Last Updated on May 7, 2019
Do you miss watching your favorite Downton Abbey characters?
We can help. Many of Downton’s actors have been in costume dramas before (and after!) Downton Abbey. Here are suggestions of period movies and television mini-series to watch after Downton, all based on the cast members and creator of the PBS Masterpiece period drama that stole our hearts.
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The first list is made up of all the historical / costume / period dramas the cast of Downton Abbey have appeared in (as of January 2018).
The second list contains information about period dramas with two or more Downton cast members, and has an infographic you can enlarge to see how cast of the movies and series connect.
It didn’t make the infographic in time, but now there’s news that Lily James, Penelope Wilton, Jessica Brown Findlay and Matthew Goode will all appear in the upcoming The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society which is based on the New York Times Bestseller.
The third list is composed of the other period dramas that Downton’s creator Julian Fellowes has been involved with (as of January 2018).
Period Dramas with the Downton Abbey cast
Below is the list of the costume dramas, period television movies and mini-series in which the stars of Downton Abbey have appeared – from bit parts to starring roles. There are some historical docudramas and period comedies in here as well. When possible, the titles are linked to where you can stream the costume drama online, watch trailers, and/or buy the DVD. You’ll find some rare, obscure, out-of-print titles here too.
Some of these films were only released in the UK, so you’ll need a good, affordable multi-region DVD player like this one to watch the PAL/Region 2 discs. It is guaranteed to play both PAL/NTSC DVDs from any Country or any Region 0-6. For any period drama lover who is building a DVD library of their own, it seems well worth the $40.00 or so to be able to watch all these gems.
Hugh Bonneville (Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham)
Mansfield Park (1999), Madame Bovary (2000) BBC, The Cazalets (2001), Doctor Zhivago (2002), Daniel Deronda (2002), Stage Beauty (2004), Beau Brummell: This Charming Man (2006), Miss Austen Regrets (2008), Lost in Austen (2008), From Time to Time (2009), The Hollow Crown: The Wars of the Roses (2016), Viceroy’s House (2017), Breathe (2017)
Elizabeth McGovern (Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham)
Ragtime (1981), The Wings of the Dove (1997), The Scarlet Pimpernel (1999), The House of Mirth (2000), Daphne (2007) BBC, A Room with a View (2007), Cheerful Weather for the Wedding (2012), Woman in Gold (2015), The Chaperone (2018)
Maggie Smith (Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham)
Othello (1965), Much Ado About Nothing (1967), Oh! What a Lovely War (1969), Travels with my Aunt (1972), The Millionairess (1972) BBC, Death on the Nile (1978), Evil Under the Sun (1982), The Missionary (1982), A Private Function (1984), A Room with a View (1985), The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne (1987), The Secret Garden (1993), Richard III (1995), Washington Square (1997), Tea with Mussolini (1999), The Last September (1999), All the King’s Men (1999) BBC, David Copperfield (1999) BBC, Gosford Park (2001), Ladies in Lavender (2004), Capturing Mary (2007) BBC, Becoming Jane (2007), From Time to Time (2009)
Michelle Dockery (Lady Mary Crawley)
Fingersmith (2005) BBC, The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler (2009), Return to Cranford (2009) BBC, The Turn of the Screw (2009) BBC, The Hollow Crown (2012) BBC, Anna Karenina (2012), Restless (2012) BBC, Godless (2017)
