prison riot in the show's Season 4 finale. It was a heartbreaking moment that was so sudden—and it came at a time when the world was really at a political divide, so it was double the heartbreak.

Villanelle Breaks Into Eve's House For The First Time (Killing Eve)

This show is really filled to the brim with intense moments, but the first time that Villanelle breaks into Eve’s house in Killing Eve is a major one that was huge. Nothing major happens during this scene, but the tension is enough to cut with a knife, and it makes for excellent television for this cat-mouse game.

The Opening Scene Of The Boys (The Boys)

I mean, duh. I love The Boys just as much as the next person – it's one of the best Amazon Prime shows for a reason. But there is literally no bigger moment in this series that makes the internet talk than the very first scene when we literally see someone explode from the inside out because of a literal fast-human running through them. Disgusting.

When We Find Out Who Nell Has Always Been (The Haunting Of Hill House)

I could talk about Mike Flanagan's horror shows for hours on end, but my favorite will always be The Haunting of Hill House, just because it's a beautiful story. However, the moment that everyone was in a chokehold was no doubt when Nell, the youngest daughter, found out that the person who had been haunting her for her entire life was actually just herself in the future – the bent-neck lady. What chills.

Walt Watches Hank Die In The Desert (Breaking Bad)

Breaking Bad is one of the best TV shows of the 21st century thus far, and there are plenty of moments I could point to. Walt, watching Hank die in the desert in one of the last episodes of the series, will always sit up there, and the internet would not stop talking about this. The episode itself, "Ozymandias," is considered one of the best TV episodes of all time.

When Fonzie Jumped The Shark (Happy Days)

I had to put this here somehow. The moment is so big that an entire catchphrase was made around it. When the Fonz jumped the shark in Happy Days, it coined the response, "Oh, that show jumped the shark," meaning the show ran out of so many ideas that it came up with a ridiculous one to keep it going. Hilarious.

Glenn's Death (The Walking Dead)

Yeah, I have to put Glenn on here. We can't not talk about Glenn. The moment he was killed in The Walking Dead, many fans stopped watching the show. It was a momentous death that really shook the world and all who enjoyed the classic zombie series, and dare I say, TWD was never quite the same again.

Lexi Getting Shot (The 100)

While I do believe that The 100 is one of the best CW shows out there, I will never forgive it for killing Lexi, this kick-butt warrior commander of the Grounders and how, when she and Clarke finally got together, she was shot by a gun no less. Despicable – and the internet agreed.

Wanda Becoming The Scarlet Witch (WandaVision)

You know, sometimes I think about WandaVision, and it feels like a fever dream because everyone was so into this show. And, of course, when Wanda finally became the Scarlet Witch at the very end of the miniseries, and we see her fully embrace her power – oh yeah, we were into this and could not stop talking about it.

Discovering Who Hodor Really Is (Game Of Thrones)

For most of Game of Thrones, we always thought of Hodor as just this bumbling giant full of love who would always be there to protect Bran, but it turns out his backstory is much darker than we thought. And when we all found out the reason why he says "Hodor" – precisely because of Bran and everything else – it's just heartbreaking and something we always talk about.

Bill And Frank's Backstory (The Last Of Us)

As a huge fan of The Last of Us video games, I could not approve of them changing up Bill and Frank's love story more than what they did in the show. While we barely got a scratch of them in the game, we were given a romance that truly shook the internet and had people crying for hours afterward—myself included. I can still remember all the reaction videos.

When Ned Stark Loses His Head (Game Of Thrones)

Of course, I have to put Ned losing his head here. It wouldn't be a list of big TV moments without it. Let me tell you that it's very hard to surprise my father, who is a TV junkie, and when Ned's head was cut off, he legit did not believe it for a good few days until everyone began talking about it. It's just one of those moments that alters your brain chemistry.

Walt Watching Jane Die (Breaking Bad)

Oh, Breaking Bad. The show broke my heart over and over again, no matter what the time of my life was like. While Jane wasn't necessarily good for Jesse (and neither was he to her, really), watching Jane overdose and then seeing Walt do absolutely nothing as he stands there and watches still hits me even now, knowing what happens. And most people out there feel the same way.

Kang Sae-byeok Dies (Squid Game)

It felt like everyone and their mother was watching Squid Game when it was released, and let me tell you, there were edits everywhere on Sae-byeok. I could not escape this woman. But, the moment everyone talked about was when she actually ended up dying towards the end, despite being one of the final three – by a stab wound, nonetheless. It still makes me sad thinking about it, as it did the rest of the world.

Klaus Kills Jenna (The Vampire Diaries)

For a time, it felt like The Vampire Diaries was legit everywhere, no matter where I turned. But one of the moments that everyone talked about was when Klaus killed Jenna in order to break a hybrid curse that made his werewolf side dormant. Everything about it was well done and definitely made the internet talk.

Buffy's Mother Suddenly Dying (Buffy The Vampire Slayer)

Before the internet was as huge as it is now, people still found a way to talk about plenty of crazy moments, and one was in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, when all of a sudden, out of nowhere, Buffy's mother dies. It's so sudden and makes you blink in shock before you realize what the heck is going on – and it was all anyone could talk about with this series.

Finding Out Walt Poisoned Brock (Breaking Bad)

There are plenty of instances in Breaking Bad where you find out that Walt is actually a terrible human being. One is when we see that he did indeed poison Brock to get Jesse in line—mainly because of the Lily-of-the-Valley plant that he has in his backyard. This is truly despicable and something we all talked about.

Jon Snow's Death (Game Of Thrones)

This moment had people theorizing for months about whether Jon was truly alive or dead. How could he just be dead? Like legit, everyone and their mother could not stop talking about him and whether he was gone or not. Thankfully, it was resolved not that long after, but man, it was a time to be alive on the internet.

Sybil Passing After Her Daughter's Birth (Downton Abbey)

I mean, it's sad whenever anyone passes away from childbirth, as it's a real-life thing that can happen to anyone. But I think what made this moment such a big one online is that it was just so heartbreaking. Watching someone as life leaves their eyes and knowing there is nothing you can do about it – it breaks your heart.

Ted's First Major Panic Attack (Ted Lasso)

As one of the best TV shows on Apple TV+, there is a lot to love about Ted Lasso and its titular character, Ted. But I think we all started to love him even more when we found out that Ted actually suffers from panic attacks – and we see that first real one at a club. And, out of nowhere, Rebecca comes to comfort him. Fans everywhere could not get enough – and it made this show that much better.

Walt's Death (Breaking Bad)

I mean, we all had a feeling that Walt was going to die at the end of Breaking Bad – he had a death sentence with his cancer regardless at that point – but actually seeing him die and fall to the ground in the Breaking Bad finale was all over the internet, and everyone talked about it for hours and theorized if he actually did die – which, newsflash, he did.

Jinx And Ekko's Fight (Arcane)

There are some tremendous adult-animated shows on Netflix, and one I love to point to is Arcane. There are plenty of rocking TV moments on there I could point to, but man, Jinx and Ekko's fight takes the cake. The amount of edits, moments, and videos I've seen of this fight, in particular from Season 1 on that bridge, has seriously messed me up—but in a good way. Don't ever stop talking about it.

Rhaegal's Death (Game Of Thrones)

Look, I knew that when Daenerys lost Viserion, it was only going to be the beginning of death for these dragons, but it still shocked the heck out of me – and millions of other people – when we saw Rhaegal suddenly get speared out of the sky and fall to his death. Like, my GOD – give a girl a warning next time!

The Rumbling (Attack On Titan)

I quite literally can't think of another modern-day anime that has made as much of an impact as Attack on Titan. While I could point out so many moments from that series, the moment Eren begins the Rumbling sits with me, as well as many others. It was the moment everyone knew what was going to happen and the pain we were going to experience. It still gets to me even now.

Rue Fighting Her Mother And Sister (Euphoria)

Zendaya is a great actress, and honestly, watching her in this scene in Season 2 of Euphoria is just proof of that. She had everyone talking about the moment she had a breakdown against her mother and sister and fought against them to find her drugs. It was powerful and emotional and had you on the edge of your seat.

Rick Is Taken (The Walking Dead)

While The Walking Dead wasn't at the heights it once was at this point, everyone was talking about when Rick left the show in Season 9 of The Walking Dead – or, instead, Andrew Lincoln left the series in a blaze of glory before we see that Rick was taken up in one of those mysterious helicopters. I mean, it still led to his TV series in The Walking Dead universe years later, but still, a moment we all talked about nonetheless.

What moments are you always going to remember as instances that rocked your world? All I know is that I'm just waiting for the next significant moment – and for the emotional trauma that is bound to follow.

The end is almost here Downton Abbey fans. More and more reports are coming out that the upcoming threequel film set for the 2025 movie schedule is intended to be the grand finale of Julian Fellowes’ resilient hit drama. The most recent updates saw producer Gareth Neame teasing how Downton Abbey 3’s tribute to Dame Maggie Smith was not only fitting but sadly organic. Now, series star Michelle Dockery has provided more comments on that subject, as well as how making this “beautiful” third film differed from the previous entries.

While speaking with Collider about the upcoming action thriller Flight Risk, those press rounds have seen the actor behind the iconic Lady Mary Talbot (née Crawley) contributing to the buzz for this upcoming Downton project too. Despite the emotional weight and responses to Dame Smith’s 2024 passing, it lent to the set of Downton Abbey 3. Ms. Dockery’s experience on this new picture is partially summed up by this remark:

Thankfully, it's not all sad news when it comes to this respectful continuation. Along with the returning Downton legacy cast members come some new and returning faces. Teased in Downton Abbey 3’s confirmation announcement, we’re going to see the likes of Joely Richardson, Alessandro Nivola, and Simon Russell Beale making their franchise debuts.

But we’ll also be seeing esteemed actor Paul Giamatti returning to the fold in his role as Harold Levinson - brother to Cora Crawley (Elizabeth McGovern), as well as Lady Mary’s maternal uncle. Michelle Dockery certainly had something to say about that, amidst these remarks on how the cinematic veteran and newbie alike treated this endeavor:

I don’t know if I’m ready for the second ending to the Crawley family’s legacy, even if there’s a tease that somehow leads us into a spin-off occupied by a future generation. I guess that’s why the cast has been seeding the ground with the expectation that Downton Abbey 3 will probably be the final chapter.

We’ll have to see what the marketing campaign gives us in terms of details, as the September 12 release date is so far away that we’ll have plenty to scour between now and then. In the meantime, if you feel the need to simultaneously break your heart and lift your spirits with Downton Abbey, all six seasons and A New Era are now streaming through the invitation of a Peacock subscription.

And if you want to see Michelle Dockery battle with Mark Wahlberg in mid-air, like they did in the Flight Risk trailer, that movie is headed to theaters starting January 24th.

Maybe Downton's finale could spell a career in action movies for Ms. Dockery in the years to come. However, before all that, we'll get to see her one last time in Downton Abbey 3.

Almost every show that goes for multiple seasons eventually does the thing fans dread the most: the jump the shark. Not every show jumps the shark, but it's usually inevitable for long-running shows.

Jumping the shark can mean a few different things. Sometimes, it's the creative pinnacle of the show and everything that comes after feels like coasting. Sometimes it's a moment so absurd, that there is simply no way for the show to ever recover from it. Here is our list of some of the best shows and the moment they jumped the shark.

The Principal And The Pauper - The Simpsons

When a show has been on the air as long as The Simpsons, it wouldn't be surprising to see fans arguing over when it actually jumped the shark. However, for The Simpsons, it's usually agreed upon that "The Principal And The Pauper" is the moment all was lost. Fans hate it, cast members hate it... it's just... hated. It's hated for ruining the canon of the show and creating a fake Skinner.

Cousin Oliver Joins The Bradys - The Brady Bunch

Another way people sometimes refer to the jump-the-shark moment is by calling it the "Cousin Oliver" moment. That's when a new, younger, and cuter cast member is added to a family sitcom when the original kids get too old. It's easy to point to the Cousin Oliver moment on The Brady Bunch since it's the genesis of the term.

The Connors Win The Lottery - Roseanne

The charm of the Connors on Roseanne is their working-class family dynamics. It was something that was rarely seen on TV in those days and it made the "real" to fans of the show. Then they won the lottery and all of a sudden everything that made them real was gone. Womp womp.

Joey And Rachel - Friends

Friends really started getting ridiculous when Rachel and Joy started hooking up behind Ross' back. Two couples within the group of six was enough, no one needed a third. Luckily it didn't last long and the show recovered a little from it, but it was definitely the beginning of the end.

Matthew Crawley's Death - Downton Abbey

One of the things that made Downton Abbey so interesting in the beginning was the dynamic between the established family at Downton with the heir they never knew in Matthew Crawley. When things were finally getting resolved, Matthew was suddenly killed off in a car crash and we had to start all over again. The show never recovered to its early heights.

Jim And Pam Get Married - The Office

It was the moment everyone was waiting for. Jim and Pam finally got married! We all laughed and cried tears of joy. The problem? Where does The Office from there? Yeah, it seems no one really knew and even though the show soldiered on, it never quite regained the magic it had before that wonderful moment.

Season Nine Was A Dream - Dallas

Not only was the big reveal at the end of Season 9 that Bobby Ewing was alive and the whole season had been a dream the moment that Dallas jumped the shark, it made fans furious. Everyone felt cheated and in a way, they were. It's always a mistake to pretend to kill off a character.

Jefferson D'Arcy Moves In - Married... With Children

Ted McGinley is a great actor with an unfortunate reputation of being one reason shows jump the shark. TV fans point to shows like Magnum PI and The Love Boat as examples, but the most famous example is when he joined the cast as D'Arcy's new husband on Married... With Children. For lack of any better moment, we'll go with this one.

Sam Sells The Bar - Cheers

A show jumping the shark in the first episode of a season is very rare, but that's what Cheers did. Season 5 of Cheers ends with Diane (Shelley Long) leaving Boston, never to return. Season 6 opens with Sam having sold the bar to sail around the world. The show might not have gone off the rails with Diane leaving, but Sam selling the bar ended the golden age of the show.

Zoey Barlett Getting Kidnapped - The West Wing

One of the best cliffhangers in TV history comes at the end of Season 4 of The West Wing when Zoey Bartlett (Elisabeth Moss) is kidnapped. It's a moment that writer Aaron Sorkin set up way back in Season 1. It was the pinnacle of the show and after Sorkin left at the end of the season, the show really struggled to reach its early heights. IT never really did.

Negan Kills Glenn And Abraham - The Walking Dead

Negan is the ultimate baddie in The Walking Dead and once he was introduced and he murdered Glenn and Abraham, there was simply nowhere for the show to go to reach a more emotional peak. That was it. The show continued on, but it never came close to that moment ever again.

McNulty's Serial Killer - The Wire

The Wire didn't jump the shark until its final system, but when McNulty invents the serial killer, suddenly a show famous for being grounded in reality went way off the rails. It's still a point of contention with fans of the show and it always will be. It's not one of McNulty's best moments, that's for sure.

West Beverly Grads Go to College - Beverly Hills, 90210

A show about high school, even a classic like Beverly Hills, 90210 is always going to struggle when the main cast graduate. 90210 did an okay job making the transition and it had more seasons after high school than before, but it was never as good as it was in the first three seasons. Donna Martin Graduates!

Fonzi Jumping The Shark - Happy Days

You knew this one had to be on the list, right? The Fonz jumping the shark while wearing his leather jacket in Happy Days is the origin of the term and one of the most infamous moments in all of TV history.

Not Penny's Boat - Lost

Lost is one of the most controversial shows in history. Fans love it, and those same fans also hate it. Almost no one thinks the show ended well, but everyone agrees that the moment we learn that the boat supposedly coming to save the castaways isn't what they think it is is the creative peak of the show.

Sam Joins The Drummonds - Diff'rent Strokes

In one of the most famous examples of the "Cousin Oliver Effect," Diff'rent Strokes introduced Sam, a new kid living with the Drummonds. The show was simply never the same again.

John Dutton Becomes Governor - Yellowstone

Yellowstone was never a show that was grounded in much reality, but when a sociopath and criminal like John Dutton (Kevin Costner) gets elected governor, it's a bridge too far. Everyone's favorite TV anti-hero was halfway believable as a rich guy fighting off everyone from his land, but the governor? Come on. Making his first speech with a black hat on is a little on the nose, too.

The Cylon Reveal - Battlestar Galactica

Make no mistake, the moment of the Cylon reveal on Battlestar Galactica is an all-time great TV moment. The problem is, the show lost its way a little as so much had been building for that moment.

Spock's Brain - Star Trek (TOS)

There honestly might not be a moment when the original series of Star Trek jumped the shark, but if you have to pick one, it's probably the "Spock's Brain" episode. It's a favorite for some, but it's not without its detractors, who call it the cheesiest episode of the show.

Leaving Westworld - Westworld

This may be the most devastating jump-the-shark moment on this list. Westworld's first season is universally praised. In the end, when the show "leaves" Westworld it goes off the rails and the next two seasons are a disaster. It truly never recovered.

House Destroys Cuddy's House - House

The balance between genius and chaos is what made House a great show. Dr. House (Hugh Laurie) was on the edge. It's when he went over the edge by crashing a car into Dr. Cuddy's house, the show never got back to where it was before, when it was truly great.

The Gang Goes To Ireland - Sons Of Anarchy

Sons Of Anarchy was always a show that was over-the-top and ridiculous. It was part of the Charm of the motorcycle gang from Charming. About halfway through Season 3, a bunch of the gang takes off for Northern Ireland for... some reason. It feels like such a desperate attempt to breathe life into the show when it didn't really need it yet.

Frank Underwood Becomes President - House Of Cards

The best thing about House Of Cards is watching Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey) and his desperate craving for power. When he finally reaches the pinnacle, the motivation is lost and that is reflected. Spacey's legal problems ultimately spelled the end of the show, for all intents and purposes, but it jumped the shark long before that.

A Different Darren - Bewitched

Replacing a popular actor is difficult, especially if it's in an existing role. Dick York, the original Darren on Bewitched was forced to leave the show because of medical issues, and a new actor, Dick Sergeant stepped in. Sergeant was great in the role, and it's not his fault the show faltered, but it just never regained the steam it had before York got sick.

Laverne and Shirley Move To LA - Laverne & Shirley

There are a ton of TV sitcoms set in Los Angeles, but very few are set in Milwaukee. What made Laverne & Shirley so charming was that midwest vibe it had when the two titular characters worked in a brewery. In Season 6, everyone ups and moves to LA and the show's charm was sucked out of it almost immediately. It stumbled along for another few seasons, but it was never the same.

Topher Grace Leaving - That '70s Show

Some shows can survive the main character leaving, but some just can't. That '70s Show is an example of the latter when Topher Grace, who played Eric Foreman, left the show. Though it was an ensemble cast, Eric was really the core of the whole friend group and they just never found the chemistry the earlier seasons had.

Victorian Sherlock - Sherlock

It was a bold decision by the creators of Sherlock to set an episode in Victorian London, the true time period for Sherlock Holmes. It's a decent episode, but the problem was that what made the show great was that it was a very modern and very contemporary take on the Sherlock Holmes stories. By setting it in the late 19th Century it was more like every other adaption of the Holmes stories, and the show lost some of its charm.

The Elevator Drop - LA Law

Rosalind Shays (Diana Muldaur) on L.A. Law was one of the great TV villains of the 1980s. Still, her ridiculous death by falling down an empty elevator shaft was so silly that it spelled the end of the show. The show wouldn't end for another few seasons, it felt like such a cheap end after she had started a relationship with another character, softening her character.

Leo Joins The Cast - Growing Pains

Usually, the actor in a "Cousin Oliver" moment ends up living in obscurity. That is not what happened with the Growing Pains Cousin Oliver moment when the family invited a homeless kid named Luke Brower to live with them. Bower was played by none other than Leonardo DiCaprio. Wow. Still, it didn't save the show from getting canceled soon after.

Song Beneath the Song - Grey's Anatomy

The 18th episode of Season 7 of Grey's Anatomy was... a musical. There are a lot of ways of looking at the episode, called "Song Beneath the Song." Some love and some loathe it. Either way, it's a classic jump-the-shark moment, even for a show that used music brilliantly.

Even the best shows have their fan-favorite seasons. The seasons that most fans are perfect, or at least close to perfect. It's hard to judge based on reviews and even on Rotten Tomato rankings which one fans think is the creme de la creme of their favorite show, so we looked at Ranker, Rotten Tomatoes, IMDB, and other spots to nail down just which season of these classic shows fans love the most.

The Office - Season 2

Season 2 holds the top spot for The Office. That makes a lot of sense as it's really when the classic sitcom came out from under the shadow of the British show on which it was based and found its own footing. Michael Scott (Steve Carrell) separated himself from David Brent (Ricky Gervais) and the rest is history.

The Sopranos - Season 3

The Sopranos is one of the few shows that most fans agree doesn't really have any bad seasons. Some are better than others, sure, but, especially out of the first four, how do you separate them? Season 3 is as good a choice as any as Junior gets out of prison and begins his power grab against Tony, Tony's mother is at her worst, and it ends with one of the most devastating murders in the show's run.

Atlanta - Season 1

It's no surprise here that the first season of Atlanta sits on top. The show's four-season run is great, but it never quite matched the incredible impact or lofty heights of that first magical season. It won a slew of awards in the first year, something it also never matched again.

Seinfeld - Season 5

"The Puffy Shirt," "The Marine Biologist," "The Dinner Party," and "The Hamptons" are just a few of the stone-cold classic episodes of Seinfeld in Season 5. This is a show where almost any season could be the favorite as there are classic episodes in all of them, even the first. But Season 5 seems to be the one fans love the most.

Cheers - Season 4

As much as hardcore fans of Cheers love Coach (Nicholas Colasanto), it's not surprising to see the first season with Woody (Woody Harrelson) rank at the top. Season 4 is when the show really came into its own and became the ratings monster it would remain for the rest of its run on NBC in the '80s.

The Wire - Season 4

This is one choice that some fans will definitely disagree with. Not because Season 4 of The Wire is bad, because, oh boy, it certainly is great, but because Season 3 is at least as good if not better in the eyes of many fans, with a bunch of the best episodes. Still, the season following the kids in school comes out on top here, as viewers are introduced to a whole new generation of corner boys and future crew members.

The West Wing - Season 2

It's hard to pick just one season out of the first four for The West Wing. What probably puts this one over the edge is the season finale, "Two Cathedrals," which is one of the best episodes of any television show, ever. The whole season is incredibly good, but the ending is magical.

Gilmore Girls - Season 3

Season 3 of Gilmore Girls hits the top spot for the WB favorite likely pushed to the top for moments like the big reveal of Jess' father towards the end of the season and other milestones throughout the season.

The Simpsons - Season 4

This one is sure to spur some debate. The general consensus of fans of The Simpsons is that basically Seasons 2 through 8 or 9 are basically perfect. Still, it's easy to see why Season 4 won out here, with classic episodes like "Marge vs. the Monorail," "Homer the Heretic," "Duffless," "Mr. Plow," "Last Exit to Springfield," and "Whacking Day," which has a number of the best quotes from The Simpsons.

