Here is the cast of the Downton Abbey movie and the characters they portray. Picking up the story 18 months after the end of the hit TV series, which aired from 2010-2015 on ITV in the UK and on Masterpiece PBS in the United States, the feature film reunites nearly all of the actors who appeared in Downton Abbey season 6. There will also be several new characters visiting the great house of Yorkshire County.
In the Downton Abbey movie, which is set in 1927, the Crawleys must brace for a royal visit from King George V and Queen Mary. In the TV series, which was set from 1912-1925, Downton Abbey was in the midst of the sweeping societal changes after World War I, which included their aristocratic way of life gradually fading away. The Downton Abbey estate was forced to downgrade its staff to only the most essential (and loyal) servants, but with the arrival of the Royal Family, Lord Grantham (Hugh Bonneville) and Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) must quickly restore their great house back to the grandeur fitting for the King and Queen’s visit. This means calling back their oldest and most reliable friends in their time of need.
Downton Abbey has always featured a sprawling ensemble and, between the Crawley family and the retinue of servants who keep the house running, the Downton Abbey movie boasts 23 characters in its main cast alone. With only two hours to tell the film’s story as opposed to the usual 10 episode season, this, unfortunately, means a few familiar faces won’t appear, including Lily James, who played Lady Rose in Downton Abbey seasons 3-5. The film will also be focused on the current members of the cast and won’t be utilizing flashbacks to include deceased fan-favorites like Matthew Crawley (Dan Stevens) and Lady Sybil (Jessica Brown-Findlay). However, there are more than enough beloved characters returning for the Downton Abbey movie to make it a must-see event for fans.
Downton Abbey Movie: Returning Crawley Family Members
Hugh Bonneville as Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham - After suffering from a burst ulcer in Downton Abbey season 6, Lord Grantham has taken a step back, leaving Lady Mary to run the estate.
Elizabeth McGovern as Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham - Cora has taken over as President of the local hospital, a role previously held by the Dowager Countess.
Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary Talbot - Mary wed Henry Talbot in Downton Abbey season 6 and took over the responsibility of running the estate. She also has a new baby with Henry and is the mother of George, the son she had with the late Matthew Crawley.
Laura Carmichael as Lady Edith Pelham, Marchioness of Hexham - Lady Edith Crawley married Bertie Pelham in the Downton Abbey series finale; now a Marchioness, she outranks the rest of her family.
Allen Leech as Tom Branson - Tom opened up an automobile shop with Henry Talbot in York named Talbot and Branson Motors. He is a widowed father to Sybbie, his daughter with the late Lady Sybil, but he may find a new romance in the Downton Abbey movie.
Maggie Smith as Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham - Violet reluctantly ceded the role as President of the hospital to Cora but remains the fiery heart of the Crawley family. However, an old rival comes to visit and test her patience in the movie.
Penelope Wilton as Isobel Grey, Baroness Merton - Cousin Isobel married Dickie Grey, Baron Merton, at the end of the Downton Abbey series but she remains a vital part of the Crawley family.
Matthew Goode as Henry Talbot - Mary’s husband is a driver and mechanic who will only make a brief appearance in the movie.
Harry Hadden-Paton as Herbert “Bertie” Pelham, Marquess of Hexham - Bertie unexpectedly inherited the title of Marquess of Hexham before he married Edith. He’s a devoted husband and stepfather to Marigold.
Douglas Reith as Richard “Dickie” Grey, Baron Merton - Dickie Grey is Isobel’s husband and the godfather to Lady Mary. Among his numerous credits, Goode played Ozymandias in Watchmen (2009) and currently stars in A Discovery of Witches.
Oliver & Zac Barker as Master George Matthew Crawley - George is Mary’s son with Matthew and is the heir to the Earlship of Grantham and Downton Abbey. In the movie, George is roughly 6-7 years old.
Eva & Karina Samms as Miss Marigold Crawley - Marigold is Edith’s illegitimate daughter with the late Michael Gregson and the stepdaughter of Bertie Pelham. Marigold is roughly 4 years old in the movie.