Dan Stevens (Matthew Crawley)
Frankenstein (2004), The Line of Beauty (2006) BBC, Dracula (2006) BBC, Marple: Nemesis (2007), Sense & Sensibility (2007) BBC, The Turn of the Screw (2009) BBC, Summer in February (2013), Beauty and the Beast (2017), The Man Who Invented Christmas (2017)
Matthew Goode (Henry Talbot)
South from Granada (2003), He Knew He Was Right (2004) BBC, Marple: A Murder is Announced (2005) BBC, My Family and Other Animals (2005) BBC, Copying Beethoven (2006), Brideshead Revisited (2008), Birdsong (2012), Dancing on the Edge (2013), Belle (2013), Death Comes to Pemberley (2013), The Imitation Game (2014), Roots (2016), Allied (2016), The Crown (2017), The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (2018)
Laura Carmichael (Lady Edith Crawley)
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011), Madame Bovary (2014), A United Kingdom (2016), Man in an Orange Shirt (2017)
Penelope Wilton (Isobel Crawley)
Country Matters (1972), The French Lieutenant’s Woman (1981), Othello (1981) BBC, King Lear (1982) BBC, The Monocled Mutineer (1986) BBC, Carrington (1995), Wives and Daughters (1999) BBC, Victoria & Albert (2001) BBC, Pride & Prejudice (2005), Marple: They Do it with Mirrors (2009), South Riding (2011) BBC, Belle (2013), Zoo (2018), The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (2018)
Samantha Bond (Lady Rosamund Painswick)
Mansfield Park (1983) BBC, Miss Marple: A Murder Is Announced (1985) BBC, Rumpole of the Bailey (1987), The Ginger Tree (1989), Emma (1996), Fanny Hill (2007), Lark Rise to Candleford (2009) BBC, The Queen (2009), Agatha Christie’s Marple: Why Didn’t They Ask Evans (2009), Home Fires (2015), Murdoch Mysteries (2016)
Jessica Brown Findlay (Lady Sybil Crawley)
Labyrinth (2012), Jamaica Inn (2014), The Outcast (2015), Victor Frankenstein (2015), Harlots (2017), The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (2018)
Lily James (Lady Rose MacClare)
Cinderella (2015), Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (2016), War & Peace (2016), The Exception (2016), Darkest Hour (2017), The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (2018)
Allen Leech (Tom Branson)
Benedict Arnold: A Question of Honor (2003), Rome (2007), From Time to Time (2009), The Tudors (2010), The Imitation Game (2014)
David Robb (Dr. Clarkson)
Villette (1970), Conduct Unbecoming (1975), The Glittering Prizes (1976) BBC, Romeo and Juliet (1976), I, Claudius (1976) BBC, The Cedar Tree (1976), The Standard (1977), The Four Feathers (1978), Wuthering Heights (1978) BBC, The Legend of King Arthur (1979), Hamlet, Prince of Denmark (1980), The Flame Trees of Thika (1981), Ivanhoe (1982), Morte d’Arthur (1984), The Last Days of Pompeii (1984), Wallenberg: A Hero’s Story (1985), First Among Equals (1986), The Deceivers (1988), Parnell & the Englishwoman (1988), Behind the Lines (1997), Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007), Roman Mysteries (2007), Sharpe’s Peril (2008) BBC, The Young Victoria (2009), From Time to Time (2009), Garrow’s Law (2009), Wolf Hall (2015), Against the Law (2017)
Harry Hadden-Paton (Bertie Pelham)
The Hollow Crown (2012) BBC, Versailles (2017), The Crown (2017)
Jim Carter (Charles Carson)