This Is Us - Season 1

It's hard to argue that the first season of This Is Us isn't the best. The first episode ends with an incredible twist and throughout the rest of the season, audiences get, well, emotionally connected, to the characters in a way that few other shows have ever matched. The tears of later seasons would have never happened without that incredible foundation.

Saturday Night Live - Season 15

How do fans choose one season of a show that has been on the air as long as Saturday Night Live? Surely every generation has its own favorite, but Season 15 is as good a choice as any with a powerhouse cast that includes the great Phil Hartman, Dana Carvey, Jan Hooks, and Mike Myers in his first season as a full cast member.

Breaking Bad - Season 5

Yet another show on this list that has multiple amazing seasons that could be in contention here. There have been very few shows that have ended as well as Breaking Bad so it tracks that its final season would come out on top here. Even the Guinness Book of World Records named it the "most acclaimed" series of all time after it ended.

Friends - Season 5

No doubt that hardcore fans of Friends will have something to say here, but most will agree that if Season 5 isn't the best, it's one of the best. The season starts with the aftermath of Ross saying "Rachel," and ends with their drunken wedding in Vegas, all while Monica and Chandler's relationship grows into more than just hooking up.

Game Of Thrones - Season 4

This one was pretty surprising as well, as most might expect Season 3, with The Red Wedding to rank at the top, but maybe the death of Joffrey at The Purple Wedding and the rise of Daenerys as a conquerer is too much to resist. Not to mention the fight between Oberyn and The Mountain. And Tyrion killing Tywin... Okay, yeah it makes sense.

Abbott Elementary - Season 1

Abbott Elementary burst onto the scene as the freshest and best network sitcom in years. It won every award it could after that first season and while it's remained consistently great, it's never matched those early heights when it was all so new and so funny.

It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia - Season 5

Sometimes it feels like It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia has been on since the dawn of time, and it kind of has. There have been many great seasons, dozens of great episodes, and even more legendary scenes and lines. For fans, it reached its zenith in Season 5, but it's not like they've turned away from it in later seasons.

24 - Season 5

The most impressive thing about 24 is how it continued to raise the stakes season after season. Just when it seemed like it couldn't get any better, Season 5 came out and blew everyone away. It cleaned up at the Emmys and it's easy to see why as it was Jack's most exciting adventure, and at times the most devastating, of his brutal career at CTU.

Slow Horses - Season 3

Slow Horses is one of the outliers on this list because the seasons are so short, only six episodes in each, but they pack a ton into those six. Every season of the show has been acclaimed, with most having scores of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. Still, Season 3 ranks best for fans, with Season 2 right behind it.

Sherlock - Season 2

The first two seasons of Sherlock are two of the best seasons of TV ever, even if they are only three episodes each. Season 2 ended with one of the all-time great cliffhangers - or cliff-fallers as it may be. In the third and final episode, "The Reichenbach Fall," Sherlock takes a dive off a building to outwit Moriarty, and viewers are left wondering about his fate.

Lost - Season 1

Lost is one of the most dissected, discussed, and disagreed over shows in TV history. One thing that almost no one argues over though, is how great the show's first season was. From the moment Jack's eyes open in the first episode to Jack and Locke looking down at the blown-open hatch in the last scene, it's a white-knuckle ride that takes viewers on one of the greatest adventures ever.

Grey's Anatomy - Season 6

Well, of all the seasons of Grey's Anatomy, and there are many, it's easy to understand why Season 6, which ends with a cliffhanger when multiple characters were shot in a mass shooting at the hospital. It was the peak of the show.

Mad Men - Season 4

Season 4 of Mad Men is really the downward descent into booze and bills for Don Draper as he continues to struggle with who he really is. It marked a shift in the decade in which it takes place as the wholesome early sixties start to get darker, just like Don's life. Of course fans are going to love this season most.

Blue Bloods - Season 1

Despite its controversial canceling, Blue Bloods has a ton of hardcore fans. Those fans still love Season 1 the most, which is understandable as it really sets the tone for the show and for the dynamics of the Reagan family and includes all the original members, some of whom left the show years before it ended.

Black Mirror - Season 3

Yet another show on the list that is sure to have people arguing over which season really is best. The consensus seems to be that Season 3, Black Mirror's first on Netflix is the best, though that may just be because of exposure. To be sure though, it's a great season with some powerful episodes that resonate, as well as some of the more controversial ones among fans.

Downton Abbey - Season 1

Downton Abbey is not a show anyone would have expected to gain such a large and loyal following, given that it's a period drama set in Edwardian England. But fans it has and passionate they are, especially for the show's excellent first season when we meet the upstairs and the downstairs parts of the Crawley family.

House - Season 1

Medical Procedurals often go on and on, but House is a show that only works with its main character so when Hugh Laurie was ready to go, so was the show. There is no question it felt like it was just running through the motions at the end, but in the beginning, there was no other show like it and that's what makes its first Season the fan favorite.

Dexter - Season 4

Season 4 of Dexter was unquestionably the peak of the show. The race to find the Trinity Killer was in full swing and by the end of the devastating season, viewers learned that maybe there was a killer out there more resourceful, more evil, and more cunning than Dexter as it ends with one of the most tragic seasons in TV history.

Luther - Season 1

Idris Elba got everyone's attention as Stringer Bell on The Wire but he proved he was more than a one-hit wonder with Season 1 of Luther. He could play a cop with loose morals as well as he could a criminal and we loved him for it.

True Detective - Season 1

Until the fourth season of True Detective, called True Detective: Night Country, there was no question that Season 1 would be at the top of fan favorites. Even now, with the show back on its feet after a couple of misses, Season 1 still wins, at least for now.

Law & Order - Season 5

Of all the Law & Order seasons, it makes total sense that Season 5 would top the list of favorite seasons. it's when the show cast really coalesced into the characters fans really love. Most notably, Sam Waterston joined as Jack McCoy and Chris Noth took his final bow on the show.

Curb Your Enthusiasm - Season 6

Is there really a "best" season of Curb Your Enthusiasm? There are great, cringy moments in every season but Season 6 comes out on top for fans for one important reason: it introduced Leon (JB Smoove) and the rest of his family to the show and the show began to reach new heights it never would have without them.

Westworld - Season 1

This one really isn't a huge surprise, as many fans really didn't like Seasons 2 or 3 of Westworld, but Seasons 1 and 4 are so good we had to include them. Season 1, especially, is brilliant.

There are plenty of celebrity fashion looks that have been immortalized on the big screen, but there are also plenty of other famous dresses that never hit a red carpet. Maybe they should have. We've compiled a list of some of the best gowns (and looks) from films that could totally have worked on a red carpet, if given the chance. Here are some of the coolest takes.

Lily James In Cinderella

When I think of a ball gown, to me the 2015 Cinderella look of Lily James is a great example of a dress that’s carpet ready. It’s somehow timeless and modern, it’s an indescribable blue color, and it brought an animated concept to life in just the perfect way. A top-notch stunner for any era.

Emma Watson In Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 1

I know you thought I was going to bust out Hermione’s iconic Yule Ball gown look here, even though she’s said the scene was uncomfortable in the past. While it’s a sweet dress for a teenager, it’s the stunning red number Watson’s character wears to Bill and Fleur’s wedding I deem to be most red carpet-worthy.

Jennifer Lopez In Maid In Manhattan

Jennifer Lopez played a maid who borrowed a gown for a night out on the town in Maid in Manhattan. While the flick may not make anyone's list of best rom-coms, the dress is perfect for any best list. It was a peachy pink and very on trend in the early aughts, and its silhouette – and the iconic jewelry she paired it with – would very much still be on point on the carpet today.

Halle Berry In Die Another Day

Halle Berry may be more known for an iconic bikini scene in Die Another Day, but it's her purple dress that really stands out when she's playing Jinx. The color and silhouette are stunning years later, but this is one dress that's also even more brilliant once you see it from behind.

Julia Roberts In Pretty Woman

A far cry from the look we meet her in, Julia Roberts’ Vivian Ward dons a romantic red dress for a night out with Richard Gere’s Edward. The two end up entangling their lives in myriad ways, but the dress is still the most memorable moment from the movie for me.

Margot Robbie In The Wolf Of Wall Street

Black dresses will never go out of fashion, and Margot Robbie looks like a cool woman in a little black dress in Wolf of Wall Street. It's not the only fashionable moment in Scorsese's film, but it's the look I would choose if I were having to go to a fun event. The earrings amp the look up considerably, too. Her whole vibe has me rethinking my wardrobe.

Aubrey Hepburn In Sabrina

One of the most iconic ball gowns of all time, Hepburn’s famous Sabrina dress may never have happened if she hadn’t pushed and befriended designer Givenchy. They made movie history together, and red carpet history in other cases. This dress would not have been out of place there.

Natalie Portman In Black Swan

Black Swan may be one of the best psychological films, but the costume design is also superb, from outfits worn on the stage to everdaywear. The white gown Portman’s character wears from Rodarte has one of the coolest backs I’ve ever seen. Nearly 15 years later, I wish she or someone would bust it out again.

Lady Mary In Downton Abbey

Lady Mary was a bit of a fashionista across the entirety of the Downton Abbey series and its two subsequent movies, but this lush sapphire blue Prussian gown from 2019’s Downton movie stands out as a favorite and also the one that’s most red carpet worthy. Maybe in this day and age I’d drop the gloves, though (even if celebs like Taylor Swift and JLo are bringing gloves back).

Billy Porter In Cinderella (2021)

The Cinderella cast all had amazing outfits, but Billy Porter's fabulous godmother (Fab G) dress in the 2021 Cinderella is all bold colors and lush satin. It's very much a Porter-perfect look that still stands out years later.

Keira Knightley In Atonement

Keira Knightley’s green dress in Atonement is very much a dress of the era it is portraying, but it’s also the sort of classic look in the perfect color and fabric that could be worn by anyone, in any formal situation, in any time period. If I had to choose a dress to rock to a movie premiere or a wedding or pretty much any occasion, this look from the 2007 (but period) movie would be it.

Charlize Theron Snow White And The Huntsman

Hear me out: Charlize Theron looks so extra in Snow White and the Huntsman but she never looks more extra than when she’s wearing the dress with the extravagant shoulders. Puff sleeves come in and out, but I’m really ready for some avante garde looks to hit the red carpet and this is a great take on a totally unique style.

Kate Hudson In How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days

The early aughts were a prominent time for formalwear gowns dominating movie posters, and the Kate Hudson rom-com era was no exception. The good news is the gold dress she sported opposite Matthew McConaughey still holds up more than 20 years later and is a color she should continue to sport on the red carpet.

Grace Kelly In Rear Window

Grace Kelly had a lot of iconic dresses in a lot of movies that could have fit the criteria of this list, but my favorite has to be her tulle look from Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window. It's no wonder the ballet-inspired look has come back in 10 Things I Hate About You and other movies.

Jennifer Lawrence In Catching Fire

The Hunger Games has some solid fashion design, particularly when it comes to characters like Snow, Effie and others living in the capital. But if you really want to make a statement, how about a dress that catches fire and turns into a second fashion statement? Tell me you wouldn’t like to see this on the red carpet!

Kate Winslet In Titanic

When Jack and Rose meet in Titanic, she’s dressed for dinner in a gorgeous red and black beaded dress that would stand out in any crowd. It’s a good thing she catches Jack’s eye in this dress, or Titanic would have been a different movie.

Angela Bassett In Jumping The Broom

Listen: Paula Patton’s character has a lovely wedding dress in Jumping The Broom (not to mention a really cute purple plaid dress at the beginning of the movie), but Angela Bassett is the actress to keep your eye on. As the matriarch in a wealthy family, Bassett’s character is the one with the polished, structured looks I’d feel most confident in on the red carpet.

Rita Hayworth In Gilda

I’m not sure how many people revisit Rita Hayworth’s Gilda these days, but when I think of old Hollywood glamor, her satin gown and matching gloves always come to mind. This was the role that made Hayworth a household name and that dress would still have a moment if it debuted today.

Sonoya Mizuno In Crazy Rich Asians

There's a lot of just epic fashion in 2018's Crazy Rich Asians, but the stellar standout moment is Araminta's wedding, which just has so many great looks from the main cast. At the end of the day, despite the gorgeous setting and shiny, happy people, it's the dress that's to die for.

Vivien Leigh In Gone With The Wind

Leigh gets the opportunity to wear a lot of lovely fabrics in 1939’s Gone with the Wind but none seem as carpet worthy (somewhat ironically) as the dress made out of curtains. It's a memorable color combo and an all-time great movie look.

Hilary Duff In A Cinderella Story

While allegedly Sam is wearing an "old" wedding dress when she shows up in this gorgeous white number, the tulle look is a classic one. Hilary Duff wore the dress with pink Chuck Taylors on the cover for the film, and casualizing a dress with sneakers has become a popular trend in the time since.

Emma Watson In Beauty And The Beast

A Disney ballgown that really hits the mark, Emma Watson’s yellow Belle dress does the animated character justice while fitting the actress like a glove. The color might not work on everyone, but it’s such a perfect fit.

Whitney Houston In The Bodyguard

I think Whitney Houston’s Queen of the Night costume is probably the one we all think about first when we think about The Bodyguard, but it’s her simple black halter dress and beaded hair and bracelet accessories that would really stand out on a red carpet and give something a little special.

Aubrey Hepburn In My Fair Lady

Eliza may have made a bet with Professor Higgins to help her sound like a lady, but it's not hard to believe Audrey Hepburn at least looks like a lady in this dress. The thick, sparkling necklace gives it an additional upgrade. Beautiful.

Ariana DeBose In West Side Story

Ariana DeBose's yellow dress in Spielberg's West Side Story is a direct nod to the 1961 movie musical, but it's an updated take on the look. Originally, Rita Moreno wore a famous lavender dress, but DeBose's is an upgraded color and has a little more swish in it. It's gorgeous and the type of look I hope is popularized again.

Marilyn Monroe In How To Marry A Millionaire

Marilyn Monroe rocked lots of iconic gowns over the years, but the thing I like about this satin dress is the one shoulder strap. It's fitted like a glove and the pink color is fabulous. It's hard to pick one thing about this dress that is most successful. It's just perfect.

Barbara Bach In The Spy Who Loved Me

Plenty of Bond girls have had great outfits over the course of more than 50 years, but when Bond meets Anya Amasova, her navy gown really pops thanks to the Swarovski crystal trim. I love that it's not a flat color, and the leg slit adds a sweet extra touch.

Lana Condor In To All The Boys I've Loved Before: P.S. I Still Love You

Lana Condor has a lot of beautiful clothing in the To All The Boys movies. Of all her sweet looks, my favorite is the one in the sequel that Stormy lends her from her impeccable collection. It's vintage perfect, and a lovely color to boot.

Lori Singer In Footloose

Lori Singer’s Ariel dress looks great on her, and it fits the character well. Despite the movie coming out in the eighties, the off-shoulder style comes in and out, and its simple silhouette would be perfect for a low-key movie premiere. As vintage is making a big comeback, perhaps it’s a style we’ll see back on the carpet in coming years.

Rachel Leigh Cook In She’s All That

Laney’s red makeover dress is on-trend now the ‘90s and early aughts are making a comeback. Its spaghetti straps and slim silhouette are simple, but would still really would turn heads on the red carpet today. I love the matching red pumps she pairs the look with as well.

Margaret Avery In The Color Purple

Shug Avery's bright looks in The Color Purple stand out. It may be more of a show dress, but if I had to kick it on the red carpet, I'd want something just as sequiny. Maybe I'd throw in some pearls to boot.

Anne Hathaway In The Idea Of You

A lot of people would say Ms. Hathaway's iconic fashion movies are either The Princess Diaries or The Devil Wears Prada, and while neither are wrong choices, my pick has to go to her character in The Idea of You. When Solene meets Hayes in her beautifully tailored, creamy Fendi number, his head was turned, but so was mine.

Luckily, we're likely to see many more red carpet-worthy looks on the big screen for years to come!

Earlier today, the world was saddened to hear the news that film legend Dame Maggie Smith is dead at age 89. With a legacy that stretches from stage to screen, there’s no doubt that her contributions to the world of acting are going to inspire fitting tributes to her passing.

In fact, we’re starting to see that at the moment, as members of the Downton Abbey cast, like Hugh Bonneville, as well as other notable co-stars such as Sister Act’s Whoopi Goldberg, have started to share their fondest wishes in light of this sad day.

Starting things off is the official Instagram account for Downton Abbey. The social media presence for the franchise Smith helped cultivate into a worldwide hit took the time to share the following sentiments, coupled with a beautiful picture of Dame Maggie Smith on set:

Further comments were provided to People, as official statements from several members of the Downton Abbey 3 cast spoke fondly of the woman known to the world as the Dowager Countess of Grantham, Violet Crawley. But as you’ll read in statements below, some of these fine people earned the great distinction to simply call her “Maggie”:

• "There was no one quite like Maggie. I feel tremendously lucky to have known such a maverick. She will be deeply missed and my thoughts are with her family." - Michelle Dockery
• “Anyone who ever shared a scene with Maggie will attest to her sharp eye, sharp wit and formidable talent. She was a true legend of her generation and thankfully will live on in so many magnificent screen performances. My condolences to her boys and wider family.” - Hugh Bonneville
• “...she was a genius and a delight. A privilege to be around her. The kind of actor who makes you proud to be an actor. And I’ll never forget how sweet she was to my 12-year-old son when he visited set.” - Paul Giamatti

Previous cast members from the show’s television incarnation were also on hand to share their own tip of the hat to the legacy of Dame Maggie Smith. And when it came to Dan Stevens’ Instagram story honoring his days on Downton Abbey, he also included the following recommendation for all fans of her work:

When reflecting on Dame Maggie Smith’s pivotal Downton Abbey casting a couple of years back, you could sense that series writer and creator Julian Fellowes also held a deep admiration for her body of work. Those feelings showed once again when Fellowes shared this statement of remembrance with THR:

The world of movies also suffered a loss today, which was shared by Sister Act star, and comedy legend, Whoopi Goldberg. Posting to her personal Instagram with an image of herself and Smith in costume on the set of what some consider one of the best ‘90s movies, Goldberg had this to say:

At the moment, only a few members of the cast of the Harry Potter movies have issued any official statements just yet. Ginny Weasley actress Bonnie Wright posted a lovely image of the McGonagall actress with this sweet statement:

Not too long after Ms. Wright's remembrance, a statement was provide to Variety by Daniel Radcliffe. In the Harry Potter star's own words, his memories actually spanned to a project before the cinematic adaptation of the best-selling book series. With intense gratitude, Radcliffe shared this:

As for the official social media presence for the Wizarding World, the parties in charge of that outlet have offered this fitting tribute to the woman who played Professor Minerva McGonagall:

Clearly, this is only the beginning of the collectively bittersweet remembrances that Dame Maggie Smith will inspire. But so far, everything we’ve heard lines up perfectly with the legend she cultivated throughout her storied career.

If you Downton Abbey fans would like to pay tribute by revisiting the Julian Fellowes series, all six seasons are currently being streamed through access to a Prime Video subscription. And if you are looking to watch Sister Act or the Harry Potter films, those can be found on Disney+ and Max, respectively.

Moms are strong by nature but TV's toughest moms rule their roost with high standards, great expectations and strong discipline. From sitcom staples like Roseanne Conner and Clair Huxtable to dramatic dames like Cersei Lannister and Cookie Lyon, these iron-fisted mamas don't get the credit they deserve when it comes to their strict and stern parenting styles. Here are 32 of our favorites. 

Roseanne Conner (Roseanne)

The fierce working-class "domestic goddess" at the center of the ABC sitcom Roseanne was always crazy-quick with a wisecrack and was never one to hold back an opinion. But though known for her loud, sarcastic and domineering nature, Roseanne Conner (Roseanne Barr) was always loving and protective towards her four kids, daughters Becky (Lecy Goranson and Sarah Chalke) and Darlene (Sara Gilbert), and sons D.J. (Michael Fishman) and Jerry (Cole and Morgan Roberts).

Clair Huxtable (The Cosby Show)

Despite having to juggle raising five children, maintaining a household and continuing a successful law career, The Cosby Show's Clair Huxtable (Phylicia Rashad) was always a vision of class and composure. While her husband Cliff was the more fun-loving and boisterous parent, Clair was the disciplinarian of the Huxtable residence and was assertive in teaching her kids about responsibility and respect. 

Peggy Bundy (Married... With Children)

With her refusal to cook, clean or cater to her boorish husband Al (Ed O'Neil), Peggy Bundy (Katey Sagal) from the beloved blue-collar comedy Married... with Children was TV's ultimate anti-housewife. Where other small-screen moms used their iron fist to ensure order and discipline, Peg unapologetically prioritized her own couch-sitting, Oprah-watching "Me Time" over traditional parenting and domestic work. But that doesn't mean she didn't regularly make time to voice her opinions about her lackluster hubby and kids Kelly (Christina Applegate) and Bud (David Faustino).

Wilma Flintstone (The Flintstones) 

When you're married to a literal caveman, it's no surprise that Wilma Flintstone had to be level-headed and strong-willed for the sake of her family. Throughout the classic cartoon series The Flintstones, the Stone Age mama was tender and caring to her hubby Fred and daughter Pebbles but was known to utilize a firm hand — and a frying pan — when things got a little too rambunctious in her household. 

Claire Dunphy (Modern Family)

Often regulated to being the strict mom opposite goofy dad Phil (Ty Burrell), Claire (Julie Bowen) is the hardworking and often anxiety-ridden head of the Dunphy household. In trying to wrangle her husband and three children — Haley (Sarah Hyland), Alex (Ariel Winter) and Luke (Nolan Gould) — The Modern Family matriarch can regularly be neurotic and controlling but every ounce of that effort clearly comes from a place of love. 

Jessica Huang (Fresh Off The Boat)

Just as her husband Louis (Randall Park) described her, Jessica Huang (Constance Wu) from the ABC sitcom Fresh Off the Boat is "aggressive yet elegant." No-nonsense, traditional and very competitive, she pushes both her spouse and their sons Eddie (Hudson Yang), Emery (Forrest Wheeler) and Evan (Ian Chen) to succeed in their careers and academics, respectively. For example, she's plenty pleased with Evan's future plans of becoming "doctor/president," but less so when Eddie reveals that he wants to go to culinary school instead of college.

Cersei Lannister (Game Of Thrones)

Like many things in her life, Cersei Lannister's (Lena Headey) relationship with her children throughout Game of Thrones was often fueled by her own pride and need for power. However, that doesn't mean that Cersei wouldn't kill for her kids — and she did. When it came to the safety of Joffrey (Jack Gleeson), Myrcella (Nell Tiger Free) and Tommen (Dean-Charles Chapman), she parented with a leonine fierceness, to the danger of her enemies. 

Florida Evans (Good Times)

First introduced as a feisty maid in Maude, strong-willed Chicago mother Florida Evans (Esther Rolle) is the heart and soul of the original Good Times. Despite considerable financial issues and a never-ending list of chores and responsibilities, Florida always kept her household in line, offering up stern but loving discipline and instilling valuable morals in her three children J.J. (Jimmy Walker) Thelma (Bern Nadette Stanis), and Michael Evans (Ralph Carter). 

