Downton Abbey

Set in the years after the Edwardian era, Downton Abbey follows the intertwined lives of an aristocratic family and the staff who keep their estate running. The Crawleys wrestle with inheritance, romance, grief and shifting responsibilities as new technologies, politics and social expectations press in. Upstairs and downstairs are each shown with attention to personal hopes and private struggles, and decisions made in one part of the household echo through the other. The show keeps historical events in the background rather than as plot twists, using them to change characters' fortunes and to show how the British class system began to change.

Created and written by Julian Fellowes, the series premiered in 2010 and was produced as a British period drama with high production values, period costumes and sprawling country-house settings that helped define its look.

The series earned widespread awards attention, receiving multiple Emmy and Golden Globe nominations and winning several prizes, including acting recognition for members of the cast. Its ensemble performances were singled out repeatedly by critics and awards bodies during its run.

Downton Abbey became a cultural phenomenon, reviving interest in heritage tourism and boosting visits to the real-world locations associated with the show. Its visual style influenced fashion and event design, and references to its characters and sayings entered popular conversation, helping period dramas regain prominence on television worldwide.

Critics largely praised the series, reflected in an 8.119/10 average from viewers, for strong acting, careful production design and its interplay of personal drama with social change. Key themes include class and duty, the impact of modernity on tradition, and evolving roles for women and servants alike. While some viewers wanted more narrative risk, many appreciated the steady focus on relationships and the ways history reshapes ordinary lives.