DOWNTON ABBEY: A NEW ERA REVIEW

 *MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS*

Julian Fellowes’ period drama series, Downton Abbey, ran for six series, beginning in 2010 and ending in 2015. However, four years after the final episode was broadcast on TV, Downton Abbey was adapted into a feature length film, with the majority of characters returning and providing audiences with more of the drama that viewers had come to expect. It received a mostly positive response from critics, who said that it distilled “ many of the ingredients that made the show an enduring favourite”, and earned over $194 million at the box office. Following its success, a sequel has been released, named A New Era. However, does it meet the quality of its predecessor and the original drama series?The premise focuses on the Crawley family, including husband and wife, Lord Robert (Hugh Bonneville) and Lady Cora Crawley (Elizabeth McGovern), and their daughter, Edith (Laura Carmichael), who travel to the South of France when Robert’s mother, Violet (Maggie Smith), reveals she owns a villa there. Meanwhile, the drama continues at Downton Abbey when a director, Jack Barber (Hugh Dancy), arrives with a glamorous cast, leading man, Guy Dexter (Dominic West) and the diva like Myrna Dagleish (Laura Haddock), intending to make a feature film.

Those who have seen the first film and the original drama series will, most likely, be impressed with what director Simon Curtis has created with the sequel, A New Era, as it sees most of the cast returning as the beloved characters and is filled with the compelling drama viewers have come to expect. However, those who have never seen an episode of Downton Abbey will find little to enjoy as the sequel expects you to know who the characters are and their relationships and what they’ve been through in the past. Prior to watching the first film in 2019, I hadn’t seen the original series but still enjoyed the film and, with the release of the sequel, I decided to watch the show on Netflix. As a result, I enjoyed A New Era more as I was more familiar with all of the characters and their stories. 

The reason why a lot of sequels fail to impress as much as their predecessor is because, instead of telling a new story, it repeats the plot and results in a predictable and underwhelming watch. Fortunately, this wasn’t the case with A New Era, which progresses and develops both the characters and story. The script was written by Fellowes who is obviously the ideal choice as he’s the original creator of the series and understands what each of the characters have been through. The film frequently cuts between the Crawleys, along with their faithful butler, Charles Carson (Jim Carter), who view the luxurious villa in the South of France, and the film crew who have difficulties making their silent movie due to an increase in popularity with talking pictures. Of the two opposing storylines, I personally enjoyed the latter plot involving the making of the silent film as it’s more interesting. While the story that takes place in the South of France offers some beautiful scenery shots, I found it to be lacking in drama, with little happening, apart from Robert beginning to suspect that Violet may have lied about his biological father when he discovers her romantic relationship with the French man who has left her the villa following his recent death. The drama involving the making of the silent film is more compelling and fascinating as it provides audiences with an insight into how movies were made a century ago. Because of the advancement in technology and computer generated imagery, films are easier to make, however, making a film in the early twentieth century was challenging, especially for silent films after talking pictures took over. 

What’s most impressive about A New Era is that, despite the extraordinary ensemble cast, both the director, Curtis, and Fellowes are able to give screen time to most of the characters, with the impressive cast delivering strong performances. Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, Michelle Dockery and Laura Carmichael return as the friendly and formal members of the Crawley family. Whilst her parents and sister vacate to France to escape the drama of the film production, Dockery’s Lady Mary Talbot remains in charge at Downton and, as a result of the absence of her husband, Henry Talbot (due to the actor, Matthew Goode filming The Offer, a spin-off series from the epic drama, The Godfather), she forms a close relationship with Jack. Carter provides a friendly portrayal of everyone’s favourite butler, Carson, and even shares an amusing scene with his real life wife, Imelda Staunton, who portrays Lady Maud Bagshaw. Also returning are the members of the Downton Abbey staff including maid Anna Bates (Joanne Froggatt), cooks Daisy Mason (Sophie McShera) and Beryl Patmore (Lesley Nicol). The newcomers, Hugh Dancy, Dominic West and Laura Haddock, are welcome additions to the cast. However, the standout performance belongs to Maggie Smith who, from the very first episode, stole every scene she was in as the feisty Lady Violet Crawley, and that continues to be the same here. While she doesn’t have the most screen time, Lady Violet is the most memorable character, mainly because of her witty responses to Lady Isobel Merton (Penelope Wilton). It’s because of Smith’s commanding screen presence why the ending is so emotional. 

Although a third film hasn’t yet been confirmed, I think that A New Era represents a fitting conclusion to Downton Abbey as it provides viewers with compelling drama and sees the return of their beloved characters to the big screen.

7/10