Lois Wilkerson (Malcolm In The Middle)

As the mother of five highly mischievous and unruly young boys, we really can't blame Malcolm in the Middle's Lois Wilkerson (Jane Kaczmarek) for being a touch stubborn, overbearing and hotheaded. Lois genuinely cares about her children, but her idea of discipline is jokingly dubbed "sadistic" by the boys: "Your punishment isn't over until that bathroom floor is so clean you'll be eating off it. Which is what you'll be doing for the next three weeks," she memorably punished son Reese in Season 6. 

Norma Bates (Bates Motel)

Now, we're certainly not suggesting that Norma Bates (Vera Farmiga) had a healthy parenting style throughout the A&E horror drama Bates Motel, but she certainly was a devoted, if domineering, mother to Norman (Freddie Highmore). Norma can be clingy and critical of her son — and has especially harsh opinions about the girls Norman hangs out with — but she always does everything in her power to protect him. 

Emily Gilmore (Gilmore Girls)

It seems like the only people Emily Gilmore (Kelly Bishop) is more judgmental of than her own daughter Lorelai (Lauren Graham) — no picnic in the mom department, herself — are her maids, who she seemingly hired and fired every other episode of Gilmore Girls. The wealthy matriarch of the eponymous family is known for her high standards, snooty attitude and controlling nature: a textbook example is forcing Lorelai and granddaughter Rory (Alexis Bledel) to attend Friday night dinner at her home every week, no exceptions. 

Debra Barone (Everybody Loves Raymond)

A classic example of a TV mom having to play the "bad cop" to a "fun dad" type is Debra Barone (Patricia Heaton) from Everybody Loves Raymond. While husband Ray (Ray Romano) often gets up to nearly as many hijinks as their kids Ally (Madylin Sweeten), Geoffrey and Michael (Sullivan and Sawyer Sweeten), Debra is all business. She's responsible, hardworking and not afraid to speak her mind — except, it seems, when it comes to her meddling mother-in-law Marie (Doris Roberts). 

Harriette Winslow (Family Matters)

The matriarch of the Winslow family (largely played by Jo Marie Payton but replaced with Judyann Elder in Family Matters' final season) knows order and discipline: she left the police force when she became pregnant with her eldest, Eddie (Darius McCrary). Raising three kids, Harriette is regularly the voice of reason in the Winslow household but is a sharp-tongued disciplinarian when she needs to be. 

Colleen Donaghy (30 Rock)

Portrayed by the legendarily brash Elaine Stritch, the mother of Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin) always dishes out tough love when it comes to her son. With just one of her many characteristically biting quips (“Don’t talk to me like that Jack. I breastfed you for nine years!”) Colleen is able to instantly turn her slick, successful businessman of a son into a fearful little boy. 

Beverly Goldberg (The Goldbergs)

The Goldbergs' Beverly (Wendi McLendon-Covey) puts the "mother" in "smother" — hugs are mandatory and she can often be found meddling in various areas of her kids' worlds, from school to sports to social life. But the snuggies-loving matriarch can be strict, tough and opinionated, not only when it comes to her children Erica (Hayley Orrantia), Barry (Troy Gentile) and Adam (Sean Giambrone) but also herself: "I have failed as a mother!" is the character's main catchphrase. 

Galina ‘Red’ Reznikov (Orange Is The New Black)

Yes, even prisoners need a mother figure and Litchfield Penitentiary has Red (Kate Mulgrew). Compassionate but very cunning — this is a woman who was in cahoots with the Russian Mafia, after all — she rules her block of the prison with a watchful eye, explicitly prohibiting her girls from partaking in drugs whilst running a well-oiled smuggling ring to get them the contraband goods they need. 

Vivian Banks (The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air)

Firstly, we're specifically talking about Aunt Viv as portrayed by Janet Hubert for the first half of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. (Daphne Maxwell Reid took over the role in season four after Hubert was dismissed from the show.) As no-nonsense as she was nurturing, Hubert's take on the character was more fiery than her successor, a strong, confident university professor who wasn't afraid to lay down a hard lesson to her three children, her students or her troublemaking nephew (Will Smith). 

Marge Simpson (The Simpsons)

Marge is the blue-haired, bee-hived moralistic center of the Simpsons family. With a fam that includes an oafish husband like Homer, a notorious prankster like Bart and an eternal infant like Maggie, The Simpsons matriarch has to run a tight ship to maintain order in her antics-filled household. She doesn't approve of the kids' violent video games or cartoons, has followed Bart's whereabouts through his cell phone and is always pushing her family to go to mass. As Homer says of his wife: "If it were up to [Marge], all we would ever do is work and go to church."

Violet Crawley (Downton Abbey)

Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess of Grantham (played by Dame Maggie Smith), is not exactly known for being a cuddly grandmother sort. Instead, the stately Downton Abbey matriarch is defined by her dry wit, direct nature and deep investment in maintaining the family's traditions, honor and legacy. 

Barbara Howard (Abbott Elementary)

Barbara Howard (Emmy winner Sheryl Lee Ralph) didn't just raise kids of her own at home — she's raised whole classrooms full of impressionable youngins as a kindergarten teacher at Willard R. Abbott Elementary School for the past two decades. Super old-school (no, she will not be learning that new teaching technology, thank you very much) and strictly religion, she's the kind of teacher who quiets rowdy classrooms the second she steps foot into them. 

Tami Taylor (Friday Night Lights)

As both a mother to teen daughter Julie (Aimee Teegarden) and little Gracie Belle (Madilyn Landry) and a counselor at Dillon High School to countless students, Connie Britton's tough yet compassionate Tami Taylor regularly guided the youth with equal parts firmness and fairness. Through five seasons of Friday Night Lights, she was a sounding board and a calm authority, but always with a little bit of Southern sweetness sprinkled on top. 

Jill Taylor (Home Improvement)

The lion-hearted leading lady of the Taylor family, Jill (Patricia Richardson) raises her three sons Brad (Zachery Ty Bryan), Randy (Jonathan Taylor Thomas) and Mark (Taran Noah Smith) with a stern hand and Type-A attitude while also remaining lovingly perceptive and good-naturedly allowing for silly moments. However, you know that when she addresses her husband Tim (Tim Allen) or her sons by their full name, somebody is definitely in trouble. 

Cookie Lyon (Empire)

Talk about one tough cookie: Empire's queen bee Cookie Lyon (Taraji P. Henson) tells it like it is, demands respect and doesn't tolerate nonsense in any aspect of her life, including when it comes to her children Andre (Trai Byers), Jamal (Jussie Smollett) and Hakeem (Bryshere Y. Gray). She can be extremely headstrong and brash, but she definitely has a caring and compassionate side and she always puts her family first. 

Sophia Petrillo (The Golden Girls)

Sarcasm and sass certainly seem to be genetic in the Petrillo household: both mom Sophia (Estelle Getty) and daughter Dorothy Zbornak (Bea Arthur) possess each personality trait in spades. As Dorothy's actual parent and the surrogate mother of her roommates Blanche Devereaux (Rue McClanahan) and Rose Nyland (Betty White), Sophia doles out wisecracks and criticisms often — about Dorothy’s lack of love life, Blanche’s promiscuity and Rose’s stupidity — but beneath all of her hilarious put-downs beats a lot of love. 

Nalini Vishwakumar (Never Have I Ever)

Never Have I Ever's Nalini (Poorna Jagannathan) can be hard on her teen daughter Devi (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan) but her overly strict and at times overbearing nature stems from not only her traditional Indian upbringing but also her sheer love and concern for her child. (As fans no doubt remember, Nalini lost her husband to a heart attack before the start of the series, a trauma which sparked temporary paralysis in her daughter.) Sometimes it's hard for her to show tenderness, but her heart is always in the right place. 

Olivia Walton (The Waltons)

Yes, Olivia Walton (Michael Learned) is an exceedingly sweet and compassionate lady, but there's one area of her life in which she does not play around: her parenting. She prompts all seven of her children (John-Boy, Jason, Mary-Ellen, Ben, Erin Walton, Jim-Bob and Elizabeth) to have good manners and posture, requires them to read the Bible and never miss Sunday service, and will resort to scolding her children if they misbehave. 

Carmela Soprano (The Sopranos) 

Steely and steadfast, Carmela Soprano (Edie Falco) is like any good Italian-American mom: she's armed with a deep sense of obligation to her family, works hard to create a (somewhat) stable environment for daughter Meadow (Jamie-Lynn Sigler) and son A.J. (Robert Iler), and can make a mean lasagna. With her husband Tony (James Gandolfini) busy with Mafia business, Carmela does the lion's share of the parenting and when it comes to chastising her children, she's proven to be just as formidable as her spouse.

Thelma Harper (Mama’s Family)

Known simply as Mama, Thelma Harper (Vicki Lawrence) from the NBC sitcom Mama's Family headed her household with a sharp wit, an acid tongue and a quick temper. Bluntly outspoken and hilariously grumpy, the series version of the character was actually reportedly softer-edged than the original iteration conceived for The Carol Burnett Show. And despite Mama's frequent bickering and bad attitude, all of her cooking, cleaning and curmudgeonly care is clearly out of love.  

Gemma Teller Morrow (Sons Of Anarchy) 

A more hard-edged mama than her other famous TV mom character Peg Bundy, Katey Sagal's Gemma Teller Morrow is unapologetic about how protective she is of not only her son Jax (Charlie Hunnam) and grandchildren but also her surrogate family, the Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club. Equipped with equal parts savagery and vulnerability, she's adapted to her gritty environment and can be tough, competitive and manipulative in the lengths she'll go to to defend those she loves.

Penelope Alvarez (One Day At A Time)

Don't let her quirky, fun-loving demeanor fool you — as One Day at a Time's main madre Penelope Alvarez (Justina Machado) is quick to remind you, she's a "total badass." As a single Cuban-American mother, a nurse practitioner and a former Staff Sergeant in the United States Army, "Lupe" has a strong work ethic and sense of discipline, which she makes sure to instill in her children Elena (Isabella Gomez) and Alex (Marcel Ruiz).

Evelyn Harper (Two And A Half Men)

Son Alan Harper (Jon Cryer) doesn't jokingly call her "the queen of darkness" for nothing. Yes, the wealthy and five-time-widowed Evelyn (played by Holland Taylor) can be quite cold, callous and critical when it comes to her sons Alan and Charlie (Charlie Sheen) and grandson Jake (Angus T. Jones). She majorly disapproves of Alan's failed marriages as well as Charlie's personal hobbies — granted, the latter is drinking, gambling and womanizing, so she might be onto something. 

Lynette Scavo (Desperate Housewives)

Having to deal with four demanding children (Porter, Preston, Parker and Penny) as a stay-at-home mom while her husband Tom (Doug Savant) is at the office every day, Lynette (Felicity Huffman) is understandably stressed much of the time, which tends to manifest itself as a neurotic and controlling nature. She also often tends to go over the top when it comes to disciplining her children — for example, she once ditched her kiddos on the side of the road to teach them about following orders. 

Three are a lot of places around the world that have become famous for being set locations or exterior shots from television shows. From restaurants, to prisons, to houses, to everything in between. These are just a few of these now-famous locations everyone recognizes from their favorite shows. 

Tom's Restaurant - Seinfeld

In virtually every episode of Seinfeld, the gang met up at Monk's Diner. The interiors were a set, of course, but all the exterior shots for Monk's were of Tom's Restaurant at the corner of Broadway and 112th Street in New York City. The cast of Seinfeld is enshrined in caricatures on the wall. One more fun fact about the eatery, it was also the restaurant that inspired the song "Tom's Diner" by Suzanne Vega. 

Highclere Castle - Downton Abbey

Grand houses dot the English countryside, many of which are quite famous for their ornate beauty. One house now stands out from the rest, Highclere Castle in Hampshire. As hardcore fans of Downton Abbey know, not only was it used for the exterior of the house, but many of the interiors, including the iconic library, were used in the production. 

The Painted Ladies - Full House

San Francisco was once home to thousands of grand Victorian homes, though many were destroyed by the earthquake in 1906. A notable row that survived across from Alamo Square Park is famously known as "The Painted Ladies" and is a big tourist destination for fans of Full House after they featured prominently in the show. 

Police Beach - Lost

The mysterious island in Lost was in actually many filming locations across Oahu in Hawaii. One of the most famous locations is known as Papailoa Beach or Police Beach. It is located on the North Shore and was used a lot in the show as the spot where the plane crashed and where the survivors lived for a time. 

94 Bedford Street - Friends

94 Bedford Street, at the corner of Grove and Bedford, has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in New York City. Not because anyone famous has lived there, but because that's the building used for the exterior shots of where most of the characters on Friends lived.

St. Michael's Mount - House Of The Dragon

St. Michael's Mount in southeast England is less famous than its cousin, Mont-Saint-Michel in France, but they are very similar monasteries. Both were built on little spits of land surrounded by a tidal area that leaves them completely separated from the mainland much of the time. St. Michael's Mount serves as the exterior for Driftmark, the seat of House Velaryon in House Of The Dragon.

Salish Lodge & Spa - Twin Peaks

On Twin Peaks, one of the most prominent locations is The Great Northern Inn, where Dale Cooper (Kyle MacLachlan) lives during his time in the town investigating the murder of Laura Palmer. The exterior of the hotel, located above a beautiful waterfall, is actually the Salish Lodge & Spa in Snoqualmie, WA.

The Bull & Finch Pub - Cheers

Tourists in Boston are often startled to see the exterior of Cheers as they walk around the Public Garden at the foot of Beacon Hill. The famous bar from Cheers was once called The Bull & Finch Pub and has been in that spot since the late '60s. In the early '00s, the owners changed the name to Cheers. 

Pasadena City Hall - Parks And Recreation

Parks & Recreation may be set in the town of Pawnee, Indiana, but the exterior shots of the City Hall on the show were filmed much closer to where the show was actually filmed in LA. The building is, in fact, the City of Pasadena's City Hall. A far cry from rural Indiana, but these days the building is more famous for being in a fictional TV town in the Hoosier state than the City of Roses. 

Richmond, London - Ted Lasso

A little alley in Richmond, London, has become one of the most visited tourist spots in a town chock-full of great tourist spots. That's because it served as the exterior to Coach Lasso's apartment in Ted Lasso. The pub nearby was also one of the most-used shooting locations for the show and fans of the hilarious show have been flocking ever since. 

The Belnord - Only Murders In The Building

There are a few famous apartment buildings on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, including The Belnord. The grand building is one of the most prominent of all, especially now as it serves as the titular building in Only Murders In The Building starring Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez. It's located at 86th St. and Amsterdam.

Dubrovnik Harbor - Game Of Thrones

HBO's Game of Thrones made quite a few locations around the world famous, and while the city of Dubrovnik, Croatia was already famous among historians, it entered popular culture in a big way when it was the stand-in for King's Landing throughout many episodes of the show. There is a little harbor on the city's west coast that was one of the locations used in some of the most famous scenes.  

The Waybury Inn - Newhart

In Newhart Dick Loudon (Bob Newhart) and his wife Joanna (Mary Frann) moved to Vermont to run the Stratford Inn. The real-life Stratford Inn is actually The Waybury Inn in Middlebury Vermont. And yes, it's still a hotel, and you can still stay there. 

Ranger's House - Bridgerton

The stately home of the Bridgerton family in Bridgerton is, in fact, called Ranger's House. Built in 1722 in what is now London, it's located near Greenwich Park, just a couple hundred yards from the famous Royal Observatory, Greenwich, which was where time was set for the world for centuries, but it is now a museum. 

Mr. Beef - The Bear

Chicago is famous for a lot of different foods. Pizza and hot dogs are probably the two most people think of first. Or at least, they used to. After the wild success of The Bear, one of the best shows on Hulu, the Windy City is increasingly famous for Italian Beef sandwiches, like the ones served at Mr. Beef. The small eatery stood in for The Beef on the show. 

15 Washington Street, Brooklyn - Gossip Girl

Located basically under the Manhattan Bridge in the Dumbo neighborhood, 15 Washington Street has become iconic for its use as the exterior of the Humphrey loft in Gossip Girl. 

Bell Works, Holmdel, NJ - Severance

The Bell Works building in Holmdel, NJ was locally famous for decades before the Apple TV+ show Severance made it famous everywhere. Long a favorite in architectural circles, the building, designed by Eero Saarinen, was the R&D headquarters for Bell Labs for decades starting in the early '60s. It is a perfect building to house the mysterious Lumon Industries on the show.  

Chief Joseph Ranch - Yellowstone

Some terrible things have gone down on the Dutton Yellowstone Ranch in Yellowstone. It has to be the most violent place in all of Montana, in the context of the show. Luckily, the real ranch where it is filmed, Chief Joseph Ranch is like it in looks only. It's a guest ranch and fans of the show can even stay there. Just try not to murder anyone. 

Holsten’s Brookdale Confectionary - The Sopranos

One of the most controversial and possibly one of the best endings of a show in TV history took place at Holsten’s Brookdale Confectionery in Bloomfield, NJ. The Sopranos ended when Meadow walked through the door of the diner and the screen went black. Did Tony die or didn't he? The arguments will last forever, an argument you could have over some onion rings at Holsten's.

Twisters Restaurant - Breaking Bad

A Twisters Restaurant in Albuquerque, NM is better known to Breaking Bad fans as Los Pollos Hermanos. The chain restaurant location on Isleta Boulevard in Albuquerque was re-dressed as Los Pollos Hermanos for the show and its spinoff Better Call Saul. 

Speedy’s Cafe - Sherlock

221B Baker Street is one of the most famous addresses in literary history as the home of Sherlock Holmes. On the BBC show Sherlock starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman, the flat is located next door to a cafe called Speedy's. Not only is the restaurant's exterior featured on the show, but the interior is shown on occasion, such as when Watson (Freeman) meets with Mycroft (Mark Gatiss). 

Senoia, Georgia - The Walking Dead

Senoia, Georgia is a small unassuming town on the far southwest edge of the Atlanta metro area. It's a quaint, picturesque southern town that is not a hotbed for tourism by fans of The Walking Dead as it became the setting for the settlement of Alexandria on the show. 

Buckingham Fountain - Married... With Children

The Buckingham Fountain in the heart of Grant Park in Chicago has long been a local landmark in The Windy City. When it was used in the opening moments of the credits on Fox's Married... With Children, it became a national landmark, recognized the world over. Along with having one of the most famous musicians ever singing the theme song, Frank Sinatra, it became an iconic opening. 

Mystic Grill - The Vampire Diaries

The real Mystic Grill is located in Covington, GA, and has become a must-see location for fans of The Vampire Diaries. It pre-existed the show and looks pretty much identical to what fans remember from the beloved show. 

Frist Campus Center - House

Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital, where Dr. Gregory House torments his residents and his patients on House isn't actually a hospital at all. The famous exteriors are actually of the Frist Campus Center on the campus of Princeton University. The building is also famous for Room 302, where Albert Einstein lectured when he was a professor at the school. 

Torrance High School - Beverly Hills, 90210

Without a doubt, Torrance High School in Torrance, CA, is one of the most recognizable locations in television history. It was the setting for West Beverly High on Beverly Hills, 90210, but that's not all. It was also the stand-in for Sunnydale High on Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Ulysses S. Grant High School in The Secret Life of the American Teenager, and it was used in movies like She's All That, Not Another Teen Movie, and Bruce Almighty, among others. 

Waterfords' House - The Handmaid's Tale

In The Handmaid’s Tale, the Waterfords live in Boston, but the mansion used for the exterior shots of their home is actually in Hamilton, Ontario, near Toronto. Like other houses featured in shows, it's become a popular place for selfies, but do you really want to memorialize that house after everything awful that happened inside it? 

Rosenheim Mansion - American Horror Story

The stately Rosenheim Mansion in Los Angeles has a look that is just perfect for horror stories. Most notably, it was used in American Horror Story. It's also been featured in other creepy shows like The Twilight Zone, Buffy The Vampire Slayer, The X-Files, and Dexter. Yikes! 

Franklin Square House Apartments - St. Elsewhere

The exterior of St. Eligius Hospital, the fictional hospital in the critically acclaimed '80s show St Elsewhere is actually an apartment building called Franklin Square House Apartments, in Boston's South End, where the hospital was also set. The show launched quite a few careers, including Howie Mandel's and Denzel Washington's, and like their careers, the apartment building is still around today. 

1618 Pine St., Boulder Colorado - Mork & Mindy

If you find yourself in Boulder, CO, and are a fan of Mork & Mindy, you can take a selfie in front of their apartment. The exterior used is a house that still stands on  Pine St., near the middle of town. 

Old Joliet Prison - Prison Break

If you close your eyes and picture a classic American prison, you'll probably see something that looks a lot like the old Joliet Prison in Joliet, IL. For that reason, the now-closed prison has been a popular shooting location over the years. Not only does it serve as the exterior of the jail in Prison Break, but it's also where Jake Blues (John Belushi) is released from in The Blues Brothers, and has been in numerous other movies and TV shows. 

Cincinnati Enquirer Building - WKRP In Cincinnati

Though it was really only used in the opening credits and very occasionally in the show, the studio for the fictitious radio station WKRP from the hit '70s sitcom in the Cincinnati Enquirer Building, located in downtown Cincinnati. When you're in town, you can pretend all your favorite DJs and intrepid reporter Les Nessman are hard at work in the building. 

Blockbusters can come from any genre, any source material or any star known in pop culture. While the 2024 movie schedule has been blown away by the box office success of Twisters, previous years have seen the two cinematic entries in the Downton Abbey saga raking in a pretty pound for the beloved series. Believe it or not, both of those pop culture endeavors have a huge connection, which gave the cast of Downton Abbey 3 an opportunity to take a break from filming and celebrate!

Twisters’ Big Connection To Downton Abbey

This isn’t a spoiler, and nor is it some hidden easter egg that claims Daisy Edgar-Jones’ Kate is somehow related to the Crawleys by way of the Levinsons. Rather, this unique connection comes from actor Harry Haddon-Paton being part of the Twisters cast in the role of lovable English journalist Ben.

Now if you’re a Downton Abbey fan who’s starting to wonder how they could have missed Bertie Pelham, on-screen husband to Laura Carmichael’s Lady Edith, in the midst of all that chaos, don’t worry. I’ve got you covered with the ad below that shows Mr. Haddon-Paton in action:

That’s right, the journalist who gets shaken up a bit by the thrill seeking Tyler Owens (Glen Powell) is also the 7th Marquess of Hexham in creator Julian Fellowes’ fan favorite drama. In all honesty, the glasses and the relaxed wardrobe may have helped confuse even the most studious of fans.

What wasn't confusing was The Crown alum's thoughtful writer character getting to help nurture the budding love story between Tyler and Kate. That scene where Ben's taking photos of Kate in the field is probably part of why audiences have issues with Twisters’ cut kiss scene being excised from the film.

No matter the result, Mr. Haddon-Paton was a welcomed presence in the ecosystem of this high octane action/adventure movie set in the universe of the original Twister. That was enough of a cause for the Downton Abbey 3 cast to press pause on their upcoming 2025 movie, in the name of celebration and cinema!

How The Downton Abbey Cast Celebrated Harry Haddon-Paton’s Role In The Film

As production is underway on the recently confirmed Downton Abbey threequel, you’d probably expect the likes of Hugh Bonneville, Allen Leech and Michelle Dockery to be a busy lot. While that may be true, that didn’t stop them from having what Bonneville labeled as a “Downton Family Outing” to go see a screening of Twisters, complete with Harry Haddon-Paton!