A Private Function (1984), The Monocled Mutineer (1986), Lost Empires (1986), A Month in the Country (1987), The Tenth Man (1988), Christabel (1988) BBC, The Rainbow (1989), Precious Bane (1989), The Fool (1990), Stalin (1992), A Dangerous Man: Lawrence After Arabia (1992), Lipstick on Your Collar (1993), The Advocate (1993), The Madness of King George (1994), Richard III (1995), A Merry War (1997), Ain’t Misbehavin’ (1997), Shakespeare in Love (1998), Legionnaire (1998), The Scarlet Pimpernel (2000), The Way We Live Now (2001) BBC, Hornblower: Duty (2003), Helen of Troy (2003), Bright Young Things (2003), Pompeii: The Last Day (2003), Von Trapped! (2004), Modigliani (2004), The Secret Life of Mrs. Beeton (2006), Burlesque Fairytales (2009), Creation (2009), Cranford (2007) BBC, My Week with Marilyn (2011), Return to Cranford (2009) BBC, Knightfall (2017), King Lear (2018)
Phyllis Logan (Mrs. Hughes)
The White Bird Passes (1980), Another Time, Another Place (1983), The Doctor and the Devils (1985), The Inquiry (1987), The Kitchen Toto (1987), And a Nightingale Sang (1989), Silent Cries (1993), All the King’s Men (1999) BBC, Uncovering the Real Dickens (2002) BBC, The Real Jane Austen (2002) BBC, Poirot: Sad Cypress (2003), The Royal (2008)
Brendan Coyle (John Bates)
The Glass Virgin (1995), Rebel Heart (2001) BBC, North & South (2004) BBC, Allegiance (2005), Lark Rise to Candleford (2008), The Raven (2012), Murdoch Mysteries: A Merry Murdoch Christmas (2015), The Rising: 1916 (2016), Mary Queen of Scots (2018)
Joanne Froggatt (Anna Bates)
Lorna Doone (2000) BBC, Island at War (2004), Robin Hood (2009) BBC, Dark Angel (2016), Mary Shelley (2018)
Lesley Nicol (Mrs. Patmore)
Black Adder II (1986) BBC, The Lion, the Witch, & the Wardrobe (1988) BBC, The Grand (1998), Marple: A Murder is Announced(2005) BBC
Sophie McShera (Daisy Mason)
Cinderella (2015), Galavant (2015), Timewasters (2017)
Kevin Doyle (Joseph Molesley)
Shine on Harvey Moon (1984), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1996), The Libertine (2004), Foyle’s War (2007), The Royal (2007), Good (2008), The Tudors (2009), Room at the Top (2012), The Crimson Field (2014), A.D. The Bible Continues (2015)
Raquel Cassidy (Baxter)
Land Girls (2011), Cliffs of Freedom (2018)
Douglas Reith (Lord Merton)
An Englishman Abroad (1983) BBC, The Prince and the Pauper (1996), Elizabeth I (2005), The Queen’s Sister (2005), Ancient Rome: The Rise and Fall of an Empire (2006) BBC, Enid (2009), W.E. (2011), Outlander (2017)
Paul Copley (Mr. Mason)
Days of Hope (1975) BBC, A Bridge Too Far (1977), Secret Army (1977) BBC, Treasure Island (1977), A Christmas Carol (1977), Zulu Dawn (1979), Tenko (1984) BBC, Silas Marner (1985) BBC, War and Remembrance (1988), Wonderworks: Young Charlie Chaplin (1989), The Remains of the Day (1993), Jude (1996), Horatio Hornblower: The Duel (1998), Horatio Hornblower: The Fire Ship (1998), Horatio Hornblower: The Duchess and the Devil (1999), Horatio Hornblower: The Wrong War (1999), Hornblower: Mutiny / Retribution (2001), Hornblower: Duty (2003), Born and Bred (2004) BBC, The Shadow in the North (2007), The Royal (2011), The Sound of Music Live (2015), Call the Midwife (2016)
Siobhan Finneran (Sarah O’Brien)
The Royal (2006)
Rob James-Collier (Thomas Barrow)
Sorry, he hasn’t been in any other period dramas as far as I know!
Downton Abbey Cast Connections
There are some period dramas in which two or more stars of Downton have appeared together; or which were written by Julian Fellowes and have one or more Downton characters cast in their roles, as of April 2016. Click on the title of the film to see its availability on DVD, click Watch the TRAILER or Available to STREAM to watch the movie online.
For these films see the Willow and Thatch Downton Abbey Cast Connections info-graphic below, and read the key below for a full explanation. This was fun – and maddening – to figure out; if you like it, please share it! Click to enlarge.
