Sebastian Dunn

It's the grouse season and Rose's father-in-law Lord Sinderby has rented Brancaster Castle in Northumberland and invited the Crawleys to a shooting party. While good sport is enjoyed, a butler with an axe to grind and a scandalous secret threaten to undermine the holiday. Surprises are in store as the families become better acquainted with each other and some new faces arrive on the scene. Meanwhile the servants hold the fort back at Downton and unlikely later-life romances abound. As Anna faces an uncertain future behind bars, Bates takes drastic measures in a bid to clear her name. The seasons change and another Christmas is enjoyed at Downton Abbey. As the family and their servants revel in the festivities, there will be romance, a heart-breaking farewell, sad memories of love ones lost and a joyful reunion…

Neville Chamberlain, Minister of Health, dines at Downton Abbey as part of Violet’s latest scheme to quash plans for the takeover of Downton Hospital, but the evening proves to be distressing for all. Mrs Patmore, Daisy and Andy help Mr Mason to move into Yew Tree Farm and Andy finds an unexpected confidant in Thomas. Mary and Tom go to watch Henry Talbot test drive a new car, but Mary isn’t convinced she’s met her match. Edith has a date with Bertie Pelham in London, while Denker is in trouble with Violet and Spratt is forced to help her. Mrs Hughes is finding it difficult to please Mr Carson and Mary senses she’s been kept in the dark about a family secret.

Opinions are divided above and below stairs when Tom and Mary open Downton Abbey to the public for a day, in aid of the hospital. Mr Dawes, the headmaster, has a proposition for Mr Molesley, and Baxter is thrown into turmoil when she receives an unexpected letter. Plans for the hospital takeover reach a divisive resolution, with battle lines drawn between Cora and Violet. Carson has an axe to grind with Thomas, but all is not as it appears. Mary surprises Henry with a visit to London, while Bertie comes to Downton to see Edith. Can the sisters overcome the shadows of their pasts and find happiness?

Henry Talbot invites the Crawleys to watch him motor racing at Brooklands, and proceedings leave Mary reeling. Violet makes a plan which surprises the family but delights Denker, and gets to the bottom of Amelia Cruikshank’s curious show of friendship towards Isobel. Mr Molesley and Daisy must rise to the challenge on examination day, while Mrs Patmore and Mrs Hughes teach Mr Carson a lesson. Andy’s secret is brought to light, and Thomas feels increasingly isolated.

After Detective Lance arrests Oliver for murder, Oliver tells Moira that the only lawyer he'll allow to represent him is Laurel. Laurel takes the case, which puts her at odds with her father. Oliver offers to take a polygraph in front Detective Lance, but things get tense when Lance asks him if anyone else was on the island with him. Oliver flashes back to the island, when he got his first scar, courtesy of DC villain Deathstroke (guest star JEFFREY ROBINSON).