Following the smashing success of Downton Abbey: A New Era, speculation has abounded about a third installment, and now Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale is officially on the way. 2022's A New Era reunites series creator Julian Fellowes with nearly the entire main cast and the Downton Abbey movie series has continued the saga of the Crawley family and their servants after 6 hit TV seasons. The possibility of more was always on the table, and now a trilogy-capping third film can finally complete the beloved series.

Downton Abbey: A New Era broadened the scope of the saga's world while successfully juggling over 30 beloved characters and multiple storylines. The sequel also marked seismic changes and new beginnings for the Crawleys, who are on the cusp of entering the "modern world" of the 1930s. Now that the "New Era" has begun, the timeline of Downton Abbey can press further into the 20th century, which opens the door for any number of exciting storylines. Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale is the conclusion of the entire franchise, a momentous but sad time for fans of the series.

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale Latest News

New Footage Premieres At CinemaCon 2025

Befitting it's place as a potential blockbuster for fall 2025, the latest news arrives in the form of footage from Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale at CinemaCon. Universal Studios had a at the annual movie preview event in April 2025, and they dedicated some time to the conclusion of the Downton Abbey franchise. Unfortunately, the footage shown at CinemaCon isn't available for public viewing yet, but ScreenRant was in attendance and has provided a thorough description.

Begins on a horse track with a shot of the Crawleys. Carson announces, “Welcome to 1930.” We see Lady Mary and Edith a few times. Then, one by one, each of the original cast returns to Downton Abbey, with Lady Mary dressed in all red. Several shots of parties and everyone celebrating. It ends with Robert kissing his hand and then placing it on the side of the Abbey.

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale Release Date

The Threequel Arrives In September 2025

Though much is still unknown about the trilogy-capping film, Focus Features has scheduled a release date for Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale. The highly-anticipated historical drama will arrive on September 12, 2025, and will see a wide theatrical release like its two predecessors. This date comes more than a year after the film wrapped in August 2024, but no reason has been given for the lengthy delay. The first Downton Abbey film was also released in September, but A New Era arrived in May. It could be that a summer release is more likely to produce a blockbuster.

Downton Abbey premiered on September 20, 2019, and grossed $194 million (via Box Office Mojo). Meanwhile, Downton Abbey: A New Era premiered on May 20, 2022, and grossed $92 million (via Box Office Mojo).

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale Cast Details

An All-Star Cast For The Grand Finale

The Downton Abbey cast has returned consistently, and Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale is already promising many of the beloved characters from the TV show and movies. The major exception is the late Maggie Smith, who finally closed the book on the Dowager Countess in A New Era. Meanwhile, Matthew Goode was unable to reprise Mary's husband Henry Talbot, but there's a chance he could still come back. Downton's fans also clamor for Lily James to return as Lady Rose, and she could finally come back in Downton Abbey 3. One major newcomer is Paul Giamatti who will reprise his role from the TV series as the free-spirited Levinson.

As for the rest of the cast, the majority of the beloved ensemble is returning for the last film, including mainstays like Imelda Staunton as Lady Bagshaw, Elizabeth McGovern as Cora, and Hugh Bonneville as Robert Grantham. Fittingly, The Grand Finale will probably be a send-off to all the main characters, thus their return is necessary to close out the epic franchise.

The confirmed cast of Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale includes:

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale Story Details

What Can Happen In The Final Film?

Since the early part of the 20th century is the time period for the franchise, it seems appropriate to end the series where the early 20th century also ended.

There are certainly many possibilities for Downton Abbey to continue from where A New Era leaves the story. Although A New Era finally says goodbye to Maggie Smith's Lady Violet, the Crawleys welcome new to the family in Tom Branson's new bride, Lucy, and their newborn baby. Meanwhile, Thomas Barrow left his position as Downton's butler, which means Mr. Carson must return to train Andy Parker to take his place.

Most interestingly, the film can also be set against the backdrop of the turbulent 1930s where economic turmoil and the outbreak of another World War could serve as bookends for the franchise. Downton Abbey's first season involved the dark early days of WWI, and it is fitting that Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale could usher in the beginning of WWII. Since the early part of the 20th century is the time period for the franchise, it seems appropriate to end the series where the early 20th century also ended.