Willow and Thatch Downton Abbey Cast Connections Key
Reading from top, clockwise
From Time to Time (2009): From Time To Time is a haunting ghost story spanning two world, two centuries apart. With World War II finally coming to an end and his Father still missing in action, Tolly is sent to stay with his estranged Grandmother in their ancestral home. There he discovers he can mysteriously travel between the two worlds and begins an adventure that unlocks family secrets laid buried for generations. He must solve these mysteries to safeguard their future and reunite the family once again.
The Downton Connection: With Hugh Bonneville (Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham), Maggie Smith (Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham), David Robb (Dr. Clarkson), and Allen Leech (Tom Branson), brought to us by Julian Fellowes.
All the King’s Men (1999) BBC: The true story of England’s vanished regiment is revealed. It is one of the most compelling and curious legends of the First World War. Led by Captain Frank Beck (David Jason), a favorite agent of King George V, Sandringham Company was comprised entirely of servants, grooms and gardeners from the King’s Norfolk Estate. On August 12, 1915 the unit marched into battle against the Turks in Gallipoli and simply vanished, never to be heard from again. Queen Alexandra, played by Dame Maggie Smith (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, A Room with a View), was the driving force behind the investigation into the real fate of the battalion. But despite her extensive inquires, no trace of the men was ever discovered. Now, All the King’s Men brings the details of what really happened in 1915 to the screen for the first time. It tells the story of these amateur soldiers, the idyllic life and loves they left behind in the quintessential English country estate and the horrors of an ill-prepared campaign to which they were subjected.
Shown on PBS Masterpiece Theatre.
The Downton Connection: With Maggie Smith (Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham) and Phyllis Logan (Mrs. Hughes).
A Private Function (1984): In the summer of 1947, Britain prepares to commemorate the wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Phillip. To get around food-rationing laws, Dr. Charles Swaby (Denholm Elliott), accountant Henry Allardyce (Richard Griffiths) and solicitor Frank Lockwood (John Normington) are fattening a black-market pig for the big day. Egged on by his wife (Maggie Smith), meek Gilbert Chilvers (Michael Palin) steals the swine, but the couple must conceal it from inspector Morris Wormold (Bill Paterson).
The Downton Connection: With Maggie Smith (Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham), and Jim Carter (Charles Carson).
The Young Victoria (2009): As the only legitimate heir of England’s King William, teenage Victoria (Emily Blunt) gets caught up in the political machinations of her own family. Victoria’s mother (Miranda Richardson) wants her to sign a regency order, while her Belgian uncle schemes to arrange a marriage between the future monarch and Prince Albert (Rupert Friend), the man who will become the love of her life.
The Downton Connection: With David Robb (Dr. Clarkson), and brought to us by Julian Fellowes.
Hornblower: Duty (2003): Dashing Ioan Gruffud stars as dashing Horatio Hornblower, unparalleled British naval hero, in this delightful episode from the A&E series. In Duty, Hornblower is filled with trepidation on what should be the most important day of his life. Admiral Pellew gives him little time to ponder his fate and sends him off to France in search of a missing ship.
The Downton Connection: With Jim Carter (Charles Carson) and Paul Copley (Mr. Mason).
The Hollow Crown (2012) BBC: Contemporary adaptation of William Shakespeare’s tales, Richard II, Henry IV parts 1 & 2, and Henry V. The plays chronicle a continuous period in British history from the end of the 14th century to the aftermath of the Battle of Agincourt in 1415. Together, the plays comprise a story with recurring themes of power struggles, redemption, family conflict and betrayal.
The Downton Connection: With Michelle Dockery (Lady Mary Crawley) and Harry Hadden-Paton (Bertie Pelham). Michelle Dockery plays Kate Percy in both episodes of Henry IV, Harry Hadden-Paton plays Sir Henry Green in one episode (Richard II).