If you think that sounds adorable, you should see the photos, courtesy of Hugh Bonneville’s social media:

Since the early days of the ITV series’ initial run, the cast of Downton Abbey has never been afraid to cut loose and have fun. It wouldn’t be hard to imagine that Haddon-Paton’s co-stars may start to crack jokes about this role throughout the rest of Downton Abbey 3’s shooting schedule. Though the real questions are who will be the first to accidentally call him “Ben” on set, and is there a wager already on that prospect? It certainly wouldn’t be the first Downton Abbey movie bet we’d catch wind of.

Downton Abbey 3 is currently setting the table for its September 12, 2025 theatrical release, but you can watch the complete series at this very moment with a Prime Video subscription. Meanwhile, Twisters is still brewing up a storm at a theater near you, with Ben and the gang ready to entertain!

Age-rap relationships aren't a rarity on television: in fact, they pop up in seemingly every genre, whether a big fantasy blockbuster like Game of Thrones, a beloved network sitcom like Modern Family, or an acclaimed drama like Succession. And in many cases, the TV wife is much younger than her onscreen spouse — here are 32 TV couples where the bride is married to a much older groom. 

Daenerys Targaryen (Game of Thrones)

There was a 15-year age difference between royal teen Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) and her much older husband, Khal Drogo (Jason Momoa), on HBO's Game of Thrones. Even more surprising, Khaleesi was even younger in the George R. R. Martin novels upon which the fantasy show was based: though she's aged 17 in season one, she's only 13 in the book. 

Gloria Delgado-Pritchett (Modern Family)

Gloria Delgado-Pritchett (Sofia Vergara) is not only 25 years younger than her 60-something Modern Family hubby Jay (Ed O'Neill), but she's also only 14 months younger than her stepdaughter Claire (Julie Bowen). And while that hefty age disparity definitely lends itself to plenty of comedy throughout 11 seasons of the ABC sitcom, their relationship is actually one of the show's staples. 

Ethel Mertz (I Love Lucy)

Though Vivian Vance was only two years older than her onscreen BFF Lucille Ball when the classic comedy I Love Lucy began in 1951, the actress was a whopping 22 years younger than her TV spouse William Frawley, who played the Fred to her Ethel. Rumor has it that Vance wasn't too pleased to be paired with the older actor and their offscreen relationship was less pleasant than their famous chemistry suggests. 

Skyler White (Breaking Bad)

Skyler White (Anna Gunn) got a lot of hate during Breaking Bad's six-season run, but her husband Walt (Bryan Cranston) was running an entire meth empire behind her back so yes, she very much had reason to be upset with him. Walt was actually 12 years older than his wife, so he was definitely grown enough to know better than to get involved with the world of drug cartels. 

Julie Cooper (The O.C.) 

Marissa Cooper's mom Julie (Melinda Clarke) participated in her fair share of May-December romances as part of The O.C. cast, even having an affair with her daughter's ex-boyfriend Luke Ward (Chris Carmack). But it was her age-gap marriage to Caleb Nichol (Alan Dale) — the two-decades-older father of her friend Kristen — that earns her a spot on this list. 

Megan Draper (Mad Men)

The second wife of Don Draper (Jon Hamm) was the already younger Betty (January Jones), who was six or seven years his junior. But his third bride, Megan (Jessica Paré), was even younger than that: per The Daily Beast, Megan was somewhere between 25 and 26 years old this season, about 15 years younger than her husband and little more than a decade older than his daughter Sally (Kiernan Shipka).

Fran Fine (The Nanny)

Mr. Sheffield (Charles Shaughnessy) was a fortysomething widower and father of three when Fran Fine (Fran Drescher) ended up on his doorstep selling makeup and later became not only the nanny but the stepmother of his children. And though Fran lying about her age is a running joke throughout the CBS sitcom — in one late episode, even the FBI can't verify her real birthdate — it's clear that she's at least a decade younger than her husband. 

April Ludgate (Parks and Recreation)

There was an eight-year age difference between coworkers-turned-spouses April Ludgate (Aubrey Plaza) and Andy Dwyer (Chris Pratt) in Parks and Recreation. It was revealed during the first season of the beloved NBC sitcom that April was 19 years old while Andy was 28, an age gap which, though totally legal, didn't actually adhere to Andy's "half my age, plus seven" dating rule. 

Cheryl Mabel (According To Jim)

Though we actually don't learn the age of suburban mom Cheryl (played by Courtney Thorne-Smith) during eight seasons of the ABC sitcom According to Jim, it's safe to assume that the TV wife is more youthful than her onscreen hubby Jim (Jim Belushi), given that the actress playing her is 12 years younger than her co-star. 

Laura Petrie (The Dick Van Dyke Show)

Mary Tyler Moore was 24 when she began playing Laura Petrie, the stylish, capris-panted wife of TV writer Rob Petrie (Dick Van Dyke), on The Dick Van Dyke Show in 1961. Moore was eleven years younger than the show's eponymous star, an age difference that Van Dyke revealed to Entertainment Tonight initially gave him pause. However, show creator Carl Reiner assured the actor: "I said, 'Nobody's going to know...Nobody ever even mentioned it. The first time they kissed on the pilot, that was it. They were together."

Princess Diana (The Crown)

Some TV couple age gaps are rooted in reality. Case in point, the age difference between the then-Prince of Wales, Charles III, and his 12-years-younger bride, Princess Diana, portrayed in Netflix's historical drama The Crown by Josh O'Connor and Emma Corrin in seasons 3 and 4, and Dominic West and Elizabeth Debicki in seasons 5 and 6. 

Alicent Hightower (House Of The Dragon)

The fact that King Viserys Targaryen (Paddy Considine) married his daughter's best friend, Queen Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke), isn't the only awkward part about their relationship — there's also that considerable age difference. In George R. R. Martin's Fire & Blood, 30-year-old Viserys is 11 years older than his young bride; however, the onscreen age gap is much larger, with Viserys played by 50-year-old Considine and frequently in poor health in the fantasy series. 

Joanna Loudon (Newhart)

Mary Frann, best known for her role as Joanna Loudon, the wife of Bob Newhart's character on the CBS sitcom Newhart, was 13 years older than her iconic co-star. Per that infamous series finale, the storylines from the small-town sitcom all ended up being a dream inside the mind of Bob Hartley from The Bob Newhart Show, so it seems like a much younger TV wife was simply wishful thinking. 

Wanda Maximoff (WandaVision)

Given that WandaVision picked up just a few weeks after that big old Blip in Avengers: Endgame, we know that Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) was still 28 years old in the Disney+ miniseries. As for her android husband, Vision (Paul Bettany) was technically only six at the time of the show, since he was "created" in 2015's Age of Ultron. But things get even more complicated when you consider that Bettany is nearly two decades older than his onscreen wife. 

Rhonda Volmer (Big Love)

HBO's polygamy drama Big Love saw many big age-gap marriages in its five seasons, which ran on the network from 2006 to 2011, but the couple with the largest disparity was octogenarian Juniper Creek prophet Roman Grant (Harry Dean Stanton) and his teen bride-to-be Rhonda Volmer (Daveigh Chase).

Peg Bundy (Married... with Children)

Katey Sagal started her role as Peggy Bundy on Married... with Children when she was 33 years old, eight years junior to her male counterpart Ed O'Neill, who played Al Bundy. However, Sagal mentioned in several interviews over the years that she always imagined Peg to be even younger than Al; in a season 11 episode, her character jokes that she was 9 years old and Al 18 when they wed. 

Sansa Stark (Game of Thrones)

As is the case with many Game of Thrones characters, both Tyrion Lannister (played by Peter Dinklage) and his younger missus Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner) were aged up a few years from the A Song of Ice and Fire books for the HBO series. In the fantasy novels, Sansa is said to be 13 years old and Tyrion 26 at the time of their marriage; in the TV show, however, the Stark daughter was 15 and the Lannister lad around 34. 

Fiona Gallagher (Shameless)

With an absentee mother and an alcoholic father, Fiona Gallagher (Emma Rossum) was forced to grow up early as the matriarch of the Gallagher clan in Showtime's Shameless. So it wasn't too much of a surprise when the 23-year-old was set to wed Sean Pierce (Dermot Mulroney), the fortysomething owner of her employer Patsy's Pies. However, their marital plans fell through when his troubled past came back to haunt them. 

Meredith Grey (Grey's Anatomy)

In the season 1 script for the long-running medical drama, then-surgical intern Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) was described as 32 years old, making her older than the rest of the mid-twenties interns but about seven years younger than her McDreamy one-night stand and eventual husband, Dr. Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey). 

Anna Smith (Downton Abbey)

Anne Smith (Joanne Froggatt) met her future husband, John Bates (Brendan Coyle) in the very first episode of Downton Abbey, when the man is hired as the new valet to Robert Crawley, the Earl of Grantham (Hugh Bonneville). By the end of season 2, they would marry, despite a solid 15-year age difference between them. 

Connie McDowell (NYPD Blue)

Even the producers of the ABC procedural NYPD Blue were concerned about pairing up Dennis Franz's Andy Sipowicz and Charlotte Ross's much younger Connie McDowell for the detective's third marriage. Executive producer Bill Clark likened turning the characters into a romantic couple to "walking onto a minefield," telling The Los Angeles Times: “I can say I don’t think in all of the years on the show any decision has had as much effort put into it like this one.”

Penny Hofstadter (The Big Bang Theory)

Onscreen, the age difference between Leonard Hofstadter (Johnny Galecki) and his neighbor-turned-wife Penny (Kaley Cuoco) is about five years, but behind-the-scenes, the IRL discrepancy is even larger: born in 1975, Galecki is a whole decade older than his co-star. 

Natasha Naginsky (Sex and the City)

The youthfulness of Natasha Naginsky (Bridget Moynahan), the 26-year-old second wife of fortysomething Mr. Big (Chris Noth), is a major point of contention for Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) and the rest of the Sex and the City girls. However, despite being younger than the rest, Natasha proves to be the only one with real maturity, handling Carrie and Big's messy affair with strength and dignity. 

Abishola Wheeler (Bob Hearts Abishola)

Looks like Bob hearts younger women. In the CBS sitcom Bob Hearts Abishola, Bob Wheeler (Billy Gardell) falls for Nigerian nurse Abishola Adebambo (Folake Olowofoyeku) while being treated at the hospital for a mild heart attack. Along with their cultural differences, there is also a generation gap between the couple: Bob is in his fifties and while Abishola's age is never stated in the show, it's safe to assume she's in her thirties like actress Olowofoyeku. 

Margot Sauerbruch (Charité at War)

In the German drama Charité at War, Doctor Margot Sauerbruch (Luise Wolfram) is nearly three decades younger than her husband Ferdinand Sauerbruch (Ulrich Noethen), who is the head of surgery at Berlin's Charité hospital. In fact, Margot is much closer in age to her stepson Peter (Maximilian Klas) than his father.

Esther Keyes (The Handmaid's Tale)

In the dystopian drama The Handmaid's Tale, women and girls are taken as wives as long as they are fertile to boost birthrates. For example, Esther Keyes (Mckenna Grace), is only 14 years old when she is placed into an arranged marriage to the elderly Commander Keyes (Bill MacDonald). However, Esther rebels against the oppression and ends up slowly poisoning her older husband. 

Barbra Jean Hart (Reba)

It's become a cliché for a man to move on from his first marriage by marrying a much younger bride for his second, but that's exactly what happened in The WB comedy Reba. Reba Hart's (Reba McEntire) life was upended when her husband of 20 years, Brock (Christopher Rich), decided to divorce her after getting his dental hygienist, Barbra Jean (Melissa Peterman) — who was half his age — pregnant. 

Marcia Roy (Succession)

Even at two decades younger than her husband, the in-her-60s Marcia Roy (Hiam Abbass) was a significantly more age-appropriate partner for powerful media-mogul Logan Roy (Brian Cox) than his even younger secretary-slash mistress Kerry Castellabate (Zoë Winters), who was only in her thirties. 

Sara Sidle (CSI)

CSI fans were in for a surprise in the season 6 finale of the CBS police procedural, when Sara Sidle (Jorja Fox) and Gil Grissom (William Petersen) ended up in bed with each other. The coupling was even more unexpected, given the age gap between the two characters, who later married in season 10: Grissom was not only Sara's boss but also 15 years older than her. 

Shelly Tambo (Northern Exposure)

Shelly Tambo (Cynthia Geary) was first introduced on the Alaska-set CBS dramedy Northern Exposure as the young girlfriend of sexagenarian Holling Vincoeur (John Cullum). She initially has a difficult time getting Holling down the altar, as the storied lifespans of the Vincoeur males has him worries that, despite being more than 40 years older than Shelly, he could outlive her for decades with a broken heart. 

Rachel Gatina (One Tree Hill)

The name "Rachel Gatina" is pretty notorious among One Tree Hill fans and for good reason: Danneel Harris's character had a long history of manipulation and promiscuity in the teen drama. And that drama didn't stop when she married Dan Scott, the father of her former Tree Hill schoolmates Lucas (Chad Michael Murray) and Nathan (James Lafferty).

Elena Gilbert (The Vampire Diaries)

Though Elena Gilbert (Nina Dobrev) looked around the same age as her primary love interests Stefan Salvatore (Paul Wesley) and Damon Salvatore (Ian Somerhalder) — the latter of whom she married in the season 8 finale episode — both men were significantly older than her as they were, of course, vampires. (Damon was 169 years old and Stefan was seven years younger in The Vampire Diaries pilot.) 

Nicole Wright (True Blood)

In the sixth season of HBO's fantasy drama True Blood, Merlotte's Bar and Grill owner Sam Merlotte (Sam Trammell) meets the much younger supernatural rights activist Nicole Wright (Jurnee Smollett-Bell). Despite the large age gap (there are 17 years between the performers) and the fact that they're different species (he a shapeshifter, she a mere human), the twosome goes on to leave Bon Temps together, marry and have children, as revealed in the show's epilogue. 

Someone should buy Imelda Staunton a drink of her choosing today, as the legendary actor’s previous chatter about a third, and seemingly final, Downton Abbey film has panned out. While we probably shouldn’t expect Downton Abbey 3 to debut on the 2024 movie schedule, that project has now officially been confirmed. What’s more, there’s two returning cast members that are in the mix that have me intensely focused on what their presence means. 

Introducing The Cast Of Downton Abbey 3

Let’s get the actual news out of the way: this third Downton movie has officially been announced by Focus Features and Carnival Films. The follow-up to 2022’s Downton Abbey: A New Era, pretty much the entire main cast of the series is returning, along with some other key players that make for promising additions. 

Here’s who we’re expecting, so far, per information from Focus Features: 

 It’s all coming together for Downton Abbey 3, as A New Era director Simon Curtis will be helming this latest sequel. And as you may have already guessed, series creator Julian Fellowes has written this new chapter in the Crawley family legacy. You can practically hear the theme music in your head, can’t you? But ask yourself, is it your imagination, or this wonderful announcement video, headed by Michelle Dockery herself, that you're hearing: 

However, I implore you Downton Abbey loyalists not to get too excited. In fact, you should read that cast list a little more carefully. I say this, because in addition to new faces like Joely Richardson and Alessandro Nivola, and the omission of Matthew Goode's name on the cast block (yet again), there's some exciting developments to be talked out. 

Paul Giamatti And Dominic West’s Returns Are Of Particular Note

Ok die hard Downton fans: let’s talk about the new old faces so big, they got their own piece of the announcement press release. Just in case you missed it, here’s how Focus Features confirmed both Paul Giamatti and Dominic West’s involvement in Downton Abbey 3:

For those of you who may have forgotten, or for you Giamatti fans that have somehow skipped Downton Abbey, Harold Levinson appeared in Season 4’s Christmas episode, “The London Season.” A man who loves yachts, but hates leaving America, I’m convinced his return means one of two things. 

One scenario is that mention of “many other fan favorites” is leaving the door open for Shirley MacLaine to return to her role as Martha Levinson. The mother of Cora (Elizabeth McGovern) and Harold, she may want to see her daughter again after learning of the bittersweet farewell to Dame Maggie Smith’s Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess. 

Taking place during Downton Abbey: A New Era’s ending, Violet's passing will still be felt as the future of the Downton estate progresses. Though that does bring up the other possibility: Harold Levinson may be returning to the fold to tell Cora that Martha herself has passed. 

As for the resurfacing presence of Guy Dexter, dashing actor and love interest for the also returning Thomas Barrow (Robert James-Collier), that sounds like potentially much happier news! Not only is Thomas theoretically going to get to see his Downton Abbey friends once more, but this more than likely means that his romance with Guy is still in play! 

Speaking from my fandom of this franchise, it would be another beautiful development. While 2019’s Downton Abbey: The Motion Picture seemed to flirt with this possibility, Mr. Barrow returned for the cinematic sequel without a mate. Of course, this presumed continuing romance is a theory, as we still don’t know much about where this new movie will be heading. 

Should Downton Abbey 3 be the final film in the series, there’s a ton of other questions that come to mind. Could The Crawley family be heading to Hollywood, or another U.S. hot spot, for their next adventure? Might a return to television still be in the cards as earlier rumors had suggested? Will we ever see Lily James’ Lady Rose return to tie up her own plotline? 

Now that we know the movie is actually happening, all this and more can officially be discussed. So make some tea, and be sure to pace yourselves, because this hype train does not have a final destination in mind just yet. 

Downton Abbey 3 does not have a release date set at this time. So there’s plenty of time to make sure the proper attire is ready for your trip to the cinema. Which means you also have the time to watch (or re-watch) all six seasons of the original series; as those adventures are currently available through the use of a Peacock subscription.

Downton Abbey may have ended as a TV show back in 2015, but this fictional world has lived on through the silver screen. The world has reunited with the Crawley family and their staff in two movies respectively released in 2019 and 2022, and earlier this month, Imelda Staunton, who played Lady Maud Bagshaw in both those features, revealed that Downton Abbey 3 is in the works. Keep in mind, this has yet to be officially confirmed, but Dan Stevens, one of the show’s original actors, has reacted to the news of the threequel, as well as shared his thoughts on why the franchise is so popular.

Stevens starred as Matthew Crawley in Downton Abbey’s first three seasons, with the character dying in a car crash at the end of “A Journey to the Highlands,” the 2012 Christmas special. More than a decade after his departure, Matthew remains one of Stevens’ most well-known roles, and while speaking with ET at the Los Angeles red carpet premiere for Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, the 2024 movie release that sees him joining the MonsterVerse, the actor said the following about Downton Abbey 3 and this franchise’s enduring appeal:

Premiering in 2010 on ITV in the United Kingdom and as part of PBS’ Masterpiece Classic anthology in the United States, Downton Abbey quickly became a worldwide sensation. By the end of its six-season run, it’d won 15 Emmys and collected the most nominations of any international TV series in the award show’s history. But even setting aside all its accolades, as Dan Stevens explained Downton Abbey has built a dedicated fanbase over nearly a decade and a half, to the point that, as is the case with many shows, these viewers have a established a personal connection with these characters, as well as helped them grow closer to people in their actual lives.

So even though Stevens won’t reprise Matthew Crawley in Downton Abbey 3, he’s clearly on board for another movie if is is indeed on the way. And since the cast of Downton Abbey: A New Era shared their ideas for what the third movie could be about back in 2022, they’re clearly game to reprise their characters. According to Staunton, Downton Abbey 3 will be the “final film,” meaning fans will want to brace themselves for finally saying goodbye to the Crawleys and those in their orbit… for real this time… probably.

On the other hand, it was rumored in February that filming had secretly begun on Downton Abbey Season 7, with the likes of Hugh Bonneville, Michelle Dockery, Elizabeth McGovern and Joanne Froggat set to reprise their roles. Allegedly this new season is expected to air by the end of the year, and if I had to guess, Dan Stevens would probably set some time aside to watch some, if not all of the episodes. Still, fingers crossed that the existence of either project is confirmed or debunked sooner rather than later, as many Downton Abbey fans would surely like the record set straight.

If you’re in the mood to stream the Downton Abbey saga, the series can be accessed with a Peacock subscription, Netflix subscribers can check out the first movie, and A New Era is over on Starz. Catch Dan Stevens playing Trapper in Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire starting this Friday, March 29.

Every time Downton Abbey seems to have closed its doors to the world, hope springs eternal for another round. The rumor mill has kept this series in everyone’s minds, even without a cinematic entry to speak of on the 2024 movie schedule. However, it appears those cast-submitted ideas for Downton Abbey 3 may come in handy after all, as it seems that a third film might actually happening!

If true, this is an assuredly exciting rumor, as there's never a bad time to return to Downton Abbey. That being said, it does cause me a bit of concern, as there’s another huge rumor that’s been floating around suggesting a Downton revival of an entirely different scope. 

How Imelda Staunton Broke The Downton Abbey 3 Rumor

While she may have played the ultimate authoritarian figure in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, actor Imelda Staunton clearly did not care about the rules when appearing on the BBC’s The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show. She literally said she didn’t care if she got into trouble for supposedly dropping hints about the potential future of the Downton saga.

Here’s what Staunton shared when asked by Ms. Ball if there was more to come: 

Listening to Staunton hype up this potential third and final movie, which would act as the hypothetical sequel to 2022’s Downton Abbey: A New Era, you can tell she’s excited to be giving the fans what they want. The way she enunciated the fact that this would be the “final film” in creator Julian Fellowes’ iconic drama series was proof alone. 

However, perhaps the reason Imelda Staunton isn’t afraid of spilling these beans is because there’s yet another massive rumor circulating in the world. While it’s also good news for Downton Abbey fans, there’s a huge difference in scope between Downton Abbey 3 and what this other report seems to suggest. 

Let’s Talk About That Other Massive Downton Abbey Rumor

In February 2024, there was a report from the Daily Mail that suggested yes, the Downton cast was assembled and secretly filming the next chapter. However, that rumor didn’t indicate a third film, but rather a seventh season of TV to be aired on ITV in the future. 

With insiders claiming enthusiasm running high, and NDAs being issued and signed, it appears that the game might be on after all. Thankfully, there aren’t any potential plot spoilers leaking out, like that time Downton Abbey 2’s set reports may have spoiled a huge third act death before its time. 

No matter which Downton Abbey rumor seems to win the day, it seems like there’s something afoot at the legendary Highclere Castle. Lady Fiona Carnarvon herself seems to have stoked those fires herself thanks to this TikTok that she’d posted around the timeframe of that Daily Mail report mentioned above: 

Mysteries abound in the world of Downton, and who knows if Imelda Staunton or the Daily Mail has the right information. Perhaps this is all part of a misinformation scheme to keep fans on their toes? Time will tell, as it's usually not too long after such rumors break that the truth eventually surfaces.

While we wait out this current storm of rumors for more information, it sounds like it's time to revisit Downton Abbey in whatever manner you choose. With the original series run currently streaming through a Peacock subscription, you can get back to the world of the televised incarnation. Meanwhile, the first Downton movie is streaming on Netflix, and Downton Abbey: A New Era is streaming through Starz, at the time of this publication. 

