Downton Abbey had an impressive six-season run on ITV and PBS that resulted in 15 Primetime Emmy Awards, three Golden Globes, and two BAFTA awards. After the sequence finale aired in 2015, the interval drama continued to dwell on with three characteristic movies distributed by Focus Options. The newest and final installment on this trilogy, Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, was launched earlier this month. The present was created by Julian Fellowes (The Gilded Age), who additionally penned the screenplays for all three films.
Chronicling the lifetime of the British aristocratic Crawley household, Downton Abbey‘s first season begins in 1912, the day after the sinking of the RMS Titanic. The sequence and subsequent movies span the primary half of the twentieth century, with Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale being set in 1930. The Twenties and early Thirties have been fascinating factors in historical past, however they do not get depicted onscreen almost as regularly because the warfare years. When you’ve already seen Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale and are longing to linger in that world just a bit longer, there are a some nice films to take a look at that discover these eras. Julian Fellowes was even concerned in making just a few of them.
Listed here are 9 interval films to look at after you end Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale.
‘The Stays of the Day’ (1993)
Primarily based on the award-winning novel by Kazuo Ishiguro, The Stays of the Day is a British drama a couple of butler in 1958 postwar Britain wanting again on his time working at Darlington Corridor within the Thirties. Anthony Hopkins (Freud’s Final Session) stars because the butler, Mr James Stevens, reverse Emma Thompson (Love Truly) as Darlington Corridor’s new housekeeper, Miss Sarah “Sally” Kenton. The solid contains James Fox (Effie Grey), Christopher Reeve (Superman), Peter Vaughan (Sport of Thrones), and Hugh Grant (Heretic).
“Refined and Considerate”
The Stays of the Day was directed by James Ivory with a screenplay by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala. The 2 had beforehand labored collectively on A Room with a View and Howards Finish. The Stays of the Day was celebrated by critics for its storytelling and shining performances. It was nominated for eight Academy Awards, together with Finest Tailored Screenplay, Finest Director, Finest Actor, Finest Actress, and Finest Image. “The Stays of the Day is a refined, considerate film,” remarked Roger Ebert, who gave the movie 4.5/5 stars in 1993. The movie is licensed contemporary with a 96% ranking from critics on Rotten Tomatoes.
‘Gosford Park’ (2001)
Gosford Park is the product of an unlikely pairing. The movie was directed by the eclectic Robert Altman (Nashville) and written by none apart from Downton Abbey‘s personal Julian Fellowes. Whereas it might be one of many final movies Altman ever made, Gosford Park is the primary feature-length movie Fellowes wrote. The result’s a satirical thriller set in 1932 on the nation property of industrialist Sir William McCordle (Michael Gambon) and his spouse, Woman Sylvia (Kristin Scott Thomas). When a homicide takes place on the property, Sir William’s weekend company all of a sudden discover that their plans have all turned upside.
Julian Fellowes Gained An Oscar
The solid is totally stacked with the skills of Camilla Rutherford (A Very British Scandal), Charles Dance (Sport of Thrones), Kelly Macdonald (Boardwalk Empire), Clive Owen (The Knick), Geraldine Somerville (Grace of Monaco), Tom Hollander (Delight and Prejudice), and Helen Mirren (The Thursday Homicide Membership). That is not all. There’s additionally Eileen Atkins (Upstairs, Downstairs), Claudie Blakley (Delight and Prejudice), Emily Watson (Dune: Prophecy), Richard E. Grant (Saltburn), Derek Jacobi (A lot Ado About Nothing), and Downton Abbey star Maggie Smith. Gosford Park obtained seven Academy Award nominations with a win for Finest Unique Screenplay. It’s licensed contemporary on Rotten Tomatoes with an 87% ranking from critics.
‘The Cat’s Meow’ (2001)
There has lengthy been hypothesis about how famed Twenties movie mogul Thomas H. Ince died, and this film explores one of the widespread theories. The movie was directed by Peter Bogdanovich (The Final Image Present) with a screenplay by Steven Peros (Footprints), who additionally wrote the 1997 stage play on which the film relies. The whole film is ready throughout a weekend in 1924 when publishing magnate William Randolph Hearst (Edward Herrmann) and his mistress, movie star Marion Davies (Kirsten Dunst), host a celebration on their yacht for Thomas Ince’s (Cary Elwes) birthday.