Return to Cranford (2009) BBC: Change is racing towards the small, close-knit village of Cranford like a steam train — quite literally. As the railroad continues to encroach at the edge of town, Cranford strives to open to new realities, from surprising romances to unexpected losses and even waltzing! Matty Jenkyns (Judi Dench), Miss Pole (Imelda Staunton), Mrs. Forrester (Julia McKenzie) and Mrs. Jamieson (Barbara Flynn) are back with other distinguished residents of Cranford, along with one well-outfitted and mischievous cow. When a shocking event seemingly derails Cranford from its innocence, can a bit of magic and faith in enduring friendships save the day? Based on the stories of Victorian-era writer Elizabeth Gaskell, Return to Cranford also features Tom Hiddleston (Wallander) and Tim Curry.
Shown on PBS Masterpiece Theatre.
The Downton Connection: With Jim Carter (Charles Carson) who was also in Cranford (2007) and Michelle Dockery (Lady Mary Crawley).
The Turn of the Screw (2009) BBC: Released in the US as Ghost Story: The Turn of the Screw. British television film based on Henry James’s 1898 ghost story of the same name. Commissioned and produced by the BBC, it was first broadcast on 30 December 2009, on BBC One. The novella was adapted for the screen by Sandy Welch, and the film was directed by Tim Fywell. Although generally true to the tone and story of James’s work, the film is set in the 1920s—in contrast to the original 1840s setting—and accentuates sexual elements that some theorists have identified in the novella. The film’s story is told in flashbacks during consultations between the institutionalised Ann (Michelle Dockery) and Dr Fisher (Dan Stevens). Ann tells how she was hired by an aristocrat (Mark Umbers) to care for the orphans Miles (Josef Lindsay) and Flora (Eva Sayer). She is met at the children’s home, Bly, by Mrs Grose (Sue Johnston), the housekeeper. Ann soon begins to see unknown figures around the manor, and seeks an explanation.
The Downton Connection: With Michelle Dockery (Lady Mary Crawley) and Dan Stevens (Matthew Crawley).
Lark Rise to Candleford (2009) BBC: In this adaptation of Flora Thompson’s memoir of her childhood, Laura Timmins leaves the Oxfordshire hamlet of Lark Rise for a job in the market town of Candleford, where her mother’s cousin, effervescent Dorcas Lane, is postmistress. Farm workers, craftsmen and gentry make up the community of families, rivals, friends and neighbours. Throughout the series, residents of both places interact at the best and the worst of times, including a measles epidemic that threatens the harvest and the arrival of new Post Office Inspector Mr. Rushton.
The Downton Connection: With Samantha Bond (Lady Rosamund Painswick), and Brendan Coyle (John Bates).
Cinderella (2015): After her father unexpectedly dies, young Ella (Lily James) finds herself at the mercy of her cruel stepmother (Cate Blanchett) and stepsisters, who reduce her to scullery maid. Despite her circumstances, she refuses to despair. An invitation to a palace ball gives Ella hope that she might reunite with the dashing stranger (Richard Madden) she met in the woods, but her stepmother prevents her from going. Help arrives in the form of a kindly beggar woman who has a magic touch for ordinary things.
The Downton Connection: With Lily James (Lady Rose MacClare) and Sophie McShera (Daisy Mason).
Belle (2013): Belle is inspired by the true story of Dido Elizabeth Belle (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), the illegitimate mixed race daughter of a Royal Navy Captain. Raised by her aristocratic great-uncle Lord Mansfield (Tom Wilkinson) and his wife (Emily Watson), Belle’s lineage affords her certain privileges, yet the color of her skin prevents her from fully participating in the traditions of her social standing. Left to wonder if she will ever find love, Belle falls for an idealistic young vicar’s son bent on change who, with her help, shapes Lord Mansfield’s role as Lord Chief Justice to end slavery in England.
The Downton Connection: With Matthew Goode (Henry Talbot) and Penelope Wilton (Isobel Crawley).
Marple: A Murder Is Announced (2005) BBC: Proper, demure, sharp as a tack, Agatha Christie’s spinster sleuth is brilliantly portrayed in Marple with lavish post-WWII period detail and stellar supporting casts. In Marple, A Murder is Announced, A local advertisement announcing the date and location of a forthcoming murder sets a small village abuzz with anxious speculation. Everyone assumes it’s a hoax. Nonetheless, a crowd is gathered at Letitia Blacklock’s cottage at the appointed time when the lights go out and a gunman fires into the room. When the lights go on, one person is dead and another wounded. Miss Marple, visiting an old friend in the village, joins the investigation.
