Michelle Dockery, star of Downton Abbey, share her alternate ending vision for the series finale, justifying why the original finale was superior.
In a heartfelt finale, the much-loved characters of Downton Abbey returned to the silver screen in 2025, with the release of the second film, Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale. Michelle Dockery, who plays the resilient Lady Mary Talbot, moved into the very house where Violet Crawley, portrayed by the legendary Maggie Smith, once lived. This change marked a significant shift in the storyline, as Mary officially took over running the family estate. The film saw Mary grappling with a personal crisis and societal scandal following her divorce from her second husband, Henry Talbot. The final scene, set in the grand main hall, was more emotional than a scene showing Mary at her desk. In this poignant moment, Mary reminisced about memories involving deceased loved ones, particularly those that took place in the main hall of Downton. During the filming of this scene, music was played over speakers to help Dockery 'really get into what that was going to feel [and] look like.' The actress revealed that she knew Mary would be flashing back to long-departed characters during this last scene. The challenge, she explained, was to not cry and burst into tears as herself due to Mary's stoicism. The main hall scene was a significant choice to conclude the movie, according to Dockery. She believes it provided a fitting end to the saga, marking the true endpoint as stated by Dockery in an interview with THR. As the credits rolled, the principal characters were shown living happily, a testament to the enduring bonds formed over the years at Downton Abbey. Interestingly, the alternate ending of Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale might have given a misleading impression about Mary's current position. Fortunately, the released version offers a more accurate portrayal of her life post-divorce. For fans eager to revisit the world of Downton Abbey, the original TV series, as well as the first two movies, can be streamed with a Peacock subscription. In a recent interview, Dockery also mentioned her search for a behind-the-scenes Easter egg related to the show. She reminisced about her favourite Maggie Smith moment from Downton Abbey, adding a touch of nostalgia to the ongoing conversation about this beloved series. An intriguing behind-the-scenes fact emerged when Dockery mentioned a game called 'Wink Murder' that was played by the cast of Downton Abbey, including Maggie Smith. The details of this game are yet to be fully disclosed, leaving fans intrigued and eager for more insights into the making of this iconic series.
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