Fifi Hart as Miss Sybil “Sybbie” Branson - Sybbie is Tom Branson’s daughter with the late Lady Sybil. In the Downton Abbey movie, Sybbie is about 7 years old.
Downton Abbey Movie: Returning Servants
Jim Carter as Charles Carson - The longtime butler of Downton Abbey married Mrs. Hughes in Downton Abbey season 6. Carson was stricken with palsy and had to retire from service but is called back by Lady Mary to get the great house ready for the King and Queen’s visit.
Phyllis Logan as Elsie Carson - The former Mrs. Hughes is Carson’s wife and the head housekeeper of Downton Abbey. She is in charge of all of the servants along with Mr. Barrow, the new butler.
Brendan Coyle as John Bates - Bates is the valet and old friend of Lord Grantham and is the devoted husband of Anna Bates.
Joanne Froggatt as Anna Bates - The long-suffering Anna is head housemaid and Mary’s ladies’ maid. She’s also the wife of John Bates and is now happily settled as the mother of an 18-month-old boy.
Rob James-Collier as Thomas Barrow - With Carson’s retirement, Barrow rose from footman to butler of Downton Abbey. Barrow still hides his secret that he’s gay from most of the household.
Leslie Nicols as Beryl Patmore - Mrs. Patmore is the head cook of Downton Abbey but also opened up her own bed and breakfast establishment.
Sophie McShera as Daisy Mason - Daisy was the scullery maid who became assistant cook. She developed feelings for Andy, the footman, and lives in the farm she inherited from her late husband William.
Raquel Kennedy as Phyllis Baxter - Mrs. Baxter is the ladies’ maid to the Cora, Countess of Grantham.
Michael C. Fox as Andrew “Andy” Parker - Andy is the footman at Downton Abbey and the love interest of Daisy.
Kevin Doyle as Joseph Molesley - Mr. Molesley was a footman who became a schoolteacher at the Downton School but he returns to the great house for special events, such as the visit by the King and Queen.
Downton Abbey Movie: New Cast & Characters
Simon Jones as King George V - George V reigned as King of England from 1910-1936. He is the grandson of Queen Victoria, the father of King Edward VIII and King George VI, and the grandfather of Queen Elizabeth II.
Geraldine James as Queen Mary - Mary of Teck is Queen Consort of England and was first cousin (once removed) from Queen Victoria.
Imelda Staunton as Lady Maud Bagshaw - Lady Maud is the distant cousin of Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess and an old grudge rears its head. Imelda Saunton is most famous for playing Dolores Umbridge in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
Kate Phillips as Princess Mary - The Countess of Harewood and the only daughter of King George and Queen Mary.
Andrew Havill as Henry Lascelles, Earl of Harewood - Henry Lascelles is the husband of Princess Mary.
David Haig as Mr. Wilson - The Royal Butler aka. the Page of the Back Stairs threatens to upend how Downton Abbey is run while the Royal Family visits.
Tuppence Middleton as Lucy Smith - Lucy is Lady Bagsaw’s maid and a new love interest for Tom Branson in the Downton Abbey movie.
Stephen Campbell Moore as Captain Chetwode - Chetwode is a mystery man who takes an interest in Tom Branson.
Philippe Spall as Monsieur Courbet, the Royal Chef - Mr. Courbet threatens to displace Mrs. Patmore’s dominance of Downton Abbey’s kitchen during the Royal Family’s visit.
Susan Lynch as Miss Lawton - Miss Lawton is Queen Mary’s dresser, who becomes a rival to Anna.
Richenda Carey as Mrs. Webb - The haughty Mrs. Webb is the Royal Family’s head housemaid.
Mark Addy as Mr. Bakewell - Mr. Bakewell is the village grocer Mrs. Patmore and Daisy buy Downton’s supplies from.
Max Brown also appears in the Downton Abbey movie as the King’s valet, Richard Ellis.
Next: Downton Abbey Recap: Everything You Need To Know Before The Movie
- Downton Abbey Release Date: 2019-09-20
