Paul Copley

Tempers fray as Isobel’s kind gesture backfires. Branson’s decisions about Downton are put under scrutiny and Bates takes a dangerous gamble in an effort to gain his freedom.

We return to Downton Abbey in 1925, and secrets and rifts threaten the unity of the family, while those below stairs navigate social changes which put their futures in jeopardy. Mary's past catches up with her when an unwelcome visitor delivers an ultimatum, and news about the running of Downton Hospital puts Violet on the warpath. Friends of the Crawleys, the Darnleys, have been forced to sell their ancestral home, and Daisy's good intentions at the Mallerton House auction have disastrous consequences. With friends in debt and fashions changing, Robert is feeling the pressure to make staff cutbacks at Downton. Carson is concerned that Mrs Hughes is having second thoughts about their impending matrimony, and judgement day finally arrives for Anna and Bates.

Rosamund hatches a plan to help Edith out of her predicament, but will Violet see straight through it? Isobel is on the receiving end of some unexpected attention, while Mary asks Gillingham for a favor. Rose has her nose put out of joint when plans don’t go her way, and Alfred realizes too late that he may have made a mistake. And just when Bates and Anna seem to be coming through the worst of their troubles, unexpected news gives Anna fresh cause for concern.

As Tom and Sybbie settle back into life at Downton, the family and servants are surprised with the return of another old friend in unexpected circumstances. A visit from Sergeant Willis leaves Baxter with a dilemma, and Thomas struggles to fill Mr Carson’s shoes. A crisis takes Anna and Mary to London; will Bates find out what Anna has been keeping from him? Daisy has a bone to pick with Cora, and Mary’s eye is caught by an admirer.

Preparations for Mr Carson and Mrs Hughes’ wedding are underway, but a misunderstanding threatens the peace. Edith reconnects with an old acquaintance, who comes to her aid in an hour of need. Spratt has something to hide but Denker is hot on the trail, and Daisy jumps to conclusions about a plan of Cora’s. Tensions mount over the hospital takeover, leading Isobel to offend a friend. The wedding day brings a surprise, with the arrival of some unexpected guests.