The Downton Connection: With Matthew Goode (Henry Talbot) and Lesley Nicol (Mrs. Patmore).
Gosford Park (2001): Robert Altman, one of America’s most distinctive filmmakers, journeys to England for the first time to create a unique film mosaic with an outstanding ensemble cast. Set in the 1930’s, “Gosford Park” brings a group of pretentious rich and famous together for a weekend of relaxation at a hunting resort. But when a murder occurs, each one of these interesting characters becomes a suspect.
The Downton Connection: With Maggie Smith (Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham), brought to us by Julian Fellowes.
The Imitation Game (2014): During the winter of 1952, British authorities entered the home of mathematician, cryptanalyst and war hero Alan Turing (Benedict Cumberbatch) to investigate a reported burglary. They instead ended up arresting Turing himself on charges of ‘gross indecency’, an accusation that would lead to his devastating conviction for the criminal offense of homosexuality – little did officials know, they were actually incriminating the pioneer of modern-day computing. Famously leading a motley group of scholars, linguists, chess champions and intelligence officers, he was credited with cracking the so-called unbreakable codes of Germany’s World War II Enigma machine. An intense and haunting portrayal of a brilliant, complicated man, The Imitation Game a genius who under nail-biting pressure helped to shorten the war and, in turn, save thousands of lives.
The Downton Connection: With Matthew Goode (Henry Talbot) and Allen Leech (Tom Branson).
Also, Siobhan Finneran (Sarah O’Brien) was in The Royal (2006) Season 4, Kevin Doyle (Joseph Molesley) was in The Royal (2007) Season 5, Phyllis Logan (Mrs. Hughes) was in The Royal (2008) Season 6, and Paul Copley (Mr. Mason) was in The Royal (2011) Season 8. It doesn’t appear that The Royal was ever aired or released on DVD in the US. The Royal didn’t make it to the Downton Abbey Cast Connections info-graphic, because none of the cast members appeared in the same episodes or even seasons.
Additionally, Matthew Goode and Michelle Dockery both appeared in The Sense of an Ending, which has flashbacks to the 1960s.
Harry Hadden-Paton and Matthew Goode both appear in The Crown.
And now we have something else to look forward to: Lily James, Penelope Wilton, Jessica Brown Findlay and Matthew Goode will all appear in The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (2018). In the upcoming period drama, a writer forms an unexpected bond with the residents of Guernsey Island in the aftermath of World War II when she decides to write a book about their experiences during the war. It’s based on the New York Times Bestseller of the same name, written by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows.
Period Films & Television mini-series written / produced by Fellowes
Written and created by Academy Award-winner Julian Fellowes, Downton Abbey follows the Crawley family and their servants from pre-war England through the storms of World War I, and into the social upheaval of England in the Roaring 1920s as the lives of its inhabitants are shaped by romance, heartbreak, scandals, rumors, blackmail, and betrayal. Because you like the story-lines in Downton written by Julian Fellowes, which filled the television mini-series with the drama of the family dynamics, class issues and romance, here is a list of other costume dramas he penned or produced:
Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson (1980): Fellowes was writer of the episode The Case of the Other Ghost: A murder was committed at the Kindesley house which leads to a client asking Holmes and Watson to come to the house, but then the client is stabbed. Unfortunately, the murders will continue…unless Holmes can solve the case.
Little Sir Nicholas (1990) BBC: Fellowes was one of the writers of the TV series. Based on the novel by CA Jones, Little Sir Nicholas is a 30 minute per episode mini-series set in the Victorian era about heritage, identity and family rivalries. Fellowes also played the role of Apted in 3 episodes.
