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Downton Abbey Ends After 6 Seasons, Christmas Day Finale Tops UK Ratings

British drama series Downton Abbey has ended after six seasons, with its finale airing in the UK on Christmas Day. The TV series topped the UK ratings on Christmas Day, which is the first time the sho...
Downton Abbey Ends After 6 Seasons, Christmas Day Finale Tops UK Ratings
Written by Val Powell
  • British drama series Downton Abbey has ended after six seasons, with its finale airing in the UK on Christmas Day.

    The TV series topped the UK ratings on Christmas Day, which is the first time the show achieved the feat.

    In the swan song episode, Lady Edith and Bertie Pelham have a happy ending, Lady Mary found out she was having a child, and Anna and Mr. Bates welcome their newborn.

    The Downton Abbey Finale Hits US Audiences Soon

    There have been reports stating that the series ended due to the fact that the Downton Abbey bosses failed to secure Dame Maggie Smith for the seventh season.

    Gareth Neame, the show’s producer, said that Smith, who plays the Dowager Countess Lady Violet Crawley, did not confirm her appearance for another season.

    “We easily could have gone for a 7th season, but if I’d have said “We haven’t got Maggie” it would have been a shadow of itself,” Neame added.

    Nevertheless, the award-winning producer said that they still feel blessed. The management and the cast do not regret the ending because they were still ahead when they ended the show.

    “We had the ambition that we had a complete show,” he said.

    In the final scene filmed at the Ritz Hotel in London, Neame even found a way to “insert himself”, where he came in dressed like one of the Ritz’s staff.

    While Downton Abbey officially ended last week on Christmas Day, there may be possibilities of a cinematic spin-off of the story.

    “There is no script and no firm plan but it’s certainly something there is talk of. We’re not in denial about anything. We’ll know more next year,” Neame said.

    There were reports that Neame and writer Julian Fellowes “are keen” to make the project happen.

    Meanwhile, other top performers along with Downton Abbey on Christmas Day include the Strictly Christmas Special, Queen, Mrs. Brown’s Boys, and Doctor Who.

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