Stories about Kings, Queens, Princes, and Princesses have long been a Hollywood favorite. Sure, there are amazing fictional kings and queens like T’Challa in Black Panther and Abe Froman, the Sausage King of Chicago in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, but this list is about the real ones. Historical depictions of some of the greatest, and worst, monarchs in world history. Kings like Henry VIII and Louis XIV. Queens like Elizabeth II and Victoria. Sure, the movies they appear in are not always the most historically accurate, but that doesn’t diminish the portrayals of royalty by these fine actors. 

Patrick McGoohan As King Edward I - Braveheart

Braveheart is far from the most historically accurate movie of all time, but one character that Mel Gibson and company at least got close to correct is Edward I, or Edward Longshanks, as he was known in the movie and at the time. He was a brutal, remorseless leader, and fought with the Scots for most of his reign. Patrick McGoohan’s performance of Edward is great, one of the real highlights of the movie. 

Judi Dench As Queen Elizabeth I - Shakespeare In Love

To be sure, Shakespeare In Love isn’t as loved today as it was when it was released in 1998. Its upset win for Best Picture at the 1999 Oscars over Saving Private Ryan is still questioned and the movie is often maligned unfairly. One reason it's unfair is Judi Dench’s fantastic performance as Queen Elizabeth I. 

Emily Blunt As Queen Victoria - The Young Victoria

Most of the images we see of Queen Victoria come from later her in her long reign, after Prince Albert died and the older queen was seen wearing black and looking dour. The Young Victoria is a fresh take, showing the queen, played by Emily Blunt, as young and vibrant. It wasn’t a huge hit in the United States, but it’s a really good movie, with a great performance by Blunt. 

Kenneth Branagh As King Henry V - Henry V

Kenneth Branagh has done more for Shakespeare in the modern age than anyone in Hollywood and the prime example is his portrayal of the titular king in Henry V. His delivery of the famous St. Crispin's Day speech is worth the price of admission alone. 

Colin Firth As King George VI - The King's Speech

Colin Firth’s performance and King George VI in The King’s Speech is as close to perfect as possible and well deserving of the Oscar he was awarded for it. Firth brilliantly plays both the reluctant king’s vulnerability and his strength. It’s a fine line to walk, as both are completely necessary to understand King George VI in full. 

Kirsten Dunst As Marie Antoinette - Marie Antoinette

Marie Antoinette is one of the most infamous royals of all time. The French queen is notorious in history for her aloof attitude towards the revolting French peasants during the French Revolution. The film Marie Antoinette starring Kirsten Dunst as the titular queen, did wow audiences at first, but has since become one of Sofia Coppola’s most respected films, and with good reason. It’s a very modern movie telling an old story and Dunst’s performance enhances that perfectly. 

Elizabeth Taylor As Cleopatra - Cleopatra

Elizabeth Taylor’s performance in Cleopatra is one of the most iconic in Hollywood history. Though it deserves some criticism from more enlightened modern audiences, it doesn’t diminish the performance. Taylor is amazing and only a star like her could carry a movie on the scale and scope of Cleopatra. It’s a true Hollywood epic from the Golden Age of Hollywood and Taylor is as glamorous as any actor could be. 

Timothée Chalamet As King Henry V - The King

It’s not easy for any actor to step into one of Shakespeare’s best characters like Henry V in Henry V. This is a character that Laurence Olivier played on the silver screen for goodness sake!  Timothée Chalamet took the risk and it paid off for the actor and audiences in The King. The movie is a new take on Shakespeare’s plays,  taken from his four plays about historical English kings, so the pressure was on. Chalamet kills it in the movie, playing the role quite differently as others have, but it works for the updated version. 

Cate Blanchett As Queen Elizabeth I - Elizabeth

Elizabeth is a wonderful movie, anchored by a wonderful performance by Cate Blanchett as Queen Elizabeth I. Blanchett returned for a sequel, Elizabeth: A Golden Age which was a less-than-wonderful movie, but Blanchett was once again great. The performances in both set a new standard for the historical figure who has been portrayed often on film. 

Janet Suzman As Tsarina Alexandra - Nicholas And Alexandra

One of the most pivotal moments of the 20th Century was the overthrow and execution of Tsar Nicolas of Russia and his family by the Bolsheviks during the Russian Revolution. It’s a story that has rarely been told on film in the West, but Nicholas And Alexandra is the rare exception. It’s a good movie, with a great Oscar-nominated performance by Janet Suzman.

Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi As King Cetshwayo - Zulu

Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi is not a professional actor, and the great 1964 film Zulu is his only appearance. His role as King Cetshwayo is also not a large one, but he makes this list because one, he was an actual Zulu chief in South Africa, and two, he was the son of the man he plays. King Cetshwayo who led the Zulu Kingdom at the time of the war depicted in the movie, so while the part was not big, it’s important to have it on this list. 

Jonathan Rhys Meyers As King Henry VIII - The Tudors

One of the most popular depictions of royalty on screen in the last couple of decades has to be Jonathan Rhys Meyers As King Henry VIII in The Tudors. Meyers plays a young, dashing version of the king that most people know from his later portraits, looking less healthy than the king was as a young man. Henry VIII is one of the most notorious kings in English history and Meyers shows why, but also plays him as anti-hero we all kind of love. 

Helen Mirren As Queen Elizabeth II - The Queen

Helen Mirren's performance as Queen Elizabeth in the Queen is everything you would expect, as the The Dame plays the role with respect, but with with a toughness that the queen was known for behind closed doors. 

Sean Connery As King Richard - Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves

We couldn’t make this list without one of the most famous cameos of all time. It’s one of the shorter roles on the list, but Sean Connery’s surprise appearance as King Richard at the end of Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves shocked and delighted audiences. In real life, King Richard spent almost none of his time on the island of Great Britain, preferring to remain in Aquitaine in France, so it’s a bit of a stretch that he would be at a wedding in England, but no matter, he makes everyone smile. 

Trine Dyrholm As Queen Margrete - Margrete: Queen Of The North

Margaret I of Denmark is one of the most important monarchs in European history, to say nothing of her being a woman in power in the Middle Ages, which was very rare. Her story is well known in Scandinavia, but less known in the United States. That’s even more reason to watch the Danish movie Margrete: Queen Of The North, along with Trine Dyrholm’s performance of the queen. 

Claire Foy, Olivia Colman, and Imelda Staunton As Queen Elizabeth II - The Crown

How do you put only one of the three women who played Queen Elizabeth II on The Crown with such aplomb on this list? You can’t, so all three, Claire Foy, Olivia Colman, and Imelda Staunton all make it. Each one brought their own panache to the role of the now-legendary queen who we lost in 2022. Foy and Coleman both won Emmys for the role and Staunton was nominated in 2023. It’s three fantastic performances by three wonderful actresses. They even got to act together at the end. 

Nigel Hawthorne As King George III - The Madness Of King George

King George III is most famous in the United States for being the king we fought a revolution against. While he is considered one of the greatest kings in English history, he also had a severe undiagnosed mental illness that affected him later in life. It’s that part of his life that The Madness Of King George is about. It’s a hard role to play, but Nigel Hawthorne nails the role. 

Leonardo DiCaprio As King Louis XIV - The Man In The Iron Mask

There are surprisingly few portrayals of King Louis XIV of France in English-language cinema, despite the Sun King being one of the most consequential monarchs in European history. The most notable one is a fictionalized version of King Louis by Leonardo DiCaprio in The Man In The Iron Mask.

Vanessa Kirby, Helena Bonham Carter, and Lesley Manville As Princess Margaret - The Crown

One of the best achievements of The Crown (among many) was the show’s casting. The three actors who played Princess Margaret, Vanessa Kirby, Helena Bonham Carter, and Lesley Manville, all did an amazing job. You can’t pick one of the next because they all simply nailed the tragedy and triumph of the princess in the shadow of her older sister, Queen Elizabeth II. 

Olivia Coleman As Queen Anne - The Favourite

Olivia Coleman is great at playing royalty on screen, even when it’s a wildly fictionalized and weird version of Queen Anne like she does in The Favourite. The movie is very loosely based on history but is very much representative of director Yorgos Lanthimos’ style. So while Coleman may not be playing Queen Anne exactly as she was, it’s still a downright amazing performance. 

Natalie Dormer As Anne Boleyn - The Tudors

Natalie Dormer is perfectly cast as Anne Boleyn in The Tudors. She’s beautiful, yet vulnerable, coy, yet determined, and sweet, yet conniving. Boleyn is one of the most tragic queens in English history and it’s hard to picture anyone but Dormer playing her after she starred in this show. 

Richard Harris As King Arthur - Camelot

We could argue all day about how “real” King Arthur was. More myth than man in English folklore, there isn’t even consensus on whether he existed at all. But no matter, Richard Harris’ portrayal of the legend in Camelot is still worthy of mention on this list because it’s so darn good and so darn iconic. 

Oliver Dimsdale As King Edward VIII - Downton Abbey

In the finale of Season 4 of Downton Abbey, audiences meet Edward VIII when he is still Prince of Wales, before becoming king and before his abdication shocked the world. Though it’s not the biggest role, Oliver Dimsdale instantly gives you a sense of exactly who the future Duke of Windsor was, a conniving womanizer who really wasn't fit to be king. 

Katharine Hepburn As Eleanor Of Aquitaine - The Lion In Winter

It’s hard to understand why The Lion In Winter isn’t as remembered as other movies from the late ‘60s, because Katharine Hepburn's performance as Eleanor Of Aquitaine, the queen of England in the 12th Century, is amazing. She even took home an Oscar for it. 

Sean Bean as Odysseus - Troy

In the original theatrical version of Troy, Odysseus, the King of Ithaca, played by Sean Bean, doesn’t have all that big of a role. He’s a scene-stealer though. In the director’s cut, which makes for a much better movie, the role is expanded. Plus, it's a rare movie that Sean Bean doesn’t die in. 

Sigourney Weaver as Queen Isabella I - 1492: Conquest Of Paradise

There’s no way around this: 1492: Conquest Of Paradise is not a good movie. It’s historically inaccurate and celebrates Christopher Columbus a little too much while ignoring a lot of his atrocities. Still, Sigourney Weaver, while slightly miscast, does a phenomenal job with what she’s given to do as Queen Isabella I of Spain, Columbus’ benefactor. 

Tadanobu Asano As Genghis Khan - Mongol

If this was a list of the worst performances of royalty, John Wayne’s offensive and terrible version of Genghis Khan in The Conqueror would be at the top of the list. On the flip side, we have the Japanese actor Tadanobu Asano as the Mongolian king in Mongol. It’s not the most widely-known movie, as it’s a Russian production in Mandarin and Mongolian. It’s worth your time and effort to seek it out though, it’s fantastic. 

Judi Dench As Queen Victoria - Mrs. Brown

Is there a role out there that Dame Judi Dench doesn’t nail? That’s a rhetorical question, of course, and her performance as Queen Victoria in Mrs. Brown is certainly no exception. Though the actual history in the movie is dubious at best, putting that aside and enjoying the movie is easy with Dench as the recently widowed queen. 

Gerard Butler As Leonidas - 300

Of all the movies in this movie that stretch the true stories to their max, 300 wins in that category. Still, Gerard Butler’s portrayal of Leonidas is a fan-favorite for good reason. Sure, it’s mostly because he looks so darn good, but the movie is fun, exciting, and completely unique, so we’ll allow for a little historical nonsense. 

Richard Harris As Marcus Aurelius - Gladiator

Another movie on this list that takes a lot of liberties with its historical accuracy, Gladiator basically changes everything about Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris) and Commodus’ (Joaquin Phoenix) real-life father/son relationship. But both Phoenix and Harris are fantastic in their roles, so again, we’ll allow it. 

Peter O'Toole As Henry II - The Lion In Winter

The Lion in Winter has a few excellent portrayals of royalty. Katherine Hepburn as Eleanor of Aquitaine, Timothy Dalton as King Philip of France, and Anthony Hopkins as a young Richard The Lionhearted. Of course, the lead in the film, Peter O’Toole as Henry II is the lead for a reason. In a career filled with amazing performances, this is one of O’Toole’s best and resulted in one of his eight Best Actor nominations. 

Chris Pine As Robert The Bruce - Outlaw King

Robert The Bruce has been portrayed in a few films, probably most famously by Angus Macfadyen in Braveheart. While that performance is great, Outlaw King, with Chris Pine in the lead role, is a more historically accurate version of the story of Robert fighting the English and rising to King of the Scots. 

Audiences have always been fascinated by the lives of monarchs worldwide, and that is not likely to change anytime soon. We’ll continue to see great portrayals of royalty in entertainment for a long time to come. 

Twists and turns and shocking moments are why we love great TV. There is nothing like a moment on your favorite show that sends a cold shiver up your spine and has you thinking about it for days, weeks, or even months after it happens. The moments that get everyone talking and sometimes change pop culture completely. This is our list of just some of our favorite times television shows left us speechless. 

Warning! Major Spoilers Below!

Omar's Last Moments - The Wire

Omar Little from The Wire is one of the greatest characters in TV history. For most of the show, Omar is the ultimate survivor in a dangerous game of life and death on the streets. Then suddenly, in the third-to-last episode of the series, he is gunned down in a convenience store by Kenard, a mere child. It's shocking and tragic for viewers who had come to love the troubled character. 

Matthew Crawley's Crash - Downton Abbey

The Season 3 finale of Downton Abbey pulls the rug out from under its fans in a hurry. It seems like the season will end on a happy note, with Lady Mary coming through a tough delivery of her first child and issues with the estate settled. That's when it happens, Matthew Crawley, out for a drive, comes head-on with a truck and is killed. It's sudden and shocking. 

Not Penny's Boat - Lost

Lost provided weekly twists and turns that the loyal fans of the show obsessed over for days. One moment that caused months of discussion came in the Season 3 finale when Charlie, on the verge of drowning, used his last moments to convey that the boat they thought belonged to Desmond's fiancee, was not, in fact, Penny's boat. 

Mrs. Landingham's Car Crash - The West Wing

The final episode of Season 3 of The West Wing, called "Two Cathedrals" is often cited as one of the show's best episodes. It's also one of its most tragic for something that actually happens off-screen, Mrs. Landingham's death in a car crash. Dolores Landingham was beloved by her fellow characters and fans of the show, and her death, as she drove her new car back to work, is probably the saddest moment in West Wing history. 

Ned Stark's Loses His Head - Game Of Thrones

We could populate this entire list with just shocking Game of Thrones moments and the first really "holy cow" moments came in the penultimate episode of Season 1 when the hero thus far of the story, Ned Stark, met his swift end on the order of King Joffrey. It was one of the most meaningful deaths of the series and showed viewers that no character was ever safe. 

Negan And His Baseball Bat - The Walking Dead

In the final episode of Season 6, The Walking Dead introduced its most terrifying villain of the whole series, Negan. To show just how terrible he was, the show provides possibly the most shocking moment of the series, when Negan takes his baseball bat to Abraham and Glenn's heads in one of the goriest moments in TV history. Audiences lost two of their favorite characters and gained a villain to despise. 

Helly's Outie - Severance

Throughout all of Season 1 of Severance, viewers are left pondering what exactly the purpose of the workers is. We also see the newest team member, Helly, fight and claw to get out, a rebel against the system. In the finale, we learn who Helly's "outie" is, and it's shocking, as she's the daughter of the company founder, but her "innie" is ready to take down the system. 

The Red Wedding - Game Of Thrones

The Red Wedding has been hailed as one of the most shocking moments in all of TV history. Coming in the penultimate episode of Season 3, Walder Frey's betrayal of the Starks led to the terrible deaths of Robb Stark, his wife Talisa, and his mother Catelyn. It truly shook the entertainment world.  

Dr. McDreamy's Car Crash - Grey's Anatomy

Dr. Derek Shepherd's death at the end of Season 11 of Grey's Anatomy was a brutal, stunning moment that broke millions of fans' hearts. While on the surface it seemed like a heartless way to end a show favorite's run on the show, for showrunner Shonda Rhimes, it made more sense than discarding all that was wonderful about Shepherd's relationship with Meredith. 

Walter Watching Jane - Breaking Bad

One of the most brutal scenes in the brutal show that was Breaking Bad was Walter coldly watching Jesse's girlfriend take her last breath without lifting a finger to help. He needed her out of the picture, but it was a glimpse into how far gone Walter was at that point. 

Who Shot Mr. Burns? - The Simpsons

Season Six of The Simpsons ended with one of the all-time great cliffhangers after most of Springfield was angry with Mr. Burns for one reason or another and he winds up shot. Was it Homer? Mr. Smithers? Tito Puente? No, it was none of those, when it was revealed in the Season 7 premiere that it was... Maggie? Eh, best not to think about it too much. 

"We Have To Go Back" - Lost

It was five words that sent shivers up the backs of fans in the Season 3 finale of Lost. For almost three seasons, fans were used to the flashback element of the show, and in that finale, it seemed like a regular Jack flashback. That is until Kate appears and Jack implores her to go "back" to the island with him, revealing that we'd all been watching a flashforward. 

Nina's The Mole - 24

Fox's 24 took the world by storm in its first season with its white-knuckle action and near-constant cliffhangers. One reliable part of the team was Nina Myers, Jack Bauer's righthand woman at CTU. That is until it's revealed that she'd been a mole all along and was working with the enemy, which Jack learned when he found that Nina had killed his wife. 

Tony And Ralph - The Sopranos

For much of its run, The Sopranos relied on twists and shock-endings less than other shows of the time. That doesn't mean the show didn't have them. One prominent example was when Tony Soprano suddenly attacked Ralph Cifaretto, offing him a brutal fit of rage over a number of Ralph's past deeds. 

Rosiland Shays' Elevator Fall - LA Law

Going way back to the 1980s, when shocking twists were few and far between, one of the most surprising moments on TV was the death of Rosiland Shays' on LA Law. Shays was a polarizing character, but she walked into an empty elevator shaft in Season 5 and fell to her death, it shocked everyone. 

Zoe In The Subway - House Of Cards

Zoe Barnes was a key character in the first two seasons of House Of Cards. The reporter was both an antagonist and a friend of Frank Underwood. In what seemed like a relatively benign moment as Zoe waited for a subway, she was suddenly pushed by Frank in front of an oncoming train.

Poussey Gets Suffocated - Orange Is The New Black

On Orange Is The New Black, Poussey was a fan favorite. She was thoughtful and caring, so when she was killed by a guard during a protest, it shocked and saddened everyone watching. One of the hardest moments in the show. 

The Purple Wedding - Game Of Thrones

King Joffrey Baratheon was one of the greatest villains on Game of Thrones and in TV history. By the time Season 4 rolled around, fans had had enough of the evil brat. That's why his death in Episode 2 of Season 4 was both shocking and satisfying. 

Dylan's Father's Car - Beverly Hills, 90210

Most of the twists and turns on Beverly Hills, 90210 were about teenage love triangles or midterms. Very rarely did the show ever tackle more serious issues, but when it did it usually involved Dylan. Like when Dylan's father was blown up in his car as Dylan watched. Intense. 

Bernard The Host - Westworld

Westworld was never shy about shocking fans, and although the signs were there, and fan theories abounded over Bernard's real place in the robot theme park when it was revealed he himself was a host, it still came as a huge surprise to many. Not as shocking as some on this list, but one heck of a twist. 

The Sopranos Blink To Black - The Sopranos

It's one of the most hotly debated moments in television history. The final scene of The Sopranos. While Journey plays on the jukebox, the tension builds if for no other reason than audiences knew something had to happen as the show wrapped up. Then it happens – or doesn't happen – when the scene suddenly goes black, the music stops, and the credits roll. Did Tony die? It doesn't matter, the discussion is what matters. 

The Plane Crash - MASH

In a lot of ways, MASH changed television, and one thing they were pioneers of was having a beloved character suddenly die. Such was the case in the finale episode of Season 3 when Colonel Blake gets discharged from the army and is headed home, only to suddenly die in a plane crash off camera. Famously, the cast was not told of this detail until the scene was shot and in many ways, their reactions were the same as the audience's, shock and sadness. 

John Locke's Wheelchair - Lost

Lost really set up early that it would be full of big reveals and one of the biggest in the first season was discovering John Locke was in a wheelchair in his flashbacks. It comes in the fourth episode of the series after Locke has been well-established as one of the most capable survivors on The Island and it was mind-blowing. Just what was going on, on this island?

Laura Palmer's Father - Twin Peaks

Twin Peaks wrote the book on spooky murder mysteries and set a new standard for appointment TV back in the 1990s. For most of the short series, the one question everyone needed to know, of course, was who killed Laura Palmer? We finally got our answer in Season 2 when we found out it was Leland Palmer, Laura's father. Had there been an internet in 1991, the revelation would've broken it.

Stringer Bell's Last Stand - The Wire

Stringer Bell is one of the most consequential characters in the early seasons of The Wire and while his growing tension with his partner Avon Barksdale showed no signs of abating, you got the feeling that Stringer was going to win the battle for control of the organization. That all suddenly and violently came to an end when Omar and Brother Mouzone team up to take Stringer out. 

Not The Good Place - The Good Place

Sitcoms aren't often noted for their dramatic plot twists, which is what makes the one at the end of Season 1 of The Good Place so great. Eleanor and her friends never felt like they belonged in the Good Place and in the finale, they learn it's because they are actually in the Bad Place.  

Bobby Ewing Reappearing - Dallas

Of course, Dallas is most famous for its "Who shot JR?" cliffhanger, the resolution of which led to one of the highest-rated TV episodes of all time. That wasn't the only big surprise to come from the show though. JR's brother, Bobby, died at the end of Season 8 and much of Season 9 is about his widow Pam dealing with it. Then, in the final scene of the season, Bobby suddenly reappears in the shower as if nothing had happened. It turns out, the whole season was a dream by Pam. Yeah, no one was really happy with that revelation. 

Brody Comes Back From The Edge - Homeland

For the entire phenomenal first season of Homeland, viewers are torn on whether to trust Brody is a good guy or believe Carrie that he's a bad guy. When it's revealed which side he stands on, one of the tensest scenes ever occurs when Brody almost goes through with his plot, but at the last second, decides not to. 

Janice And Richie - The Sopranos

Janice Soprano and Richie Aprile are an odd couple from the beginning and while it's not surprising that Janice would finally snap, it was still shocking when she did and shot Richie after a serious fight. 

Trinity Gets The Last Word - Dexter

Dexter on Dexter spends more time chasing the Trinity Killer than any other of his victims. When he finally catches the serial killer, it's supposed to be a win. Sadly for Dexter and Rita, Trinity has already killed Rita and it's a shocking reversal of emotions. 

For The Watch - Game Of Thrones

Even by Game of Thrones standards, the Night's Watch turning on Jon Snow and ambushing him was incredibly shocking. In the finale of Season 5, viewers were left to ponder if Jon Snow was actually dead. It was a long year of waiting for that answer for fans. 

Lawrence Shocks Everyone - House

It's rare for procedurals like House to have any really shocking moments, but towards the end of Season 5, provides one. Due to actor Kal Penn leaving the show to go work for the Obama administration of all things, his character Lawrence Kutner dies by his own hand off screen and leaves his co-workers, and fans of the show, devastated. 

There are, of course, many other examples, especially now, in the Golden Age of Television, but few can match the completely shocking moments on this list. 

