First look at Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale as cast return for final time

, the cinematic return of the global phenomenon, follows the Crawley family and their staff as they enter the 1930s. As the beloved cast of characters navigates how to lead Downton Abbey into the future, they must embrace change and welcome a new chapter.

The new series stars Simon Russell Beale, Hugh Bonneville, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter, Raquel Cassidy, Brendan Coyle, Michelle Dockery, Kevin Doyle, Michael Fox, Joanne Froggatt and . It will also include Harry Hadden-Paton, Robert James-Collier, Allen Leech, Phyllis Logan, Elizabeth McGovern, Sophie McShera, Lesley Nicol, Alessandro Nivola, Dominic West, Penelope Wilton, Arty Froushan, Joely Richardson, Paul Copley, and Douglas Reith.

Downton Abbey is set for a lavish farewell as the final film in the trilogy arrives this September. A striking red-and-gold teaser hints at high drama and elegance, with the tagline: “It’s almost time to bid farewell.”

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Michelle Dockery, 43, returns as Lady Mary, seen in the poster standing in Downton’s grand doorway in a crimson gown, tiara, and gloves - poised between legacy and goodbye.

Original cast members Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, Laura Carmichael, and Jim Carter will reprise their roles, reuniting for one last story written by series creator Julian Fellowes and directed by Simon Curtis.

The series first captured audiences in 2010 and concluded on Day 2015, collecting multiple Emmys along the way. Its cinematic follow-ups began in 2019 with a royal visit, followed by Downton Abbey: A New Era in 2022, which saw the Crawleys travel to the French Riviera.

This final chapter marks the end of an era - one that will carry the memory of Dame Maggie Smith, who died in 2024, and whose iconic portrayal of Violet Crawley helped define the beloved saga.

The third film debuted its trailer during CinemaCon, and is now sharing it with audiences everywhere. Julian Fellowes returns to write the installment, which is set in the same universe as his show “The Gilded Age.”

Fellowes previously teased that the elusive plot of “The Grand Finale” is “emboldened” by the clock timer invention that takes place in “The Gilded Age.”

The logline for “The Grand Finale” reads: “The time has come to say goodbye to ‘Downton Abbey.’ Focus Features is bringing the beloved Crawley household to theaters for the final installment of the wildly successful franchise written by creator Julian Fellowes.”

Back in April, actress Joanne Froggatt shed light on the anticipated new Downton Abbey film during an appearance on The One Show, chatting with hosts Gethin Jones and Alex Scott.

The host eagerly asked about the final chapter of the cherished period drama, which drops in September, as she questioned: "Are you ready to say goodbye?"

To which Joanne responded: "Oh my goodness, it's going to be hard! We've said goodbye a few times, thinking, 'This is the end', at the end of the seasons. Then we did one movie and we wondered if we'd get a second movie.

"This really is, the third and final, so this really is goodbye. It's going to be emotional, but all good things must come to an end, I suppose."

Audiences recognise Joanne from her enduring role as Anna Bates in the saga, emerging onto the scene back in 2010. The series concluded in 2015 with her role capping off an impressive run, though she reprised her role for the subsequent movies, with the first launching four years post-finale in 2019.

As Joanne confirmed this marks the cast's last curtain call, host Gethin Jones couldn't resist probing for some juicy tidbits about the finale.

Challenged about spilling any details, Joanne divulged: "Look, I think I can say Anna, my character, is pregnant because I was pregnant when we were filming and there's been pictures out there, so that's one spoiler."

Gethin appeared oblivious to the revelation as his reaction conveyed visible astonishment. In jest, Joanna supplemented her confession with: "I wrote my own storyline there."

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