Downton Abbey creator explains those emotional surprise returns in The Grand Finale

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Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale spoilers follow.

Julian Fellowes, the writer behind *Downton Abbey*, recently shared why he brought back certain characters for emotional moments in the final episode of *The Grand Finale*.

The movie premiered in theaters on Friday, September 12th, and wraps up the beloved period drama after six seasons on TV and three previous films.

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In the final scene, Mary takes charge of the estate and reflects on the past, with visions of the late Violet and Sybil Crawley appearing alongside her.

Julian Fellowes, the creator and executive producer of the series, recently explained the finale to TVLine. He said they aimed to recapture what made the show and its characters so beloved by viewers.

There was a lot of discussion about how long the show should last and who should be involved, with concerns like, ‘Will viewers still remember Sybil?’ or ‘What about those who started watching later?’ But it’s important not to let those worries dictate your decisions.

Just do your best – that’s all that matters. It wasn’t important whether people recognized who others were. The key takeaway is that we’re all shaped by our experiences, and Mary’s life at Downton is a direct result of everything she’s been through and everyone she’s encountered.

Although Julian Fellowes has discussed the reasoning behind how the series ended, Laura Carmichael – who portrays Lady Edith Pelham – recently told Digital Spy that the finale was “truly touching.”

The film is deeply emotional. We all knew we were saying goodbye with this project, and I definitely felt the pressure to make it a proper farewell. Julian wrote an amazing script, which really helped.

The film needed to be grander and more engaging, both for devoted fans of the series and newcomers. It offers a truly immersive escape, a delightful family adventure, and ultimately leaves everyone feeling optimistic and content.

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale is in cinemas now.

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2025-09-16 16:19