Airing on PBS from 2010 to 2015, making it one of the many prestige TV shows that didn’t air on HBO, Downton Abbey is still considered to be one of the best small screen dramas of all time. The saga of the Crawley family across the 1910s and 1920s collected multiple Emmy Awards and other accolades during its run, and even after the show finished, the public got to reunite with these characters in two movies: 2019’s Downton Abbey: The Motion Picture and 2022’s Downton Abbey: A New Era. These days, the series and that latter movie can be streamed with a Peacock subscription, while the former movie can be accessed with a Netflix subscription.

But the Downton Abbey journey only lasts so long, and once you’re finished, you may be itching to watch shows similar to it, i.e. period dramas exploring class and society, or at least something tangential to that. So for those looking for shows like Downton Abbey to binge next, here’s our selection on what to check out and how to watch them.

The Gilded Age

Let’s get the most obvious pick out of the way first. If you’re looking to watch another period piece show from showrunner Julian Fellowes, the man who created Downton Abbey, then look no further than the currently-running The Gilded Age. Beginning in 1882, 30 years before the start of Downton Abbey, this series is set in the United States and follows an ensemble cast anchored by Louisa Jacobson’s Marian Brook, who’s forced to live with her estranged aunts after losing access to her wealth due to the death of her father, who’d gone bankrupt. 

Why The Gilded Age is like Downton Abbey: As with Downton Abbey, The Gilded Age focuses on both the wealthy and those in their circles, including their domestic workers, during this particular historical period. In this case though, viewers are following along with a clash between the old wealth and new wealth families, and there’s also a focus on the African-American upper class. Still, between that subject matter, elaborate costumes and same guiding creative hand, the similarity doesn’t get any stronger than between these two shows.

Stream The Gilded Age on Max.

Upstairs, Downstairs

From 1971 to 1975, Upstairs, Downstairs aired on ITV, with the story stretching from 1903 to 1930. The subjects of attention are the Bellamy family, who live in London’s Belgravia district, and we see how things like the Edwardian era, World War I and the societal upheaval in the 1920s change their lives. There was also a follow-up show that ran from 2010 to 2012.

Why Upstairs, Downstairs is like Downton Abbey: Although it’s hard to say if Julian Fellowes was directly inspired by Upstairs, Downstairs when coming up with Downton Abbey, it’s impossible not to see how similar the two shows are. This is a critically-acclaimed British show following a wealthy family and their employees across multiple decades that was eventually screened as part of PBS’ Masterpiece Theatre. Need I say more?

Stream Upstairs, Downstairs on BritBox.

The Crown

Frequently called one of the best shows on Netflix, The Crown premiered on the streaming service in 2016 and wrapped its six-season run in December 2023. The show followed along with the British monarchy from 1947 until the mid-2000s, with its ensemble cast including notable names like Claire Foy, Matt Smith, Olivia Colman, Vanessa Kirby, John Lithgow, Matthew Goode, Gillian Anderson and Jonny Lee Miller.

Why The Crown is like Downton Abbey: Once again, we have a series that’s focused on elite players in British society, although in this case, obviously the monarchy is at the top of the proverbial food chain in British society. In the case of The Crown though, viewers got to see how certain characters’ lives changed across more than half a century, though the actors playing them changed every couple seasons.

Stream The Crown on Netflix.

Bridgerton

Taking place during the Regency era, which lasted roughly from 1795 to 1837, Bridgerton focuses on eight siblings from the title London family who are looking for love amongst other members of high society. Its cast includes folks like Nicola Coughlan, Adjoa Anode and Jonathan Bailey.

Why Bridgerton is like Downton Abbey: While Downton Abbey certainly wasn’t lacking in romantic plots, there’s definitely more emphasis on this kind of storytelling in Bridgerton. Still, fans of the former show will feel quite comfortable in the latter show’s environment following along with this ensemble lineup of characters forming close relationships, and there are even some rivalries thrown in to spice up the drama.

Stream Bridgerton on Netflix.

The Buccaneers

The newest entry on this lineup of shows, The Buccaneers is based on the same-named unfinished novel by Edith Wharton initially published in 1938, and then finished by Marion Mainwaring by 1993. The story follows a group of American women in the 1870s who move to London and experience quite the culture clash. The Buccaneers was previously adapted as a miniseries in 1995, but this version will run for multiple seasons.

Why The Buccaneers is like Downton Abbey: One of the key characters in Downton Abbey is Cora Crawley, Robert Crawley’s wife who hails from the United States. The series never really delved into what it was like for an American living amongst the British since, by the time we met her, she’d already been in England for some time. However, if you’d like to get a sense of how she might have acclimated to her new home, give The Buccaneers a watch.

Stream The Buccaneers on Apple TV+.

Outlander

Rather than being a straightforward historical drama, Outlander also nicely mixes in the fantasy genre. Caitríona Balfe’s Claire Randall, who served as a nurse for the British Army during World War II, is transported from 1945 to 1742 while visiting Scotland with her husband. Upon arriving roughly two centuries in the past though, Claire meets a Highlander named Jamie Fraser, played by Sam Heughan. 

Why Outlander is like Downton Abbey: To be sure, Outlander is arguably the most different of the shows on this list from Downton Abbey given its time travel, but it’s nonetheless worth a watch if you’re looking to follow romance in times gone by. Besides, not only does this outlandish premise deliver twice the period piece goodness, quite a bit of time passes between both eras as the series goes on, so you can see how life is like for these characters later on in the 18th and 20th centuries.

Stream Outlander on Starz.
Stream Outlander on Netflix.

Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries

In this show that hails from Australia, we follow along with Essie Davis’ Phryne Fisher, a glamorous private detective solving crimes in late 1920s Melbourne. Following Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries concluding in 2015, the movie Miss Fisher and the Crypt of Tears came out in 2020, and a spinoff show called Ms Fisher's Modern Murder Mysteries, which follows Phryne’s niece Annabelle in the 1960s, has been airing since 2019.

Why Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries is like Downton Abbey: The first two seasons of Downton Abbey took place from 1912 to 1918, but everything else afterwards unfolded across the 1920s. So if you’re looking for a show that brings you back to this decade and is a little more thrilling, then take a trip to the Land Down Under and make your way through this three-season show.

Stream Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries on Acorn TV.

Mr. Selfridge

After Entourage ended, Jeremy Piven shifted to playing Mr. Selfridge’s title character, a.k.a. Harry Gordon Selfridge, the real-life retail magnate from the United States who opened the Selfridges department store in London. The show took place from 1908 to 1930 across four 10-episode seasons, and Piven’s co-stars included Frances O’Connor, Ron Cook and Amanda Abbington, among many others. 

Why Mr. Selfridge is like Downton Abbey: In addition to operating within a similar time frame as Downton Abbey and also taking place in England, Mr. Selfridge is another show that follows the prosperous lead forming close relationships with the staff members. Granted, it’s a different dynamic compared to the servants employed at the Crawley house, but it should be enough to entice Downton Abbey fans.

Stream Mr. Selfridge on PBS Masterpiece.

The Durrells

Based on the real-life Durrell family, with matriarch Louisa Durrell leading the charge, The Durrells, which is called The Durrells in Corfu in America, is a semi-fictionalized account of Keeley Hawes’ character moving her family From Bournemouth to the island of Corfu in Greece. In addition to dealing with the shift in culture, the family also has to contend with money problems and their home not coming with plumbing or electricity.

Why The Durrells is like Downton Abbey: The Durrells leans more into humor than Downton Abbey did, and this family is certainly not in the same income bracket as The Crawleys. Still, if you’re looking to comfort watch a family’s exploits in a sunnier setting during the early 20th century, then this is the show to check out.

Stream The Durrells on Amazon Prime Video.

Lark Rise to Candleford

Finally, we have Lark Rise to Candleford, with Lark Wise being the hamlet based in Oxforshire and Candleford being the nearby wealthier marketing town. In the late 19th century, a young woman named Laura Timmins moves from Lark Rise to Candleford to work at the latter’s post office, which is run by her mother’s cousin, Dorcas Lane. These two go on to form a close relationship and face all sorts of good times and bad times together.

Why Lark Rise to Candleford is like Downton Abbey: Once again, here’s a show that points the spotlight on people from both the lower and upper social classes. In this case though, the story is based on real life, with the original, semi-autobiographical Lark Rise to Candleford novels being published by Flora Thompson from 1939 to 1945. So check this show out if you’re looking for something set at the tail end of the 1800s and are intrigued by the differing lifestyles of these two communities.

Stream Lark Rise to Candleford on Roku.
Stream Lark Rise to Candleford on BritBox.

While it remains to be seen if a third Downton Abbey movie will ever be made, the good news is that once you’ve finished the series and two following theatrical presentations, you can occupy your time with these TV shows that you may end up liking just as much or even more. For all other small screen-related matters, keep visiting CinemaBlend on the latest news and consult our 2024 TV schedule. 

Over the last several decades, the critical view of television has changed from being a lesser, more mass produced art form, not on the level of movies, to being the place for some of the most creative and progressive content being produced. Much of that collective reappraisal is due to HBO. In the late '90s and early 2000s, the premium cable company poured money into original productions like The Sopranos, Sex And The City, The Wire, Six Feet Under and more. 

As the awards, critical praise, positive fan feedback and subscriptions poured in, more TV networks started taking chances on difficult and complicated subject matter and shelling out to attract major stars. HBO still remains arguably the most famous and successful prestige TV network, but over the last few decades, tons of other networks have taken their chances with riskier and complicated shows. Many of those chances have paid off too.

Here’s a look at some really famous and really successful prestige TV shows that didn’t air on HBO but likely took some level of inspiration from the path the network blazed.

House Of Cards (Netflix)

Few shows in the history of television have upended the entire industry more than House Of Cards. The political drama was the first major original production from Netflix, and the reviews were overwhelmingly positive. Emmy nominations in all the major categories helped create a ton of word of mouth, and within a few years, Netflix’s long-term strategy shifted from a focus on acquiring content to a focus on producing content. 

Downton Abbey (ITV/ PBS)

Every awards voter knows period piece family dramas set among the aristocracy can be major contenders for awards, but Downton Abbey proved just how popular they can be with a broad audience too. The sprawling historical drama found huge popularity in both Britain and The United States, ultimately producing six seasons and multiple movies, and yes, of course, it won plenty of awards too.

The Americans (FX)

One of my personal favorite shows on this entire list, The Americans was a bit of a slow build. Its first season got very solid ratings and a few nominations, but within a few seasons, the spy drama about a Russian family pretending to be Americans was attracting huge Metacritic scores and picking up Emmy nominations in all the major categories for both the show itself and its brilliant lead actors Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys. 

Breaking Bad (AMC)

Widely considered to be one of the greatest shows of all-time, Breaking Bad may not have been on premium cable, but its subject matter was every bit as uncomfortable and morally complicated as anything found elsewhere. By the end of its incredible five-season run, the show had won two Emmys for Outstanding Drama, as well as acting Emmys for three of its primary actors and nominations for two more. 

The Good Wife (CBS)

Prestige TV shows typically have shorter seasons. Maintaining the highest quality over ten episodes is a lot easier than doing it over the twenty-plus network TV typically requires, but The Good Wife was able to maintain high quality thanks to really tight scripts that perfectly blended courtroom case-of-the-week style procedural elements with real character development. Great acting performances also helped, as its actors were collectively nominated an astounding thirty times at The Emmys over just six seasons.

Justified (FX)

Prestige TV shows are most often classified by the number of awards they won, but sometimes it’s about elevating a genre and having an original vision. That’s the case with Justified. It had eight Emmy nominations (and two wins for Margo Martindale and Jeremy Davies), but it’s here mostly because of how much life and originality it brought to the crime genre. It slowly evolved past being a procedural and into a carefully plotted linear story featuring a holler of fascinating backwoods personalities.

Orange Is The New Black (Netflix)

Whether awards voters were asked to call it a comedy or a drama, Orange Is The New Black found a very large and very passionate fanbase with its unique blend of prison shenanigans and societal commentary. It also helped prove Netflix was going to be a long-term threat for prestige television awards long after House Of Cards was gone.

The Great (Hulu)

The Great is maybe the most outlandish show I have ever watched and this comes from someone that’s watched Twin Peaks multiple times. There was no line this show wouldn’t cross, but with a filthy wit, it was able to ride the line between stupid and clever and rewrite the history of Catherine The Great And Peter III’s relationship in a really fascinating way. Reviews were great, and by the end, the lead actors were getting recognized for huge awards.

Lost (ABC)

I’m not sure there will be a single entry on this list that’s more divisive than Lost. The show, which Wikipedia calls a science fiction adventure drama, lost the patience of a percentage of its audience by the end, but it’s impossible to deny just how hooked millions were there for awhile. And with good reason. It got fifty-four Emmy nominations during its run and many are still discovering its joys on streaming.

30 Rock (NBC)

The bar is a lot higher for a comedy to be considered Prestige television, but there are few comedies in the history of television more praised and widely respected than 30 Rock. The hysterical take on the backstage politics behind making a TV show won Outstanding Comedy at the Emmys three times and in later seasons, attracted some of the biggest stars in the world for multi-episode guest spots.

Mad Men (AMC)

Apart from the fact that it’s utterly fantastic, Mad Men is one of the most important TV shows of the last few decades because it conclusively proved literally any network had the ability to create one of the buzziest, most acclaimed series on television, including AMC which launched Mad Men as its first original program. It also turned Jon Hamm into a huge star, and shined a light on many members of its talented supporting cast.

Dexter (Showtime)

Yeah, I know Dexter was inconsistent during its run, but man, was that Dark Passenger fun to ride around with when it was good. Showtime’s drama about a serial killer who tried to live by a moral code netted its primary actor, Michael C Hall, five well-earned Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead and netted terrific vet John Lithgow a guest star Emmy win for his terrifying work in Season 4. 

Homeland (Showtime)

Homeland didn’t have quite the universal acclaim in its later seasons, but there aren’t many shows in TV history that could match the universal acclaim of its early seasons. Its terrific first season won Outstanding Drama at The Emmys, as well as statues for its two lead actors Claire Danes and Damian Lewis. Altogether, it’s probably the most talked about and acclaimed series in Showtime history, and that’s huge praise given what else has been on that network.

The West Wing (NBC)

The West Wing is perhaps a little more inside the box and network TV-ish than a lot of other entries on this list, but to me, that’s part of its appeal. It’s well put together enough to consistently provide payoff moments, but it’s good enough at what it’s doing that the formula rarely gets in the way. Voters agreed, as it nominated the show for an astounding ninety-eight Emmys.

Ted Lasso (Apple+)

At its absolute best, Ted Lasso, the show but also, the person, has a way of making you feel so unreservedly happy. Before you realize it, you’re rooting for these characters more passionately and with more love in your heart than you ever knew was possible for a TV show. Critics, fans and awards voters all agreed too, as for awhile there, Ted Lasso became the most talked about thing on streaming.

Weeds (Showtime)

Given it ran for eight seasons, Weeds is far from the most nominated show on this list. Some of its actors did well at The Emmys, but what’s really important long-term about the drug dealing dramedy is how it turned what could have been a goofy, throwaway premise of suburban mom turned drug dealer into sharply written material that explored many different emotions and tones. It was never content to remain the same, which is the opposite of what many comedies want.

Grey's Anatomy (ABC)

This choice for sure is picking up some eyerolls, but people forget how freakin’ good Grey’s Anatomy was during its first handful of seasons. It earned multiple Outstanding Drama nominations, and many of its actors, most prominently Sandra Oh and Chandra Wilson, were nominated for their performances. Its third season premiere was also watched live by more than twenty-five million people, which was a huge number at the time, especially for a critical darling.

24 (FOX)

24’s unconventional format of having episodes correspond to specific hours was a masterstroke, given the high pressure intensity of its subject matter. It was also able to really push the line with network television but more in the way of aggression and physical violence. It felt dangerous at the time, and decades later, that ever-present ferocity still comes through. It was consistently rewarded by critics and awards voters too in a way you almost never see for something this action-packed.

Modern Family (ABC)

Modern Family works so well because it’s really good at many different types of comedy. It has an overarching tone, sure, but because it brings together multiple generations, as well as many varied characters, it mines a lot of different subject matter for humor. That allows the show to feel fresh and keep from getting repetitive for longer than most comedies. Its wild range is probably best exemplified by the show somehow getting a combined six nominations in the Supporting Actor and Supporting Actress Emmy categories in the same year.

Better Call Saul (AMC)

There aren’t many spinoff shows in the history of television that pick right up where the original left off in terms of quality. Better Call Saul is a rare exception, which is positively insane given the original quality it needed to aspire to was maybe the greatest show ever in Breaking Bad. Fortunately, Bob Odenkirk is an absolute delight to watch, and Better Call Saul was able to give many of Breaking Bad’s greatest side characters more chances to shine.

Schitt's Creek (CBC)

If you want to know how beloved Schitt’s Creek was when it went off the air, especially among awards voters, look no further than the acting nominations it got during its last run at The Emmys. It somehow netted nine nominations just in the on-screen performance categories. It was a great final moment for a show that was often able to feel like both the best parts of a sitcom and the best parts of a linear dramedy at the same time.

Mr. Robot (USA)

Over the course of four critically acclaimed seasons, Mr. Robot built up a passionate fanbase who loved the dynamic between Rami Malek and Christian Slater, as well as the score and pace of the series. Starting mostly with its second season, it was also honored quite a bit by various award shows, including The Emmys, which gave Malek the Best Lead Actor award, along with nominating the show itself, guest actor BD Wong and more. 

Rescue Me (FX)

A show on FX about firefighters starring stand-up comedian Dennis Leary probably wouldn’t strike most people as a future Emmy winner and critical darling, but Rescue Me was never afraid of tackling more complicated material. That willingness to explore tougher subject matter attracted audiences, as well as high profile guest stars including Michael J Fox who picked up an Emmy for his contributions. 

This Is Us (NBC)

This is Us was so popular during its first few seasons that NBC gave it the post Super Bowl slot. The show took full advantage and aired a Super Bowl-themed episode that many consider to be one of the best of This Is Us’ entire run. It’s a perfect example of how the show, at its best, weaves together the type of complicated subject matter Emmy voters go for, while remaining broad enough to satisfy a massive audience. The actors in particularly were consistently hit with nominations, especially Sterling K Brown who was recognized by The Emmys five times.

The Crown (Netflix)

Typically when a show connects with a large audience, critics and awards voters, those behind the scenes do everything they can to keep the magic going with the original cast. Not The Crown. Rather than focus on a narrow window, the show hurtled forward, picking up new leads and new characters every few seasons, while somehow still maintaining enough quality to connect with Emmy voters and please its legion of fans.

The L Word (Showtime)

The L Word was never as enticing to awards voters as it should have been, though Ossie Davis did notably win an Emmy for Guest Actor, but its popularity and effect on prestige TV’s willingness to tackle LGBT+ subject matter cannot be overstated. Over the course of six seasons, the show tackled a wide variety of subjects and built a rich, complicated world of interconnected characters for its fanbase to root for and sometimes get mad at. 

Fargo (FX)

Taking spiritual inspiration from The Coen Brothers’ movie of the same name, no one was quite sure what to expect when Fargo premiered back in 2014, but the result was a fantastic crime narrative that was entirely different, yet oddly similar to the pace of the original film. Critics were overwhelmingly hot and loads of major nominations followed, especially for the actors. Subsequent seasons went in very different directions, but the basic spirit and popularity with awards voters remained. 

The Handmaid's Tale (Hulu)

House Of Cards may have been the first streaming show to get significant critical acclaim and awards nominations, but The Handmaid’s Tale is actually the first one to win Best Drama at The Emmys. The unnerving and often disturbing adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s novel is a tough watch but can be so rewarding, as millions of viewers found out. Its first few seasons in particular were showered with praise and numerous nominations for both the show itself and its brilliant cast.

Arrested Development (FOX/ Netflix)

Has a comedy ever used a narrator better than Arrested Development? The well-written and often deeply weird comedy never attracted the biggest audience, but it was a huge hit with its fanbase and critics, who adored the complicated relationships between its characters and their ridiculous recurring jokes and plots. By the end of its short run, it won Best Comedy and Best Writing at The Emmys and saw four of its cast members nominated in acting categories.

Ozark (Netflix)

It took a little time for enough awards voters to give Ozark a chance, as the first season mainly only saw wide praise for Jason Bateman’s work, but once voters gave it a chance, the nominations started flying in. The show’s last three seasons were all nominated for Best Drama at The Emmys and Julia Garner won multiple times in the supporting category for her incredible work. New fans also keep discovering the show and taking to social media, where the hype train continues, despite not being on the air anymore.

Killing Eve (BBC Three/ BBC America)

There’s no shortage of fans and critics with opinions about Killing Eve's divisive final season, but the first two, in particular, remain beloved by pretty much everyone. Not surprisingly, perennial awards contender Sandra Oh got four Emmy noms for her work on the show, but voters also flipped for Jodie Comer, who got nominated three times and took home a win. Not bad for a spy thriller that wasn’t initially seen by some as a prestige project.

Pose (FX)

The loudest support for Pose came from those who couldn’t get enough of Billy Porter’s fantastic lead performance. He was repeatedly nominated and picked up an Emmy win during the show’s run, but there was also a lot of acclaim for individual seasons themselves too, as Ryan Murphy’s exploration of New York City’s LGBT+ subculture gave an opportunity for so many talented supporting actors to have their moment. 

All-time great shows like Game of Thrones, Breaking Bad and The Simpsons have introduced viewers to some of the greatest TV characters that have entertained us over the years. But there have been times where those beloved heroes (and some villains) were unexpectedly killed off, leaving those at home shocked and worried about how storylines would carry on.

Well, here are 30+ examples of TV shows that killed off a fan-favorite characters and how things shook out for the series following the big moment (or moments).

The Walking Dead (Multiple Characters)

One of the most popular shows of the past decade, The Walking Dead, has introduced its fair share of beloved characters, who eventually met their demises. Whether it’s Glenn Rhee (Steven Yeun), Carl Grimes (Chandler Riggs) or any number of others, the drama series always found a way to move forward, even if some of us never got over those heartbreaking deaths.

The Wire (Omar Little)

Omar Little, played by the late Michael K. Williams, was one of the most unforgettable, and beloved, characters on The Wire. He also had a shocking yet very on-brand death. The Robin Hood of Baltimore was killed not by one of his rivals or a police officer near the end of the show’s final season, but by a young boy in a convenience store. His place in the “Charm City” ecosystem was picked up by Michael Lee (Tristan Wilds) in the series finale.

Game Of Thrones (Multiple Characters)

There were all kinds of gruesome Game of Thrones deaths over the years, but some hit fans a lot harder than others. But with the beheading of Ned Stark, the Red Wedding and even the ambush of John Snow, the popular fantasy series always kept the momentum going within its stories. Well, until the show lost its way in later seasons.

Dexter (Rita Morgan)

Is there a TV death more shocking than that of Rita Morgan (Julie Benz) in the Dexter Season 4 finale? Just when Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall) thought he defeated the Trinity Killer (John Lithgow), he came home to find that his wife was murdered in their bathtub. Some would argue that this moment was the peak of the series and that it was never really the same afterwards.

Downton Abbey (Matthew Crawley)

The untimely death of Matthew Crawley (Dan Stevens) on Downton Abbey had a major impact throughout the rest of the series (and its two movie sequels). A character who was most effected by arguably Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery). Years after that turn of events, Steven has still been apologizing to fans who never really got over his character’s passing.

