Home > Downton Abbey > Season 1 « TV Series Page Downton Abbey: Season 1 (2011) SEASON: Season 1 Season 1 Season 2 Season 3 Season 4 Season 5 Season 6 Want to see Episode List Season 1 Downton Abbey Critics Consensus Downton Abbey transcends its soapy plotting with witty dialogue, lavish costumes and sets, and an outstanding cast. 92% TOMATOMETER Critic Ratings: 24 94% Audience Score User Ratings: 149 More Info × Close Submit review Want to see Submit review Super Reviewer Super Reviewer Tap to review this movie Review this tv season Edit Review Super Reviewer Rate this season Oof, that was Rotten. Meh, it passed the time. It’s good – I’d recommend it. Awesome! So Fresh: Absolute Must See! What did you think of this tv season? (optional) Submit Continue Super Reviewer Step 2 of 2 How did you get your ticket? 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Episodes 1 Episode 1 Air date: Jan 9, 2011 The first episode of the four-part drama begins in 1912, when the sinking of the Titanic punctures the succession plans of Lord Grantham (Hugh Bonneville), the father of three daughters, and inspires his wife (Elizabeth McGovern) and mother (Maggie Smith) to push him to separate his title from his estate, which are legally entailed to pass only to a man. The search settles on a young solicitor (Dan Stevens) unaccustomed to tawny trappings. More 2 Episode 2 Air date: Jan 16, 2011 Part 2 of 4. Mary entertains three suitors, including a Turkish diplomat. In other events, much to his dismay, the former life of Mr. Carson is revealed; Mr. Bates risks his health in order to keep his post of valet; and the maid Gwen's aspirations for a profession beyond service become known. More 3 Episode 3 Air date: Jan 23, 2011 Part 3 of 4. The rivalry between Mary and Edith reaches a fever pitch. In other events, Thomas and O'Brien plot against Mr. Bates while Anna's fondness for him grows; and Lady Violet's long winning streak at the annual flower show is threatened. More 4 Episode 4 Air date: Jan 30, 2011 Conclusion. A possible heir alternative to Matthew comes to the fore; Sybil's secret political life causes her harm; Anna investigates Mr. Bates' past while in London with Mrs. Patmore, who needs eye surgery; Mary meddles with Edith's romantic plans; and Thomas plans his exit strategy. More Downton Abbey: Season 1 Photos View All Photos (9) Tv Season Info The acclaimed costume drama opens in 1912 with the sinking of the Titanic, which punctures the succession plans of Robert Crawley (Hugh Bonneville), the Earl of Grantham -- his title and estate are legally entailed to only pass to a male, and he and his wife Cora (Elizabeth McGovern) have only produced daughters Mary ( Michelle Dockery) , Edith ( Laura Carmichael) and Sybil ( Jessica Brown Findlay). Mary, the eldest, had been slated to marry a distant cousin who was aboard the doomed ship with his father, the presumptive heir. And although Cora and Robert's tart-tongued mother ( Maggie Smith) think he should break the entailment so that the family's fortune can be left to the children, to do so would likely mean the end of his beloved estate; British laws at the time excluded women from inheriting property. Thus, he instead undertakes a search for a new heir, and finds one in the form of young middle-class solicitor Matthew Crawley (Dan Stevens), who arrives at Downton with his own outspoken mother (Penelope Wliton). As the first season progresses, Mary and Matthew come to share something of a love-hate relationship; Mary weathers a potentially scandalous incident; and Sybil begins to show an interest in politics. A la the classic "Upstairs, Downstairs," the series also delves into the lives of the estate's staff, including by-the-book butler Mr. Carson (Jim Carter), first footman Thomas Barrow (Rob James-Collier) and Mr. Bates (Brendan Coyle), Robert's former batman-turned-valet. Genre: Drama Network: PBS Premiere Date: Jan 9, 2011 Creator: Julian Fellowes Exec. Producers: Gareth Neame, Julian Fellowes, Rebecca Eaton Cast Hugh Bonneville as Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham Jessica Brown Findlay as Lady Sybil Crawley Laura Carmichael as Lady Edith Crawley Jim Carter as Mr. Carson Brendan Coyle as John Bates Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary Crawley Siobhan Finneran as Sarah O'Brien Joanne Froggatt as Anna Bates Thomas Howes as William Mason Rob James-Collier as Thomas Barrow Rose Leslie as Gwen Phyllis Logan as Mrs. Hughes Elizabeth McGovern as Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham Sophie McShera as Daisy Mason Lesley Nicol as Mrs. Patmore Maggie Smith as Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham Dan Stevens (IV) as Matthew Crawley Penelope Wilton as Isobel Crawley Charlie Cox as Duke of Crowborough Kevin Doyle as Joseph Molesley Robert Bathurst as Sir Anthony Strallan Bernard Gallagher as Bill Molesley Samantha Bond as Lady Rosamund Painswick Allen Leech as Tom Branson Brendan Patrick as Evelyn Napier David Robb as Dr. Clarkson Helen Sheals as Postmaster's Wife Andrew Westfield as Lynch Catherine Balavage as