A Intelligent Romp
The solid contains Joanna Lumley (Wednesday), Jennifer Tilly (Chucky), Claudia Harrison (The Crown), James Laurenson (The Crown), Ronan Vibert (Penny Dreadful), Victor Slezak (The Order), John C. Vennema (Presumed Harmless), Ingrid Lacey (In Love and Warfare), Chiara Schoras (Countdown), Claudie Blakley, and Suzy Eddie Izzard (Kaos) as Charlie Chaplin. The Cat’s Meow is a cleverly written romp positive to thrill anybody who loves films set within the Twenties Hollywood scene. The movie was nominated for 2 awards on the Mar del Plata Worldwide Movie Pageant. Kirsten Dunst received for Finest Actress.
‘The Coronary heart of Me’ (2002)
Primarily based on Rosamond Lehmann’s 1953 novel The Echoing Grove, The Coronary heart of Me is a drama directed by Thaddeus O’Sullivan (Hidden Belongings) and written by Lucinda Coxon (The Danish Woman). Madeleine (Olivia Williams) and Rickie (Paul Bettany) are a married couple in Thirties London whose relationship turns into fraught when Rickie begins having an affair with Madeleine’s sister, a Bohemian painter named Dinah (Helena Bonham Carter).
An Train in “Englishness”
The Coronary heart of Me premiered on the Toronto Worldwide Movie Pageant in 2002. It was nominated for 2 British Unbiased Movie Awards and Olivia Williams received within the Finest Actress Class. Paul Bettany received Finest Actor on the Night Customary British Movie Awards. Whereas critiques have been combined upon the movie’s launch, critics agreed that the movie boasts three unimaginable stars. “The actors display such unmatchable Englishness that the film — a form of ‘Finish of the Affair’ with out the spiritual instruction — takes on the gleam of a cultural artifact,” wrote Lisa Schwarzbaum for Leisure Weekly.
‘Atonement’ (2007)
Director Joe Wright and star Keira Knightley adopted up Delight & Prejudice with this glorious adaptation of the 2001 Ian McEwan novel Atonement. With a screenplay by Christopher Hampton (Harmful Liaisons), Atonement begins in 1935, when 13-year-old Briony Tallis (Saoirse Ronan) accuses her sister Cecilia’s (Knightley) lover, Robbie Turner (James McAvoy), of a horrible crime that adjustments all of their lives eternally. Carrying by way of World Warfare II, the movie explores how Briony’s assertion to the police impacts her and people she loves in opposition to the backdrop of nationwide tragedy. The solid options Romola Garai (Suffragette), Brenda Blethyn (Delight & Prejudice), Juno Temple (The Supply), Benedict Cumberbatch (Physician Unusual), and Vanessa Redgrave (Movie Stars Do not Die in Liverpool).
Saoirse Ronan’s First Oscar Nomination
Atonement could not have been a much bigger hit. The movie is on nearly each “better of” listing for films from the 12 months 2007. It was nominated for seven Academy Awards, profitable Finest Unique Rating for Dario Marianelli. It additionally launched worldwide audiences to the dazzling abilities of Saoirse Ronan (Little Ladies), who obtained her first of 4 Academy Award nominations for her function on this movie. “On paper and on display screen, Atonement is a narrative of uncommon magnificence,” Moira MacDonald wrote for The Seattle Occasions, “each wrenching and sensible.”
‘Brideshead Revisited’ (2008)
Brideshead Revisited is a British drama directed by Julian Jarrold (A Very Royal Scandal) and based mostly on Evelyn Waugh’s 1945 novel of the identical title. The screenplay was written by Jeremy Brock (A Little Chaos) and Andrew Davies (Sanditon). When middle-class aspiring artist Charles Ryder (Matthew Goode) meets the rich Lord Sebastian Flyte (Ben Whishaw) on the College of Oxford within the Thirties, the 2 strike up a friendship. Sebastian invitations Charles to go to his house. Quickly, nonetheless, Charles finds himself drawn to Sebastian’s sister Julia (Hayley Atwell). This makes Sebastian jealous and keen to place distance between Charles and his household.