Lost (Charlie Pace)

There are probably a ton of Lost fans who will agree that Charlie Pace's (Dominic Monaghan) drowning during the third season was the show’s most traumatizing death. The beloved character was a major staple of the mystery thriller’s early days and was sorely missed by Henry Ian Cusick and more after that fateful moment. The show moved on, but Charlie’s absence could still be felt through the very end.

Sons of Anarchy (Multiple Characters)

Sons of Anarchy featured a lot of major character deaths over the years. However, few, if any, come close to sacrifice of Opie Winston (Ryan Hurst), who was in prison during the show’s fourth season when it happened. Several more seasons followed, but his longtime best friend Jax Teller (Charlie Dunnam) never really got over it -- and neither did we.

This Is Us (Jack Pearson)

After teasing it for some time, This Is Us finally showed the death of Jack Pearson (Milo Ventimiglia) in 2018 amid the second season. Though he survived the fire many thought would claim his life, the Pearson family patriarch passed away from heart failure shortly after. However, due to the show’s use of flashbacks, fans were still able to see the character until the series finale in 2022.

South Park (Chef)

After nearly a decade as Carman, Kyle, Stan, and Kenny’s most trusted adult on South Park, Chef was killed off in over-the-top fashion in 2006. The decision to take out the fan-favorite character came after Isaac Hayes, or someone from his camp, quit the show for its attacks on Scientology. Though various versions of Chef have appeared in specials and video games since then, the OG's presence within the franchise moving forward was essentially non-existent.

Grey's Anatomy (Dr. Derek Shepherd)

Grey’s Anatomy is a medical drama that pretty much deals with death on a weekly basis, but the passing of Dr. Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey) in the show’s 11th season was tragic, to say the least. The impact of McDreamy’s fatal accident was felt for years, and Shepherd eventually returned when wife Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) having visions of him years later.

Two and a Half Men (Charlie Harper)

After nearly a decade on the incredibly popular sitcom Two and a Half Men, Charlie Harper (Charlie Sheen) was killed off after the actor who portrayed him was fired in 2011. Ashton Kutcher was brought in for the show’s ninth season, and that positive turnaround can be attributed to a CBS exec. Charlie (the character played by a double) would reappear briefly in the show’s final season before being killed off again.

ER (Mark Greene)

The early seasons of the hit ‘90s medical drama ER were headlined by Anthony Edwards and George Clooney as Mark Greene and Doug Ross, respectively. Though Ross resigned from Cook County General Hospital and started anew in Seattle, Greene wasn’t as fortunate, as he died of brain cancer. Edwards later reprised the role in flashbacks during the show’s final season.

Breaking Bad (Hank Schrader)

Hank Schrader (Dean Norris) spent the vast majority of Breaking Bad being a thorn in the side of his brother-in-law, Walter White (Brian Cranston). The DEA agent eventually died near the end of Season 5 as a result of the criminal mastermind's actions up to that point. But he would get the last laugh from the beyond the grave, as Hank’s murder helped expose Walt’s actions to the world.

8 Simple Rules (Paul Hennessy)

Paul Hennessy was the main character on the ABC sitcom 8 Simple Rules, but the father of three had to be written off after John Ritter, the actor who played him, died suddenly in September 2003. The death of the family patriarch would be a major topic throughout the show’s final two seasons before it was canceled in 2005.

Six Feet Under (Nate Fisher)

The critically acclaimed HBO drama series Six Feet Under dealt with death more so than pretty much any show on the network, mostly due to it being set in a funeral home. However, imagine fans' shock when the show’s main character, Nate Fisher (Peter Krause), died in the fifth and final season. Following the wild death/fantasy sequence, the final episodes were spent following the Fisher family as they dealt with Nate’s passing.

House of Cards (Zoe Barnes)

The House of Cards cast had change-ups throughout the Netflix series’ run, but one of the most shocking was that of Zoe Barnes (Kate Mara) in the Season 2 opener at the hands of Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey). She would later return as a hallucination, along with Peter Russo (Corey Stall), another one of Underwood’s victims.

The O.C. (Marissa Cooper)

The O.C., a hit from the early 2000s, had all kinds of drama going on throughout its run. Yet one of the most harrowing moments was the death of Marissa Cooper, Micha Barton’s popular character, in the third season. The teen drama would continue for one more year before coming to an end in early 2007.

Homeland (Nicholas Brody)

Homeland's Nicholas Brody (Damian Lewis) was a character who kept fans guessing when it came to his morals, but he was still one of the most popular characters on the spy series. He died relatively early in the show’s eight-season run, as he was executed in the Season 3 finale. Carrie Mathison (Claire Danes) would carry the loss with her for the remainder of the series, in more ways than one.

The Conners/Roseanne (Roseanne Conner)

Not long after Roseanne was brought back in 2018, the show’s star, Roseanne Barr, made inflammatory comments, leading ABC to quickly cancel the show. When the sequel/spinoff series, The Conners, came out later that year, the family matriarch was dead and buried (with Barr herself spoiling the character's fate). The sitcom, which features John Goodman, Laurie Metcalf, Sara Gilbert, Lecy Goranson, and other stars, is still on the air.

Charmed (Prue Halliwell)

After being a fixture of the Charmed cast during its first three seasons, Shannen Doherty stepped away from the hit series, resulting in the death of her character, Prue Halliwell. Prue was eventually replaced by her long-lost younger half-sister, Paige Matthews (Rose McGowan), who would remain on the show until its completion.

Stranger Things (Bob Newby)

There have been several major Stranger Things character deaths over the years, but one that still stings after all this time is Bob Newby (Sean Astin), who died in the show’s second season. Though our time with Bob was brief, his charm and sacrifice, sticks with characters on the show and the millions who eagerly await new episodes. (Eddie Munson’s Season 4 swan song is another great option.)

And Just Like That (Mr. Big)

And Just Like That…, the sequel series to HBO’s landmark dramedy Sex and the City, started off with quite a bang. Its premiere featured the death of Mr. Big (Chris Noth), a shocking twist few saw coming. The death of Carrie Bradshaw’s (Sarah Jessica Parker) husband was integral to shaping the show’s first season, and the impact could still be felt in the sophomore chapter.

M*A*S*H (Henry Blake)

Lieutenant Colonel Henry Blake (McLean Stevenson) was a major part of the first three seasons of M*A*S*H and one of the most popular characters in the large ensemble cast. But the character would only make it partway through the show’s 11-season run, as he died in a plane crash after being discharged. Colonel Sherman Potter (Harry Morgan) would then come in and take up the spot as the commanding officer.

Veronica Mars (Logan Echolls)

One of the major aspects of Veronica Mars was the complicated relationship between Veronica and Logan Echols throughout the show’s run. However, that subplot came to an abrupt end when Logan, played by Jason Dohring, was killed off in an explosion. Kristen Bell’s character would mourn the loss but would eventually push on and take her crime-solving skills nationwide.

The Simpsons (Maude Flanders)

Maude Flanders, the wife of Ned Flanders and neighbor of Homer Simpson on The Simpsons, had one of the most random and strangest cartoon deaths. As crazy as it sounds, she was knocked off the grandstand by a t-shirt cannon at a racing event. The death would affect Ned in some morbidly funny ways and was later referenced in the 2022 “Treehouse of Horror” special. 

Misfits (Alisha Daniels)

Alisha Daniels (Antonia Thomas) was important to the early phase of Misfits, but her story came to an abrupt, and tragic, end when her throat was slashed amid the show’s third season. Her sudden passing would have a tremendous impact on boyfriend Simon Bellamy (Iwawn Rheon), who would go on to become the masked vigilante Superhoodie.

House M.D. (Lawrence Kutner)

Lawrence Kutner was only part of House for a short while, but he quickly became a popular character, thanks in part to Kal Penn’s multi-faceted performance. However, the character ended up committing suicide in Season 5, and his death would leave Dr. Gregory House (Hugh Laurie) feeling out of sorts.

Parenthood (Zeek Braverman)

January 2015 saw the airing of Parenthood's bittersweet series finale, which ended its six-season run. The episode most notably featured the death of family patriarch Zeek Braverman (Craig T. Nelson). The passing of the beloved character was a major part of the final episode, as his family (and fans watching at home) said their goodbyes.

All in the Family/Archie Bunker's Place (Edith Bunker)

After sitting beside her cantankerous husband for nine seasons and 200+ episodes on All in the Family, Edith Bunker (Jean Stapleton) passed away between the first and second seasons of the continuation series, Archie Bunker’s Place. After a short mourning period, Archie (Carroll O’Connor) moved on and continued to run his bar and date again.

Ally McBeal (Billy Thomas)

Billy Thomas (Gil Bellows) was a major part of Ally McBeal, and his dating history and up-and-down relationship with Calista Flockhart’s titular character was one of the major storylines throughout the legal dramedy series. His death in the show’s third season would leave a mark on Ally, who carried his memories with her.

Luther (Justin Ripley)

DS Justin Ripley (Warren Brown) played a major part in the early goings of the BBC crime drama Luther, after being introduced as DCI John Luther’s (Idris Elba) young partner. His tragic death in the show’s third season would become another emotional wound that the lead character would carry with him for the rest of the series.

Barry (Janice Moss)

Janice Moss (Paula Newsome) was only around for the first chapter of Barry, but her death in Season 1 finale of the HBO crime dramedy greatly impacted Bill Hader’s eponymous character as well as Gene Cousineau (Henry Winkler). One of Barry’s many victims, this one always seemed to stick with the guilt-riddled assassin.

The Goldbergs (Albert 'Pops' Solomon)

Following George Segal’s death in March 2021, The Goldbergs's creative team decided to kill off his beloved character, Albert “Pops” Solomon. It was established that the family patriarch passed away in his sleep, and the character (and his portrayer) received a perfect goodbye in the Season 9 premiere.

These are just 30+ deaths of fan-favorite characters that have impacted viewers in some way over the years, as the list had to be cut off somewhere. Each of these beloved characters may be gone, but they’ll certainly never be forgotten.

The ending of Downton Abbey: A New Era is a bittersweet affair, as the Crawley family has finally bid farewell to the Dowager Countess. Played by Dame Maggie Smith since the beginning of writer/creator Julian Fellowes’ iconic franchise, the character’s passing was heavily rumored during A New Era’s production, and eventually confirmed in a bittersweet finale. Now all of the stories can be told, especially a recent tale that co-star Hugh Bonneville shared about his own sendoff with Dame Maggie after she shot her final scene.

Speaking with THR, the actor known for playing Maggie Smith’s on-screen son, Robert Crawley, admitted to three separate days of celebration on the Downton Abbey 2 set. Potentially the most important, and certainly the sweetest, came after Maggie Smith filmed Violet Crawley’s death for the film’s third act. Hugh Bonneville recounted that moment as such with this adorable recollection:

It’s almost hard to believe that this September will mark the 12th anniversary of Downton Abbey first hitting ITV’s airwaves, introducing the world to a runaway hit that still endures to this day. With Peacock Premium subscribers currently able to enjoy the full berth of Julian Fellowes’ societal drama franchise, that journey will certainly feel like a much shorter trip. The journey, of course, came with a series of opinions on when Violet Crawley should have passed in the grand scheme of things. 

Naturally, Fellowes engaged in his own method and madness when it came to whenever a character had to take their final bow. Ultimately, after setting up Violet’s terminal illness at the end of 2019’s Downton Abbey: The Motion Picture, the creator felt that it was time for the day had all dreaded to finally arrive. 

Of course, this TV and movie history might not have been possible if it weren’t for Dame Maggie Smith herself. When promoting Downton Abbey: A New Era, Julian Fellowes admitted Smith’s casting was key to pulling everything together. As a distinguished actor of stage and screen, landing Smith as the Dowager Countess was quite the coup for the impressive roster. But as you’ll see in Hugh Bonneville’s further reflections, even he wasn’t sure that Maggie Smith would say yes: 

Indeed, Dame Maggie Smith’s part of Downton Abbey history is one of those ingredients that really brought everything together brilliantly. Always acid-tongued, but firmly holding to her own code, Violet Crawley could cut you down or warm your heart in equal measure. The character’s wit and wisdom will be missed, but as Michelle Dockery’s Lady Mary Talbot takes over the reins of the Downton estate, we will see exactly what she’s learned from her beloved grandmother. 

Rest assured, no matter what happens, Hugh Bonneville’s Robert has already been shown to be immensely proud of his daughter. You can see as much when you watch Downton Abbey: A New Era, which is currently streaming on the Peacock Premium library. 

Spoilers for Downton Abbey: A New Era’s ending can be found throughout this piece if you haven't caught the movie in theaters yet. The good news? It's out on DVD and Digital soon! 

Downton Abbey: A New Era kicks off with a wedding and basically ended with a funeral (although director Simon Curtis ultimately tweaked that ending somewhat), hitting plenty of other wonderful moments in between. Among those was the engagement of Phyllis and Mr. Moseley after the latter landed a Hollywood gig that would bring in more moolah. The moment was a long time coming, according to actress Raquel Cassidy. In fact, she and her co-star Jim Carter recently shared feelings about the proposal scene with me, as well as what that could mean for Downton in the future. 

As part of a visit to the U.K. ahead of A New Era’s Digital, Blu-ray, DVD and streaming release, out now, the two stars of the sequel movie and TV franchise spoke out about the ending we got for the big “downstairs” storyline, which culminated in the staff dressing in period wear to act as extras in the movie within the movie in the film. With everyone dressed up, Mr. Moseley (Kevin Doyle) took the opportunity to share with Phyllis that he could provide for her and proposed in sweet fashion, while a mic stationed nearby picked up the moment for the rest of the staff to listen in. 

Speaking to CinemaBlend, Ms. Cassidy shared thoughts on the lovely proposal scene and more, noting she and the A New Era cast were given a “feast on a plate” before sharing her thoughts on what could theoretically come next:

Speaking of the future of Downton Abbey, the two stars did riff on the idea of a Downton-goes-to-Hollywood-style follow-up, which would make a whole lot of sense given Mr. Moseley and Phyllis should be part of the “scene” moving forward. 

Raquel Cassidy:  “I think it’s a really good idea and I think Julian would be up for it.” 

Jim Carter: “Bring Carson with them, because Carson has changed his attitude to film now. He thinks film is the way forward… now that he’s done his costume playing Lord Somebody Or Other. Perfect, that’s it. You heard it here first!” 

Given one of Mr. Carson’s most memorable moments comes when the Dowager Countess is dying and he gives a rousing speech followed with a quip along the lines of “imagine such a great lady going when there are movie people in the house,” this feels like a little bit of wishful thinking on the actor's part. And yet, honestly, the Mr. Carson as a fish-out-of-water in the French Riviera stuff worked so well I’d imagine Mr. Carter as a fish out of water person in Hollywood would be even more comedic. 

Also to note, director Simon Curtis did remind me of one more thing when it comes to where Downton Abbey left off at the end of A New Era. When I mentioned this daydreaming of where the franchise could go next, he did remind me that it’s not just Mr. Moseley who landed a Hollywood gig. At the end of Downton Abbey, Barrow also gets a Hollywood ending of sorts. 

There have been lots of ideas bandied about regarding where Downton Abbey could go should it get a third movie or any other sort of extension under the sun following A New Era's theatrical box office run.  The sequel itself ends on a few moments that do indicate there could be a future for the franchise into the 1930s and beyond, but as Curtis noted, we’ll have to wait and see what the future holds, wedding-dress wise or otherwise. 

For now, Downton Abbey: A New Era is available streaming with a Peacock Premium subscription. In addition, A New Era is available currently on Digital and can be ordered now on Blu-ray and DVD. 

Costume designer Anna Robbins has been in the business of making bespoke costumes for productions for years. In fact, in the world of Downton Abbey alone, she’s worked with the franchise for quite some time, having designed for the series across its last couple of seasons as well as for the first Downton film. However, the latest sequel A New Era presented its own set of challenges, namely due to the movie’s filming timeline, which took place in the summer of 2021 and led to some particular difficulties for Ms. Robbins and her team. 

Covid was an time for a lot of film productions and we’ve heard from films as varied as Mission: Impossible 7, which went to wild lengths to manage safety protocols, to Jake Gyllenhaal’s The Guilty – which filmed some on Zoom– about challenges the filming industry has faced. Speaking ahead of Downton Abbey: A New Era’s big streaming and Digital debut, Anna Robbins shared some of the particular challenges her department faced, which really goes to show that every portion of productions have been affected over the last couple of years.

During a visit to the UK ahead of Downton Abbey: A New Era’s Digital, streaming, Blu-ray and DVD release, we were actually able to visit Belchamp Hall, which was where Tom and Lucy’s large wedding scene took place. Charles Raymond and his family, who own the property, also described to me tents that covered the lawn in order to accommodate Covid testing and more to ensure the big ensemble moments could happen, so it wasn’t just the costuming team that saw challenges with filming a much larger film this time around. 

Likewise for Anna Robbins, the “weirdest challenge” wasn’t simply the sheer number of costumes that needed to be created to accommodate a storyline set in both the UK and in the French Riviera. She said Covid challenges also really complicated her job this time around, as well. 

Anna Robbins certainly knows how to turn some sour lemons into lemonade, here, and it actually reminds me a little bit of what director Simon Curtis also told me about taking the movie’s original somber ending and turning it into something that could be celebrated, which also became a silver lining moment  at the end of the film. Ultimately, there may have been more challenges on Downton Abbey: A New Era than the previous movies, but A New Era is a delightful sequel and manages to hit a bunch of solid notes for its fans. 

If you haven’t gotten the opportunity to watch it yet, you can do so with a Peacock Premium subscription or order your own copy now. Blu-ray and DVD copies of A New Era  are already available for pre-order and will officially hit homes on July 5, though the Digital is available now.

Spoilers for Downton Abbey: A New Era abound in this piece. So, if you haven’t caught the movie on the big screen or with your Peacock Premium subscription, yet, be sure to check out one of our other wonderful articles. 

Downton Abbey: A New Era really hits on a lot of different beats: it’s funny, emotional, and charming and its relationships are often complex but delightful to watch as well. The ending of the second Downton movie follows some of these same notes, bringing both laughs and tears to the eyes of its viewers (and the Downton cast). However, the exact ending scene the fans ultimately got was not what was originally scripted in the film. Instead, Director Simon Curtis revealed to CinemaBlend he felt what was originally scripted was not quite right, so he made a change. 

Speaking to the director ahead of the streaming, Digital, Blu-ray and DVD releases of Downton Abbey: A New Era, Simon Curtis and I got to talking about the final scene in the movie. That scene sees Tom, Lucy, and the baby return to Downton to have a joy-filled moment in the hall while the portrait of the now-deceased Dowager Countess, played by Dame Maggie Smith, watches from the wall. It’s a moment of joy and levity after the audience has just witnessed Lady Violet’s final moments and reacted to them emotionally onscreen, with Carson even giving a notably somber monologue from downstairs. And Curtis told CinemaBlend he actually added that additional scene at the end purposefully, though it wasn’t originally in the script.

In fact, however, the Dowager Countess’ funeral was almost the final note in the film. That moment comes after she takes her last breath and makes a memorable crack to Denker along the lines of “I can’t hear myself die” before breathing her last breath. While her one-liner gives the moment levity, there’s still crying and a pall to that scene and the subsequent funeral scene that's felt by the audience. That’s apparently what Julian Fellowes originally wrote in the script, but Curtis saw things a little differently.

It’s interesting how Maggie Smith-centric Downton Abbey: A New Era ended up being, particularly given the questions that rolled around when the movie was announced about whether or not Smith would actually be involved. (Some Downton fans have even gone so far as to express Violet Crawley should have died during the events on the show.) Ultimately we get a lot of the character in the movie given the central mystery in the plot revolved around a past love interest and a villa in France.  

However, focusing on the Dowager Countess also meant there are a lot of serious moments toward the end of A New Era, not least of which is the scene in which Carson quotes Shakespeare in a touching monologue about Lady Violet, which he told us was “nice” to get to do onscreen. 

If Downton Abbey: A New Era ends up being the very final film in the franchise, it was determined to end on a most positive note, and while Simon Curtis’ opinion matters here much more than mine, I do feel the movie really sticks the landing with the ending it settled on. If you’d like to give it a rewatch, A New Era is available currently on Digital and can be streamed on Peacock. In addition, if you’re a hard copy cinephile, A New Era is out on Blu-ray and DVD starting on July 5. 

Society may have cut loose a little more during the Jazz Age, but thankfully, the Crawleys were still focused on the important things, like holding a soup spoon in the right way. A hundred years later, times have changed, and a lot of these classy protocols have been lost, especially on an American bumpkin like me. I don’t have quite the posh accent or the talent for sitting still  the characters in Downton Abbey possess. Fortunately, I was able to take an etiquette class ahead of A New Era's streaming, Digital, DVD, 4K and Blu-ray release on July 5th with an eye toward being a little more like Lady Mary and less like Myrna Dalgleish. 

If you watch Downton Abbey and its newest big screen adventure A New Era, you’ve likely seen many of these proper flourishes in the background of dinner scenes and social occasions. I thought I’d be able to follow along during my visit to the gorgeous Belchamp Hall, which hosted Tom and Lucy’s wedding in the new movie, but it sadly turns out I’m a lot more uncultured than I thought. In fact, damn near everything I do at the dinner table would have the Dowager Countess throwing out some classic barbs in the same way she did when Mary was bringing movie people into Downton for the first time. From how I hold my fork to how I hold conversations, here’s a quick (and embarrassing) rundown of some of the rules my mother didn’t teach me growing up...

Don't Lick The Knife!

Philip Sykes of the British School of Excellence was on hand at Belchamp Hall where a portion of the latest movie filmed. As dining is important to the movies and the period itself, he shared some of the rules of his trade and of the Downton era with myself and a handful of other journalists. In one of these tidbits, he revealed that a dab of butter should always be transferred from its centralized dish onto a plate and not straight onto one’s roll first. In addition, a person must never lick his or her knife. Real talk: If you need an indication of what type of person I am, when I said this I giggled and asked, “People lick their knives?” He sternly told me not to joke (I would never!), and asking around, apparently this is a common thing some people do. 

So, ½ a point to me for being a gal who doesn’t lick her knife, I guess. However, if I were at a dinner table with the Dowager Countess herself, I’d probably be buttering my bread directly in her face. This would then be enough to warrant her taking dinner in her room, as she did when Lady Mary headed to the pictures for the evening in Downton Abbey: A New Era.

Your Posture, It Indubitably Sucks

Unless you trained for hours a day to become a ballet dancer or have had etiquette training yourself, your posture is probably terrible. There’s the common issue of slouching, of course, but more importantly: Did you know you aren’t actually supposed to sit all the way back in your chair at the dinner table? You need your core to hold your spine as straight as Lady Mary’s and that means sitting forward in the seat.

Some of the stars of Downton Abbey may be crossing their legs at the ankle, but for all you knee crossers out there, you’re doing it wrong. 

How To Hold A Proper Conversation With Other "Lords" And "Ladies," Per Downton Abbey

This one actually did come up in a previous Downton Abbey project. Apparently, in polite society, if at a dinner table you’re supposed to spend 50% of the time speaking to the person on your left and 50% speaking to the person on your right. Per Mr. Sykes, this came up once when Tom got very interested in Lucy and ignored the person on his other side, gaining him a harrumph. I guess Tom got the last laugh though, as he ultimately got the girl. (We also got a look at the setup for Tom and Lucy’s very successful wedding at Belchamp Hall, which also hosts events, and it was  a gorgeous scene, so alls well that ends in Downton nuptials.) 