Suffragette Jonathan Coy as George Murray Lionel Guyett as Taylor Theo James as Kemal Pamuk Fergus O'Donnell as John Drake Cathy Sara as Mrs. Drake Laura Linney Show More Cast News & Interviews for Downton Abbey: Season 1 How Well Do You Know Legion Star Dan Stevens? Take the Quiz View All Downton Abbey: Season 1 News Episodes 1 Episode 1 Air date: Jan 9, 2011 The first episode of the four-part drama begins in 1912, when the sinking of the Titanic punctures the succession plans of Lord Grantham (Hugh Bonneville), the father of three daughters, and inspires his wife (Elizabeth McGovern) and mother (Maggie Smith) to push him to separate his title from his estate, which are legally entailed to pass only to a man. The search settles on a young solicitor (Dan Stevens) unaccustomed to tawny trappings. More 2 Episode 2 Air date: Jan 16, 2011 Part 2 of 4. Mary entertains three suitors, including a Turkish diplomat. In other events, much to his dismay, the former life of Mr. Carson is revealed; Mr. Bates risks his health in order to keep his post of valet; and the maid Gwen's aspirations for a profession beyond service become known. More 3 Episode 3 Air date: Jan 23, 2011 Part 3 of 4. The rivalry between Mary and Edith reaches a fever pitch. In other events, Thomas and O'Brien plot against Mr. Bates while Anna's fondness for him grows; and Lady Violet's long winning streak at the annual flower show is threatened. More 4 Episode 4 Air date: Jan 30, 2011 Conclusion. A possible heir alternative to Matthew comes to the fore; Sybil's secret political life causes her harm; Anna investigates Mr. Bates' past while in London with Mrs. Patmore, who needs eye surgery; Mary meddles with Edith's romantic plans; and Thomas plans his exit strategy. More Critic Reviews for Downton Abbey Season 1 All Critics (24) | Top Critics (13) | Fresh (22) | Rotten (2) It will satisfy the commoner in all of us, and for the toffs, Downton Abbey is as bracing as a good day's hunting. Jun 29, 2016 | Full Review… June Thomas Slate Top Critic Compulsively watchable from the get-go, Downton Abbey fulfills the Masterpiece designation more faithfully than just about anything else to grace the PBS showcase in years. Jun 29, 2016 | Full Review… Brian Lowry Variety Top Critic The story is so smartly written by Fellowes, and the characters are so well-acted, that it all feels engagingly fresh - and poignant, too. Jun 29, 2016 | Full Review… Matthew Gilbert Boston Globe Top Critic There is no mystery about the potency of this series, slathered in wit, powered by storytelling of a high order. Jun 29, 2016 | Full Review… Dorothy Rabinowitz Wall Street Journal Top Critic Downton Abbey will transfix viewers with a story, a feeling, a lifestyle that has proved to have limitless appeal. Jun 29, 2016 | Full Review… Hank Stuever Washington Post Top Critic Downton Abbey captures everything that viewers loved about Upstairs, Downstairs or Pride and Prejudice. Jun 29, 2016 | Full Review… David Hinckley New York Daily News Top Critic Downton Abbey feels ripe with potential, both for addictively gossipy tales of relationships and rivalries as well as for longer arcs of social change and historical unravelling. Jul 18, 2018 | Full Review… Adam Sweeting The Arts Desk Watching Downton Abbey is like curling up with a really satisfying book. Jun 29, 2016 | Full Review… Matt Roush TV Guide As a new year begins, viewers will be hard-pressed to find a more sumptuous, engaging drama than the Masterpiece Classic miniseries Downton Abbey. Jun 29, 2016 | Full Review… Rob Owen Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Great care has been taken to keep them pleasant and approachable, even when the things they say are sometimes shown to be class-bound and unfeeling. Nov 6, 2018 | Full Review… James Fenton The New York Review of Books It's not unreasonable to expect a period drama like Downton Abbey to offer scenes of illicit romance and unexpected death -- but at the same time? All that, and there's a fox hunt, too. Mar 29, 2019 | Full Review… David Bianculli NPR's Fresh Air Despite somewhat soapier tendencies, Downton Abbey is maintaining its stiff upper-crust lip. Jun 25, 2018 | Full Review… Megan Basham WORLD View All Critic Reviews (24) Audience Reviews for Downton Abbey: Season 1 Nov 13, 2019 This show is perfection. The storylines, characterization, costumes, sets, etc. all beautifully done. Bravo! Romana T Jul 19, 2018 (S1) I love it but sometimes it's a bit boring Mellisa N Dec 30, 2017 So great! Multiple fascinating story lines and characters. Sandy S Nov 12, 2017 Cool Brittanica and a wonderful view into the everyday machinations of 2 social hierarchies. Abhishek S Jun 24, 2017 Witty dialogue, lavish costumes and sets, and an outstanding cast. Tino P Oct 31, 2016 I resisted jumping on the Downton Abbey bandwagon for years. I finally watched the last episode of season six, which is the last episode of the entire series and I was instantly hooked! I subsequently watched the entire series on Netflix. Season one is phenomenal! 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