'Downton Abbey' season 6 spoilers: The end of an era; producers promise a satisfying conclusion
The curtain closes for the hit British drama series "Downton Abbey," as it airs its final season early next year. The show is set in a post-Edwardian era in the fictional Yorkshire county estate in Britain. Fans eagerly wait for the final season as the show says good-bye for good.
Last season, Downton Abbey had a bittersweet ending that wrapped the season up rather nicely and set up everything for the next one. The finale was jam-packed with moments that were pleasantly surprising. There was a marriage proposal, as Carson (Jim Carter) finally asks Miss Hughes (Phyllis Logan) to marry him, and Tom Branson (Allen Leech) decides to leave the Abbey, in order to create a new life with his daughter in the new world.
In the upcoming season, however, Tom Branson will find himself back in Downton as he helps the clan prepare for a motor race. Participating in the race are Henry Talbot (Matthew Goode) and Lord Gillingham (Tom Cullen) who may be making an effort to win Lady Mary's (Michelle Dockery) favor. The scenes were filmed at the Brooklands Musuem, which is near Weybridge, Surrey.
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The forthcoming season's central theme will be focused on Lady Mary's romantic life as the producers aim to tie up all the main themes of the show in this final season which, hopefully, will leave fans fully satisfied.
"Mary's romantic life has been a constant focus since Matthew's death and is likely to remain so," said executive producer Gareth Neames. The new season will also be about resolution.
The trailer for the new season hinted at some interesting plot points for the season and how everything will end. The passage of time is a prevalent theme as the family downsizes its staff in order to save. Anna seems pretty happy reminiscing with Lady Mary, while Carson and Mrs. Hughes will have a happy ending. Some old favorite characters will return for the last season.
In the final season, fans will see Lady Mary finally choose a suitor, and the continuing romance of Charles and Elsie will be a very big plot. There will also be a nice relaxing day for the servants of the Abbey in the next season, as the so-called downstairs cast were seen filming some scenes. Fans can also expect at least one wedding and one funeral. Producer Neames aims to leave fans feeling "contented" with the way this series wraps up.
The season will see some very interesting changes as the fortune of the family fades and the cost of maintaining a full house is too great, forcing them to let most of their staff go since other families are doing the same. There will also be an epic catfight between sisters Lady Mary and Lady Edith in the finale season. It really is the end of an era.
Downton Abbey will air its final season on Jan. 3, 2016 in the United States and Sept. 20, 2015 in the United Kingdom.