Still, the jury’s out on what one should do at a four-top.

Yes, Virginia, There Is A Proper Way To Eat Soup

Soup. It’s hot. It’s viscous. It gets everywhere in your mouth. But before it does whatever it wants in your throat, you are supposed to command its attention by holding your spoon the correct way. I’m willing to bet most of us push soup toward our body to fill his or her spoon, but one is actually supposed to push the soup away from ones body and toward the edge of the bowl. And by all means, don’t blow on hot soup! 

Maggie Smith’s Dowager Countess famously tasted soup in a Season 5 episode of Downton Abbey before the events in A New Era. She crushed the pushing the soup away from your body portion, but I do think I detect her blowing on the soup! 

That Knife That Looks Like A Butter Knife Is In Actuality Probably Not A Butter Knife (Except When It Is) 

So, butter knives do exist and most of us know what they look like, but at certain fancy functions there’s a knife that looks very much like a butter knife, only it is indeed for filleting fish. (Again, don’t lick your knife!) According to etiquette expert Philip Sykes, please don’t fall prey to this trick, particularly if you are following the rules of starting with the outside cutlery and working your way in.

Allegedly, this utensil was created to be able to squeeze more money from the folks who had it, though by the time we get to Downton Abbey: A New Era’s time period and setting in the late twenties, I wonder if Lord Grantham and Lady Mary would have been happy to save a buck or five and cut the fish knives. They have a roof to repair, people! 

Lefties In The U.S. Are Probably Way Better At Eating Than Moi 

This one may be no big deal to you British folk out there, but Americans are going to have a tough one with this. According to proper etiquette, one should hold their fork with their left hand and their knife with their right and eat accordingly. This is shown correctly in practically every Downton Abbey eating scene ever, but alas, those of us who aren’t left-handed in America love to do things the right (handed) way. 

I know, it’s quite a lot to take in. The good news? If you need a brush-up on what is quite the thing in polite society and what isn’t, A New Era is already available streaming exclusively with a Peacock subscription or available on Digital with a slew of bonus features, including "Return to Downton Abbey: The Making-of A New Era" and much, much more.

In additional, Universal Pictures Home Entertainment is also making the film available on 4K, Blu-ray and DVD starting on July 5 2022. If hard copy is your favorite, you can pre-order Downton Abbey: A New Era now. 

Just as the first Downton Abbey movie was a cinematic event upon its arrival in theaters, this year’s release of A New Era was something that fans of the series couldn’t wait for. Whether you’ve already indulged in this latest Downton adventure, or you’ve been waiting patiently to stream it in the comfort of your own home, some good news has just dawned on the horizon. If you’re not a Peacock Premium subscriber, it’s about time you consider becoming one, as Downton Abbey: A New Era is about to hit Peacock’s streaming library, and with some special bonuses included in that library. 

How To Watch Downton Abbey: A New Era On Streaming

At the moment, fans that want to watch Downton Abbey: A New Era on streaming can do so through a digital PVOD rental. However, that’s usually in the pricer bracket of $19.99 per 48 hour rental, which is why the news that Peacock will be streaming the crowd pleasing sequel starting June 24th is so exciting. 

For clarification, A New Era will be available to subscribers of the paid tiers of Peacock, and not the free-with-ads option. So if you want to get in on the joy, tears, and lobster filled Downton sequel moments, you’ll want to get a move on.

This makes total sense, as the NBC-Universal owned platform is currently the exclusive home for all things Downton Abbey. Currently, all six seasons of the ITV television series, as well as the 2019 film Downton Abbey: The Motion Picture are available for viewing. If you were looking to do your research so you could appreciate how Julian Fellows beefed up certain Downton characters in A New Era, that’s enough to do the trick. Of course, there’s now two new special bonuses added to Peacock that’ll help you even more in that department.

The Special Downton Abbey Bonuses Fans Can Currently Enjoy On Peacock

If you’re really a die-hard fan of Julian Fellowes’ iconic saga, you’ll be pleased to know that the special The Manners of Downton Abbey is now streaming on Peacock. Going into the historical details behind the era that made Julian Fellowes’ iconic series what it is today, that added extra is perfect for boning up on what to expect when watching Downton Abbey: A New Era.

Which leads us to the next bonus that has been added to the Peacock library: a 24/7 streaming feed that runs nothing but, naturally, episodes of Downton Abbey. If you’ve seen the entire show so many times that you could just throw it on in the background as you do chores or work, this is the sort of option that undoubtedly appeals to those who just can’t get enough of the Crawleys in their lives. This is perfect training for learning how Downton Abbey: A New Era ends, as the usual mix of raucous laughter, bittersweet tears, and tender romance is best represented through random episodes of the series that started it all.

After a theatrical run that saw Downton Abbey: A New Era performing strongly in theaters, even against Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, it’s time for another wave of fans to get in on the excitement. The next chapter in the Downton estate’s history will be available on Peacock Premium as of on June 24th, with the home video release arriving on July 5th. Fans of polite drama and comedy won’t need to look much further than our guide to 2022 movie releases to find their next round of delight. 

WARNING: spoilers for Downton Abbey: A New Era are in discussion. If you haven’t seen the film yet, you may want to refrain from reading any further. 

One of the questions that’s accompanied the release of each Downton Abbey movie is whether or not Maggie Smith’s Dowager Countess would be taking her final bow. With the end of 2019’s first motion picture giving Violet Crawley a terminal diagnosis, a ticking clock was set into motion for that eventual heartbreaking moment Peacock subscribers are probably still expecting. However, some fans think that Smith’s character should have died during the original six season run, and creator Julian Fellowes has addressed those feelings. 

Speaking with USA Today on behalf of Downton Abbey: A New Era’s recent release, Fellowes was asked about this notion expressed by fans of the ITV hit drama. Quite frankly, and with a nod towards the events that did transpire in this year’s cinematic sequel, he laid out his reasoning for waiting until the movies as follows: 

Character death is a very serious matter for Julian Fellowes, as he previously explained how he wrote deaths into Downton Abbey’s TV run. Apparently, he and the rest of the team behind the hit series didn’t see it as prudent to kill the Dowager
Countess off during those storylines. Considering how much of a crown jewel Maggie Smith was in the Downton cast, that’s another factor that probably kept Violet Crawley alive and well for as long as she was.

Of course, the ending to Downton Abbey: A New Era changed that, with Violet passing peacefully at the Downton estate. Surrounded by friends and family, her final moments were bittersweet, and even included a hint of her usual comedic timing. Who else would tell their weeping maid, "Stop that noise at once! I can't hear myself die?" Further explaining why director Simon Curtis’ current theatrical entry into Downton canon was the time to send Violet Crawley to the great beyond, Julian Fellowes elaborated thusly: 

Though fans and creatives alike would probably want to keep inviting Maggie Smith back to star in Downton Abbey sequels, it appears her character has run her course. While Julian Fellowes is reluctant to make any definitive judgements on whether the Dowager Countess’ story is complete, it’s a fair assumption that Dame Smith will not be back for any further theatrical adventures. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, as Violet Crawley’s death will have meant something, and it gives him time to beef up classic characters once again, just in time for a potential Downton Abbey 3.

Just as you should never expect to get the last word with the Dowager Countess, much to the chagrin of A New Era castmate Penelope Wilton, don’t assume that anyone’s Downton story is truly over. With the possibility of flashbacks, or more likely prequels that could explore the Dowager Countess’ past, there’s so much more story that could be told.

Downton Abbey: A New Era continues to entertain audiences in theaters, with a potential streaming debut presumed for early July. Again, if you’re a Peacock subscriber, you should keep your subscription up to date. Not only will it be your ticket to seeing this sequel, but at the time of this writing the entire Downton dynasty exists on that platform. 

The world of Downton Abbey is not set in stone, as writer/creator Julian Fellowes never knows when he’ll next revisit the saga of the Crawley family. That’s not to say there aren’t ideas that aren’t already on display with the conclusion of an upcoming movie like A New Era; but rather there’s nothing he’s committed to just yet. The cast of his iconic TV, and now cinematic hit, aren’t as reserved however; and if Downton Abbey 3 happens, they’ve got some clever ideas where the action could go next. 

During my conversations with the Downton Abbey cast, talk was bound to turn to just what could be in store after A New Era’s exploits. Strangely enough, the suggestions for new adventures seem to be split between the upstairs and downstairs casts; which is fitting as the stories for those players take a huge split in director Simon Curtis’ currently playing entry. 

In the case of the future for characters like Allen Leech’s Tom Branson and Laura Carmichael’s Edith Pelham, a trip to America sounds like it’s been discussed. Filling in the details as he spoke with CinemaBlend, Leech laid out a very specific historical event that could be used for the next Downton excursion: 

As the events of Downton Abbey: A New Era take place in 1928, we’re just on the cusp of that fateful day in American history which take place just one year later. The Crawleys themselves have experience with some failed financial dealings in the history of the ITV series, so Robert (Hugh Bonneville) in particular could help Martha Levinson, mother of his beloved wife Cora (Elizabeth McGovern), recover from any fallout she may experience.

Meanwhile, the downstairs staff of Downton Abbey are ready to take their own holiday in the sun. Shifting to the discussion that came from my interview with Phyllis Logan and Joanne Froggatt, Ellie Carson and Anna Bates respectively, a trip to the Maldives was thrown into the hat. That concept sounded rather familiar to me, and as it turns out, that was with good reason.

Flashing back to 2019, I had previously interviewed Phyilis Logan alongside on-screen husband Jim Carter, and the question of the potential story for Downton Abbey: A New Era had come up in that very room. Carter and Logan gamely suggested exactly what Joanna Froggatt cast into the air: a trip to the Maldives for the Carsons. While half of the iconic pair got their wish in this second cinematic outing, Logan and Froggatt pitched another possibility involving tropical paradise:

“Phyllis Logan: It’s a no-brainer. We’ve all got to move the castle there.

Joanne Froggatt: Absolutely. “

Two possible tracks lie ahead for the next Downton adventure, but again it’s up to Julian Fellowes to make the call to return. Writing and creating new adventures for the Crawleys and their household staff is done on a case by case basis, and the man himself said as much in an interview with THR. If you’ve ever wanted to know why Downton Abbey stories take a while to get off the ground, here’s how Fellowes explains part of the follow-up process: 

Whatever the road ahead entails, should Downton Abbey 3 actually happen, then there’s certainly no shortage of ideas. Though, as Julian Fellowes has implied he’s keen to stay away from World War II, the next steps in the legacy of Downton will have to be very carefully measured. So long as loyal fans have an appetite for societal drama, joy, and heartbreak, Fellowes and his beloved cast will be there for the ride. 

Downton Abbey: A New Era has officially begun its run in theaters, promising a weekend of laughter and tears for all who partake. Peacock Plus subscribers can keep the party going at home, as the previous film and the entire series of Downton Abbey call that platform home.

Warning: spoilers for Downton Abbey: A New Era are in play. If you haven’t seen the film yet, you may want to check out one of our other lovely articles. 

The cast of Downton Abbey is a large ensemble that is impressive in a multitude of ways. That sort of advantage can cut both ways, as some characters once central to the plot of a TV series can sometimes get lost in the cinematic shuffle. Writer/creator Julian Fellowes recently admitted to feeling a couple of characters had gotten the short end of the stick in the first movie. So when it came time to write the story for the upcoming movie A New Era, he consciously used the opportunity to beef up a couple central figures in the Downton dynasty, Robert and Cora Grantham. 

Again, it cannot be stressed enough that we’ll be going deep into details involving a plotline that runs throughout this film, connecting straight to the ending. So if you haven’t seen the movie, you can always read something like my official review of Downton Abbey: A New Era to remain informed, but unspoiled. Now that we’ve got that formality out of the way, it’s time to revisit my talk with Downton Abbey writer/creator Julian Fellowes. 

Taking place on the press day for A New Era, Robert and Cora’s story was something I had to ask about another health scare, this time in reference to Cora Crawley, the Countess of Grantham. In light of the “iconic character” death promised in Downton Abbey’s sequel, that choice felt like it had a specific purpose. Julian Fellowes confirmed as much to CinemaBlend, revealing he’d woven in this obstacle with the following intent: 

Powerful rumors surround a movie like Downton Abbey: A New Era during its production cycle, because of how anticipated the next chapter’s developments happen to be. This time out, the subject of great interest happened to be speculation that an “iconic character” was going to die in Downton Abbey 2. Immediately that whisper seemed to point out that Dame Maggie Smith’s Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess of Grantham, was going to be the one saying goodbye. 

The ending of 2019’s Downton Abbey movie practically sets this up, as Violet revealed to Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) that she was terminally ill, with no specific timetable as to how long she had left. Trailers for A New Era fueled that speculation, but the surprise involving Cora's illness not only draws attention from that assumption, it also strikes a crucial chord.

Throughout the latest Downton story, we see Cora going for medical tests that recall the Dowager Countess' recent developments all too well. Frequently seen as tired and not feeling well, McGovern's iconic Downton Abbey characters eventually arrives at one of the hardest-hitting moments in the sequel. Upon learning of Cora’s medical concerns, husband Robert (Hugh Bonneville) has a moment where he breaks down into tears during a party at the French villa they had travelled to together.  

Paying homage to their sometimes-complicated-but-always-loving marriage, it's also a moment that calls back to certain developments mentioned throughout the series' history. Eventually, all turns out to be well, as resident physician Dr. Clarkson (David Robb) reveals that Cora is suffering from the very treatable pernicious anemia. Strangely enough, this wasn’t the first diagnosis of this particular condition, as Downton Abbey’s series finale initially saw Lord Merton (Douglas Reith) given that same news. 

Certain characters in the firmament of this fan-favorite series will always be standouts. Much as Julian Fellowes knew Maggie Smith’s Dowager Countess was always a huge win for the series, strengthening the relationship of Downton's beautiful pair continues to pay off for the fans. 

As always Downton Abbey 3 isn’t a sure thing, but should there be another return to the lives of the ever-growing Crawley family, the foundation continues to provide ample opportunities. All that has to happen is for the fans to embrace A New Era, and that day could come sooner than later. 

Downton Abbey: A New Era is currently in theaters, ready to soak up the tears and the laughter of its eager audience. Whether you’re heading out to the movies or have already seen Julian Fellowes’ latest, you can still revisit the stories that came before. Peacock Plus subscribers can access the entire series, as well as Downton Abbey: The Motion Picture, at the time of this writing.

A film experience like Downton Abbey: A New Era looks absolutely effortless on the surface, but everyone knows that a lot of hard work and effort goes into such an undertaking. Working on one of this weekend’s upcoming movies certainly had its challenges, with every cast member I spoke to being able to share their own unique story in that regard. Perhaps the greatest surprise of all is the fact that a lobster happened to be involved in one scenario that just might take the cake. 

Sitting down with several of the cast members during the press day of Downton Abbey 2, I posed the question of what the most difficult day on set had to be. In a movie that’s been rumored to feature the death of an iconic Downton character, I was ready for potential stories about sobbing takes and fond farewells. 

Instead, I was treated to some stories that would probably make the fictional counterparts of the Downton Abbey: A New Era cast either laugh or blush. Starting with Allen Leech, Tom Branson himself, the tales from those wild days in the south of France kicked off with a bit of a fishy accent:

For readers that aren’t on the Celsius scale of temperature, Leech’s story entails a day that was roughly 90 degrees Fahrenheit. It figures that the cinematic sequel to the wildly successful Downton Abbey: The Motion Picture would throw this sort of twist. That previous picture saw Leech engaged in a last minute dance scene that saw him rushed back to set, which worked well as a segue into another cast story of interest.

Night dances are certainly a specialty when it comes to making for interesting Downton stories. This time, actor Laura Carmichael was the one that had a particular memory involving a dance under less than ideal conditions. As the woman known to fans as Edith Pelham, the Marchioness of Hexham, explained, those complications came due to a bit of moviemaking trickery:

Surely with all of these problems, the more domestic half of Downton Abbey: A New Era’s story was easier to film, right? As it would turn out, some of the chaos thrown into the mix by a major film production in Julian Fellowes’ latest cinematic narrative actually led to real chaos. In the case of one character in particular, a change of costume led to a rather perilous situation. 

We turn now to Phyllis Logan, the woman who brings Mrs. Elsie Carson to life in this particular universe. Without spoiling the experience that led a loyal member of the Downstairs team into some new threads, Logan explained how these changes led to a very threatening obstacle:

Reading back Phyllis Logan’s story of bathroom woes recalls some of the most interesting stories from comic movies past. Just as Jason Momoa had some issues going with his Aquaman costume, Logan can now count herself a cinematic superhero of sorts. Depending on what solutions was eventually reached, she may have had to display some sort of feat of strength and agility to make it all work, so the point still stands. 

As for Joanne Froggatt, her Downton Abbey sequel experience wasn’t as strenuous as the stories provided above. Her character Anna Bates is still very much a part of the chaos that overwhelmed Downton in this second film. However, as Froggatt herself highlights in her contribution to the question at hand, it was a piece of cake on her end:

Sometimes the days you think are going to be easy end up being the real wringers on set. Then again, some moments members of the Downton Abbey 2 were dreading turned out to be absolutely comfortable scenes. Movies truly are a form of magic, as you don’t always know what you’ll get once someone yells action, and that first lobster tail gets cracked on camera.

Downton Abbey: A New Era finally graces domestic theaters, starting with fan events showing this evening. Early showings will continue tomorrow night, with Friday marking the proper wide debut of the movie in theaters. Depending on when you’re planning to book your tickets, you might have enough time to rewatch Downton Abbey: The Motion Picture, which at the time of this writing is streaming only for Peacock Plus subscribers.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of Tomorrow Never Dies, one of the several James Bond movies that celebrates a milestone in 2022. What some may not know or remember is the fact that the second 007 outing in Pierce Brosnan’s era possesses quite a few connections to the world of Downton Abbey. Among the interesting parties to show up is writer/creator Julian Fellowes, who not only got to spend a day on set as the film’s Minister of Defense but also got a very cool prop that he would end up giving to his son. 

As the promotion of Downton Abbey: A New Era has been getting into high gear, I was able to attend the film’s recent press day on behalf of CinemaBlend. Among the people I was able to talk to was Fellowes himself, who was very insightful about his franchise’s cinematic sequel. However, with such an anniversary being celebrated in the world of James Bond, I had to ask about his experience playing a role in the 18th 007 adventure. In recalling his big scene, Julian Fellowes told us: 

Whether that jacket was for Julian Fellowes’ big scene in Tomorrow Never Dies or a cast gift after wrapping is not clarified. It doesn’t feel like that sort of jacket would fit in an intelligence briefing between Dame Judi Dench’s M and Fellowes’ Minister of Defense, but maybe that sort of thinking is why this potential prop never made the cut. 

As for the scene itself, it plays as the prelude to the usual briefing that 007 receives from M, and it gives the Jane Eyre alum some rather dramatic moments. In the clip you see below, the scandal at hand is a bit more serious than the Dowager Countess inheriting a random villa, as seen in the trailers for Downton Abbey: A New Era. Without further ado, here’s the actor's big James Bond moment, from Tomorrow Never Dies:  

Yes, the same man who gave M a 48-hour ultimatum to bring down one of the most effective James Bond villains is the one who has brought us the adventures of Downton Abbey. Which only has me wondering if the 1997 movie had somehow inspired Julian Fellowes in his eventual casting of his hit ITV series. Seeing as both Samantha Bond and Hugh Bonneville make appearances in this film, before moving on respectively to play Lady Rosamund Painswick and Robert Crawley in the cast of Downton Abbey, this makes the film quite possibly the most Downton-connected Bond film ever. 

Speaking about his 007 experience, Fellowes also confirmed pretty much what most Bond fans already knew when it comes to EON Productions. More specifically, he spoke about how pleasant the environment of the shoot was, thanks in part to Barbara Broccoli’s leadership. Julian Fellowes rounded off his set story with the following praise: 

A movies set built in a car factory sure sounds like it’s the type of place a person could wear a leather jacket and get away with it. However, the actor had his reservations on the matter and, as a result, his son benefitted from the deal. Whether or not he still has that jacket is a subject for another day, but it’s still cool that Downton Abbey’s creator got to use his background as an actor to help 007 deliver another victory in the name of world peace.

You can enjoy Julian Fellowes’ latest round of pithy dialogue in Downton Abbey: A New Era. Currently open in the UK market, the film debuts in the US through fan events and early shows this week, with May 20th marking the wide theatrical opening. To see what the competition looks like for this societal slice of life, the upcoming movies roster is where you’ll want to go for the latest releases and beyond. 

One of the most important rules in Downton Abbey’s universe has always been that the Dowager Countess always gets the last word. Through six seasons, and now two motion pictures, it’s one of the most sacrosanct tenets to this iconic series. That didn’t stop Penelope Wilton, the actor behind the Countess' frequent sparring partner Lady Isobel Merton, from trying to alter the rules of the game. This led to a funny story involving that very Maggie Smith-oriented request for one of the most anticipated upcoming movies, Downton Abbey: A New Era. 

In an interview with The Daily Mail, Wilton complimented Smith on her skills when it comes to filming a good argument. Though part of the equation is definitely credited to the writing of creator Julian Fellowes, which is why Penelope Wilton made this specific request: 

Reading through that funny denial of Penelope Wilton’s request, it may look like Downton Abbey’s creator and writer is playing favorites. Though Lady Isobel certainly gets a good number of zingers in from time to time, her verbal tennis matches with Violet Grantham do tend to favor the most revered woman at the Downton estate. Unless there’s a very good reason to have her win, Wilton’s character doesn’t normally get to prevail. 

It may have something to do with the teenage experience that inspired Julian Fellowes to create Downton Abbey in the first place. While it wasn’t an instantaneous creation that sprang from a vacation the young Fellowes had taken, whatever inspired the character of the Dowager Countess must have been a strong notion. It was certainly strong enough for him to write a very similar character for Maggie Smith in his film Gosford Park, and that formula carried over quite handily to his Downton days. 

The trailers for Downton Abbey: A New Era have only continued to put specific importance on Maggie Smith’s Violet Grantham. As her recent inheritance of a French villa sparks a ton of questions about her past, the Dowager Countess’ influence touches pretty much the entire film. This is even more of a reason for her not to pull any punches, especially against Penelope Wilton’s equally revered character. 

Just as Fellowes doesn’t kill Downton characters without specific rationale, the Dowager Countess can’t lose a fight without a reason. Should the reports of an iconic character’s demise in A New Era be true, and if Violet Grantham is indeed the one saying her final goodbyes, the world certainly wouldn’t want to see her depart in anything but top form. Even Lady Isobel would be inclined to agree with that statement, though it would pain her to admit as much.

Downton Abbey: A New Era is currently showing in UK cinemas, with its big US debut taking place on May 20th. Peacock subscribers looking to revisit the series and/or the previous motion picture event are in luck, as at the time of this writing, it is the current home for all things Grantham. Though all who are relying on Netflix to engage in such a refresher should take note, as all six seasons will be leaving by the end of May.