All good things must come to an end and it looks like Downton Abbey is no exception. The UK historical drama is ending with the upcoming sixth season reports TVLine. The series airs on PBS here in the US.
Word is that many of the castmembers’ contracts are due to expire at the end of season six and they are ready to move on. Earlier this month, actress Maggie Smith teased that the series would be ending, saying, “I can’t see how it could go on… I mean, I certainly can’t keep going. To my knowledge, I must be 110 by now. We’re into the late 1920s.”
According to insiders, “You can keep the show going without Matthew and Sybill, but you can’t continue it without the entire Crawley family,” an insider notes.”
What do you think? Are you sorry that Downton Abbey is coming to an end or, is the time right? Would you have watched a seventh season without some members of the cast?
The only way you’ll get a seventh season is to convince the majority of the cast to renew their contracts since the article stated “many of the castmembers’ contracts are due to expire at the end of season six and they are ready to move on”
Likely not going to happen.
While I (reluctantly) agree with the “leave ’em wanting more” philosophy, I also agree that SEVEN is the best number of seasons for a much-loved, successful show like this, not six! I ADORE Maggie Smith in this role and will miss her sharp wit most keenly, as well as the rest of this fine ensemble. If we could just get the seventh season, I for one would never breathe a word of complaint after that.
Agreed….100%
Leave ’em wanting more. I want more, but I love what they have given us.
I am so disappointed by the decision to end Downton Abbey. My husband and I love the show! So do all our friends. It would be good to let it go one more season at least. Wonderful acting by a great cast…I do wish and hope you will reconsider your decision and bring it back at least one or two more seasons. Then we can see how everything turns out. And we know then what a gift this program has definitely turned out to be. Thank you for reading my opinion. The people who are sooooo sick and tired of… Read more »
Yes….all good things must come to an end, true enough; however, it seems as though with GREAT television shows today, they come to an end FAR too soon. Great television programs of yesteryear lasted 20 years or more and did not seem to lack for inspirational, creative writing, story-lines, new character creation, acting, etc. I think the problem today is that those who create such great series are far to possessive and fail to see that they can continue to oversee these fabulous programs while stepping aside and allowing other creative individuals come in and breathe new life into the… Read more »
Julian Fellowes writer and creator of Downton Abbey gave an interview in Vanity Fair January this year where he stated he was leaving England and heading to New York to work on the new series The Gilded Age for NBC. The Gilded Age was announced last year for an upcoming show. NBC Entertainment President Robert Greenblatt made the announcement at the Television Critics Association press tour that Julian Fellowes is taking on the series. In a more recent interview when Fellowes was asked about The Gilded Age he said: “It will happen when Downton finishes, because I just couldn’t do… Read more »
Season 5 was getting a bit slow and the Mr., then Mrs., Bate’s crime investigation was a tedious and useless arc. The show would have been better without it. Hopefully Season 6 will go out on a high note and we’ll see more of Maggie Smith in the future.
British television (Masterpiece) is generally “slower” than U.S. television, but it is also done better. They make sure all their i’s are dotted and their t’s are crossed. Downton Abbey has been excellent viewing, but I agree with Mary Olin – it’s time to end (and on a high note, I hope).
Well I can see from you comment Sharonda why there is an overwhelming number of mindless reality TV shows. If you are any indication of who drives the asinine television that we are being forced to watch there is no hope for intelligence for future generations.
Amen finally someone with sense and intelligent maybe u should be running the network but u’r right all that’s on is reality tv that’s sucks and stinks and a lot of rral actor aren’t 2 happy with that also it’s just not enough or any good quality tv on any more
I just bought the limited edition DVD box set of the first four seasons for my mom. Guess it was really good timing on my part. 2 more left to get.
I so enjoy this show and I understand what Maggie Smith is saying; however there is other actors worth watching on the show as well. I’m sorry if this will be the final series but understand if the actors are ready to move on as well.
OH NO! Lucky number is 7, not 6! I think seven is a good round number for this fantastic show! C’mon Everyone- Let’s swarm the internet, pleading for just that extra season of this Awesome, WONDERFUL Program!!!!!!!!!
Hell YEA WHO MADE THIS DUMASS IDEA UP IS THERE ANY GOOD TV ON NOW A DAYS IT’S BAD ENOUGH WHAVE 2 WAIT for ever 4 THE SHOW 2 COME BACK ON NOW THIS AT LEAST LET LADY MARY BE A MISERABLE COW THAT SHE IS STAY THAT WAY HER SISTER GET HAPPINESS EVEN IF YOU HAVE 2 BRING THE GUY BACK SHE’S LOVE AND THE STAFF GET SOME HAPPINESS DAM P.B.S. NOW U’R PISSIN ME OF 2 WHAT NEXT EAST ENDERS HOW ABOUT THE UP 2 DAY VISION OF THAT SHOW K.
I have loved this series, and am looking forward to the 6th season. But..I think that it would be best to end it after that. Better to leave it with folks wanting more, rather than wishing it would just be over…
The show has become a bit tired, especially the murder investigations involving first Mr. then Mrs. Bates. Who ever came up with the storyline should have been jailed. But I will miss Maggie Smith.