Little Lord Fauntleroy (1995) BBC: Fellowes was writer of the TV mini-series. Plucked from poverty-stricken 1879 New York, kind and compassionate Cedric Errol (Michael Benz) is summoned by his hard-hearted grandfather (George Baker) to “live among the swells” in England as Lord Fauntleroy, the future Earl of Dorincourt. This engaging feature-length version of the lavish BBC miniseries captures all the heart of Francis Hodgson Burnett’s classic story of redemption that has captivated generations of readers.
The Prince and the Pauper (1996) BBC: Fellowes was writer and producer of the TV mini-series. A BBC adaptation of the Mark Twain classic expands many of the novel’s subplots while remaining true to the story of the young thief who swaps places with the heir to England’s throne.
Gosford Park (2001): Written by Fellowes. Fellowes was associate producer. Robert Altman, one of America’s most distinctive filmmakers, journeys to England for the first time to create a unique film mosaic with an outstanding ensemble cast. Set in the 1930’s, “Gosford Park” brings a group of pretentious rich and famous together for a weekend of relaxation at a hunting resort. But when a murder occurs, each one of these interesting characters becomes a suspect.
Vanity Fair (2004): Screenplay by Fellowes. Born to poor parents, Becky Sharp (Reese Witherspoon) has always aspired to be a member of England’s upper classes. Leaving her boarding school and best friend, Amelia (Romola Garai), behind, Becky associates herself with the Crawleys, eventually falling in love with their son, Rawdon (James Purefoy). The marriage is happy at first, but deteriorates when Rawdon’s fortune dwindles. Becky is then supported by the lecherous Marquess of Steyne (Gabriel Byrne), whose motives are less than pure.
The Young Victoria (2009): Written by Fellowes. As the only legitimate heir of England’s King William, teenage Victoria (Emily Blunt) gets caught up in the political machinations of her own family. Victoria’s mother (Miranda Richardson) wants her to sign a regency order, while her Belgian uncle schemes to arrange a marriage between the future monarch and Prince Albert (Rupert Friend), the man who will become the love of her life.
From Time to Time (2009): Adaptation by Fellowes. Produced and directed by Fellowes. From Time To Time is a haunting ghost story spanning two world, two centuries apart. With World War II finally coming to an end and his Father still missing in action, Tolly is sent to stay with his estranged Grandmother in their ancestral home. There he discovers he can mysteriously travel between the two worlds and begins an adventure that unlocks family secrets laid buried for generations. He must solve these mysteries to safeguard their future and reunite the family once again.
Titanic (2012): TV mini-series written by Fellowes. In 1912, 1,316 passengers, from poor emigrants looking for new life in America to some of the world’s wealthiest people, boarded the RMS Titanic for her maiden voyage across the Atlantic.
The tragic events that followed have captured imaginations for a century, not the least of which is that of award-winning writer Julian Fellowes (“Downton Abbey”), who has brought the story to life again in this miniseries. Events unfold through the points of view of those aboard, from first class to steerage, as the early jubilant mood turns dark and the passengers are shaken from their private worlds of secrets, love and resentment. The individual stories come together in a playing field leveled by disaster as everyone struggles to survive, leaving the lives of those involved forever changed.
Romeo & Juliet (2013): Screenplay by Fellowes. Produced by Fellowes. In Verona, bad blood between the Montague and Capulet families leads to much bitterness. Despite the hostility, Romeo Montague (Douglas Booth) manages an invitation to a masked ball at the estate of the Capulets and meets Juliet (Hailee Steinfeld), their daughter. The two are instantly smitten but dismayed to learn that their families are enemies. Romeo and Juliet figure out a way to pursue their romance, but Romeo is banished for his part in the slaying of Juliet’s cousin, Tybalt.
Doctor Thorne (2016): Written and produced by Fellowes. Tom Hollander (Rev, A Poet In New York, Pirates of the Caribbean), stars as Dr Thomas Thorne, who lives in the village of Greshamsbury in Barsetshire, with his young niece, Mary (Stefanie Martini), a girl blessed with every gift except money.
