A Deep Dive Into Every Fancy Detail In The New ‘Downton Abbey’ Film Trailer
The trailer certainly holds enough potential drama for everyone to sink their teeth into (like one of Mrs Patmore’s tarts).
It is with the familiar chime of a tingly brass bell, that the first full length trailer of the hugely popular TV series, Downton Abbey arrives.
With all the British finery and pithy repartee that stood as trademarks of the original six season series.
Alas, the trailer doesn’t leave you a lot of time to sink into the familiar rich comforts of Downton, as right from the get go we are thrust into the capital Drama.
Between the classic orchestral music to the sweeping cinematography of a residence worth, one suspects, at least several avocado farms, the trailer feels very Downton, and *gasp* The King and Queen are coming!
In the trailer the 7th Earl of Grantham, Robert Crawley—decidedly recovered from his bout of red-wedding syndrome — gets a letter from the royal family announcing the visit of George V and Queen Mary.
It’s all very Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, though decidedly more white bread.
Not that something as plain as white bread would be allowed at the table in the presence of Dame Maggie Smith, the Dowager Countess of Grantham (there would need to be some sort of condiment, a pâté, perhaps, some cheese served on the best china) who, upon hearing of their impending visitors rolls her eyes and says; “Here we go.”
And indeed here we do go, into the depths of the Downton Abbey trailer to get a little bit of a taste as to what we can expect from the long-awaited film follow up.
Familiar Faces
It seems that the entire cast has returned to reprise their roles, apart from Lily James, who played Lady Rose.
Even the retired former butler Charles Carson, (played by Jim Carter), makes an appearance, coming to the aid of the household in the wake of the Royals impending visit. One wonders how current butler the tricksy Thomas Barrow (Robert James Collier) might take that.
Speaking to this, the characters do seem to maintain their varying essences that has made them so loveable.
Lord Grantham is still endearingly stuffy. Mrs Patmore (Lesley Nicol) remains the put upon and under-appreciated chief cook (Team Patmore rise!). Thomas is gorgeous and pouty, and the Dowager Countess appropriately scathing, remarking to her son Lord Grantham; “I never argue. I explain,” in one scene.
Even the returning Carson remains loyal to a fault toward our leading Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery), coming out of retirement per her plea. Mary herself is shown grappling with the continuing existence of the estate in the ever-modern (as we’re told) 1927.
It’s interesting to note that the show opened up with the 1914 sinking of the Titanic — season two brutally followed our characters into the First World War.
We closed out the series in 1925 after Hitler had released Mein Kampf, but before he had seized control of Germany. 1927 holds enough historical moments that it’s unlike Downton Abbey’s nature to not comment upon.
But still…
Only Downton Abbey could side-swipe the rise of Hitler for the drama of every introverts hell: visitors *shudder*.
Rematch: McGonagall VS Umbridge
The Harry Potter fan in me (Pre- Wizards shitting themselves, mind) was delighted to see Imelda Staunton join the cast as Lady Bagsaw, and right off the bat going toe-to-toe with fellow Potter Alum, the endlessly sharp Dowager Countess.
It’s a delightfully petty squabble, not unlike their stairwell tete-tete outside the Great Hall in Order of the Phoenix. (That whole thing with the stairs! FORESHADOWING??)
Never-the-less, swapping Hogwarts out for Highclere castle has done nothing to blunt McGonagall’s claws. The two clash quite fabulously, seemingly being on their best (worst) behaviour for the arriving royals.
It’s fun to note that Imelda Staunton’s real-life husband Jim Carter, former butler Carson is already firmly entrenched on the Dowagers side in this spat. Perhaps Carson’s on-screen wife Mrs Hughes (Phyllis Logan) will join the Dowager in a tag team?
That’s a match I would watch.
Is This A Kissing Book?
We get a lot of kisses in this trailer, some admittedly little silly; Lady Mary’s husband Henry Talbot (Matthew Goode) absolutely just flooring it up the stairs to plant one on Mary (RIP first husband and fan favourite Matthew Crawley played by Dan Stevens).
These two kids aren’t the only ones feeling the love tonight, it looks like Allen Leach’s Tom Branson is falling all over again for a Lady’s maid. This time Lady Bagshaw’s, played by Tuppence Middleton.
There’s even a long awaited romance for — arguably, one of the most complex queer characters put to screen — Thomas Barrow, who in matters of love and the potential for his character got a dismal send off in season six.
Yet he finally seems to be getting a little love (quite literally) as he’s seen sharing a kiss with a mystery man (possibly a member of the Royal family’s staff?) and dancing with another (second! You dog!) man in a 1920’s gay bar.
Perhaps Downton Abbey’s long held (and long critiqued) obsession with gayngst shall finally be put to rest in the upcoming film? One can hope.
A Page out of Thomas’ Book
Speaking of my son Thomas, it looks like the Royal family’s entourage is ruffling a few feathers downstairs.
Arriving at the stately home believing themselves superior, their arrival seems to promise us a pair (trio with Carson now) of warring butlers, marauding maids, fraternising footmen, silver service shenanigans — and for once the Downton Staff seem to be following in the footsteps of Thomas’ more underhanded sneaky ways and refusing to stand for it.
“This is treason!” Carter shouts as the Downstairs Suicide Squad plot the downfall of their rivals.
Ooh, treason? Delicious.
For Downton fans it may be a bit hard to keep that stiff upper lip, as more and more threads are being woven, knotted and snipped for the Crawley family and downstairs staff.
Today’s trailer certainly holds enough potential drama for everyone to sink their teeth into (like one of Mrs Patmore’s tarts).
This fan in particular, after what I found a disappointing final season is glad to see that the show’s creator Julian Fellowes and crew have returned to form: promising to bring that unique Downton flavour back to our screens.
Straighten those backs Downton fans, and shine those silver spoons, we might just be in for the royal treatment.
Downton Abbey is due for release in Australia on September 13, 2019. The series can currently be streamed on Netflix.
Jes Layton is @AGeekwithaHat, writing, drawing and discussing queer-nerdy things in Melbourne.