The first trailer for Downton Abbey 3, also known as Downton Abbey: A New Era, has been released, marking the final chapter of the beloved series that first aired in 2010.
Set in 1930, the trailer shows the Crawley family facing new challenges nearly two decades after the Titanic disaster, which famously impacted the family’s fate in earlier seasons. The iconic Downton estate prepares for a grand race day, with loyal butler Mr. Carson (Jim Carter) warmly welcoming guests, situating the story firmly on the established timeline. This film follows the events of the previous installment, Downton Abbey: New Era (set in 1928), which concluded with the death of the family matriarch, the Dowager Countess, played by the late Dame Maggie Smith.
The original cast returns, including Michelle Dockery, Allen Leech, Laura Carmichael, Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, and Harry Hadden-Paton, all appearing in period attire. Additional returning actors include Penelope Wilton, Phyllis Logan, Raquel Cassidy, Brendan Coyle, Joanne Froggatt, Robert James-Collier, Sophie McShera, Leslie Nicol, Kevin Doyle, Paul Coppola, Michael Fox, and Douglas Rees.
Notably, Dominic West reprises his role as a Hollywood star introduced in New Era, and Paul Giamatti returns as the American brother of Lady Cora, a character tied to the infamous Teapot Dome scandal, first seen in the 2013 Christmas special.
The film also welcomes new cast members Jolly Richardson, Alessandro Nivola, Simon Russell Beale, and Arty Froushan, though their roles remain undisclosed.
Fans hoping for further sequels may be disappointed, as series creator Julian Fellowes has expressed reluctance to continue the story beyond the 1930s, citing the decade’s heavy association with the rise of Nazism and its over-explored history. In a 2015 interview with The Wrap, Fellowes remarked that he and co-creator Bob Odenkirk chose 1932 as a “last moment” to depict British upper-class life without delving into Nazi-related topics.
The trailer hints at a definitive ending, with Lady Mary dazzling in a striking red gown and crown, and Lady Edith offering a heartfelt, sisterly smile: “You will make a splash.” It suggests a conclusion that honors the characters’ journeys and satisfies longtime fans.
Downton Abbey: A New Era is directed by Simon Curtis, written by Julian Fellowes, and scheduled for release on September 12, 2025.
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