Mary Thorne has grown up alongside the Gresham family, whose house, Greshamsbury Park, and status dominate the county. However Francis Gresham Senior has frittered away the family fortune and now his wife, Lady Arabella Gresham, their daughters Augusta and Beatrice, and their handsome brother Frank face losing their home. When the terrifying Lady Arabella Gresham discovers that her darling son, Frank, has fallen in love with Dr Thorne’s penniless niece, she is horrified. Her husband Gresham is only being kept afloat by very favourable loans that Dr Thorne has secured from a railway millionaire, Sir Roger Scatcherd. However, Sir Roger is drinking himself into an early grave and the family’s financial future lies with his unreliable son Louis Scatcherd.
Lady Arabella believes it is her son’s duty to make a rich marriage to save the family estate and launches a campaign to secure her son an heiress for a bride, aided by her scheming sister-in-law, the very grand Countess De Courcy.
Crooked House (2017): Screenplay by Fellowes. In Agatha Christie’s most twisted tale, a spy-turned-private-detective is lured by his former lover to catch her grandfather’s murderer before Scotland Yard exposes dark family secrets.
The Chaperone (2018): Screenplay by Fellowes. In the early 1920s, a Kansas woman finds her life forever changed when she accompanies a young dancer on her fame-seeking journey to New York City.
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If you enjoyed this post, you’ll want to wander over to The Period Films List: the best costume dramas, heritage films, documentaries, period dramas, romances, historical reality series and period inspired movies, sorted by era and theme. You may also be interested in More Manners of Downton Abbey. Be sure to see The Post-Downton Abbey Survival Guide.
And please share this post – it took ever so long to research, write and make lovely.
Downton Abbey is a British period drama television series created by Julian Fellowes. The series, set in the fictional Yorkshire country estate of Downton Abbey, depicts the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family and their servants in the Edwardian and post-Edwardian eras (1912 and 1925) —with the great events in history having an effect on their lives and on the British social hierarchy.
Short descriptions of the films are either the official synopses, and/or are from Amazon or IMDB.
Jez
June 20, 2022 at 5:58 pm (2 years ago)Ed Speelers was also in Alice Through the Looking Glass (2016) potraying James Harcourt.
Romy
January 10, 2018 at 12:55 pm (7 years ago)Thanks for this interesting article !
I am currently watching “Knightfall” TV show and in the cast there are 3 Downton abbey actors : Jim Carter, Julian Ovenden and Tom Cullen 🙂
Janet
November 30, 2016 at 9:38 am (8 years ago)Maggie Smith also starred in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie.
Willow and Thatch
November 30, 2016 at 9:23 am (8 years ago)Also Nigel Harman who played the evil Mr. Green in DA, played Jason Rudd in Agatha Christie’s Marple, Timmy in Tenko and Sam Braby in Lark Rise to Candleford.
Jen
May 6, 2016 at 9:09 am (9 years ago)You have saved us! My husband and I were suffering severe withdrawal after the end of marvellous Downton Abbey. Just hope I can stream/ download some of the suggested shows in Australia?
Tomiko
April 21, 2016 at 1:22 am (9 years ago)Spratt was also in Gosford Park.
Linda Heflin
April 11, 2016 at 5:22 pm (9 years ago)Thank You so very much for this list. It is wonderful and must have taken a great deal of work.
Willow and Thatch
April 11, 2016 at 5:47 pm (9 years ago)Linda, you are very welcome. Indeed it took a long time and lots of research, but once I started, I couldn’t stop! I’m very happy that you like it.
sarah cooke
April 11, 2016 at 1:22 pm (9 years ago)Hugh Bonneville also had a bit part in Da Vincis Demons. The first episode, he was on for less than 10 minutes.
Willow and Thatch
April 11, 2016 at 2:57 pm (9 years ago)Thanks so much Sarah – looks as if that episode was named The Hanged Man (2013) and he played Duke of Milan (uncredited).