A Compelling Drama
Along with the three beautiful leads, the solid contains Emma Thompson, Michael Gambon, and Felicity Jones (The Idea of Every thing) in her second characteristic movie function. Brideshead Revisited obtained combined critiques general, however did properly sufficient to choose up nominations on the British Unbiased Movie Awards, GLAAD Media Awards, Satellite tv for pc Awards, Irish Movie and Tv Awards, and the London Critics Circle Movie Awards. Emma Thompson garnered loads of reward for taking part in Sebastian and Julia’s mom, Woman Marchmain. Dennis Harvey at Selection referred to as it a “finely wrought” movie providing “lush and compelling drama.”
‘Crooked Home’ (2017)
Crooked Home is a whodunnit directed by Gilles Paquet-Brenner (Sarah’s Key) with a screenplay Paquet-Brenner wrote with Julian Fellowes and Tim Rose Value (The Serpent’s Kiss). It’s based mostly on Agatha Christie’s 1949 novel of the identical title. When the patriarch of the wealthy Leonides household is murdered, the sufferer’s granddaughter, Sophia Leonides (Stefanie Martini), tries to unravel the thriller. The solid options Glenn Shut (Damages), Terence Stamp (Final Night time in Soho), Max Irons (Condor), Julian Sands (A Room with a View), Christina Hendricks (Mad Males), and Gillian Anderson (The Crown).
Julian Fellowes Meets Agatha Christie
Crooked Home is not like a lot of the films on this listing. It is set within the Nineteen Fifties, however since it is a Julian Fellowes interval piece, it feels price together with. It isn’t an ideal movie, and critiques aren’t as sturdy for this one as they’re for a few of the different films right here, however it’s a enjoyable addition for Agatha Christie followers. Composer Hugo de Chaire received Finest Unique Composition for Characteristic Movie Rating on the Music + Sound Awards. The movie was additionally nominated for the Grand Prize for Finest Literary Adaptation on the CineLibri Worldwide E-book and Film Pageant.
‘The Chaperone’ (2018)
The Chaperone was tailored for the display screen by Julian Fellowes and directed by Michael Engler. Downton Abbey‘s Elizabeth McGovern stars as Norma Carlisle, a reserved lady who agrees to chaperon wild teenage dancer Louise Brooks (Haley Lu Richardson) from Kansas to a prestigious dance academy in 1922. Although the movie is a piece of fiction, Louise Brooks was a real-life actress through the Twenties and Thirties. She is taken into account one of many first flappers and helped to popularize the bobbed coiffure.
A Charming Costume Drama
The Chaperone is a captivating little movie that flew underneath the radar, and McGovern’s efficiency is pleasant. Critiques have been combined, with audiences having fun with the film greater than critics. The movie solely has a 48% ranking from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, however audiences give it 72% on the Popcornmeter. “This based-extremely-loosely-on-fact costume drama tailored from a novel by Laura Moriarty ought to hit the candy spot for followers of Fellowes’ specific number of saucy-soapy interval items,” wrote Leslie Felperin for The Guardian, who gave the film 3/5 stars.
‘Woman Chatterley’s Lover’ (2022)
Woman Chatterley’s Lover is the newest adaptation of D. H. Lawrence’s basic 1928 novel. It was directed by Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre (The Act) with a screenplay by David Magee (Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day). Emma Corrin (The Crown) stars as Constance Reid, who turns into Woman Chatterley upon marrying the baronet Sir Clifford Chatterley (Matthew Duckett). When Clifford is paralyzed in World Warfare I, their marriage adjustments eternally. Clifford turns into distant — targeted extra on cash and energy than he’s on his spouse. As they develop aside, Constance embarks on a passionate affair with gamekeeper Oliver Mellors (Jack O’Connell).
‘Heady Romance’
This steamy romantic drama has been profitable on Netflix. Corrin has obtained specific reward for his or her efficiency within the title function. Leah Greenblatt at Leisure Weekly referred to as the film “an unabashedly heady romance, wealthy in fairly costumes — after they’re sporting them — and luxurious, lusty environment.” Woman Chatterley’s Lover is licensed contemporary with an 86% ranking from critics on Rotten Tomatoes.
- Launch Date
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September 12, 2025
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Laura Carmichael
Edith Crawley
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Phyllis Logan
Elsie Hughes
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Robert James-Collier
Thomas Barrow
