Masterpiece Theatre this Sunday

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Airing January 9, 16, 23 & 30, 2011 on PBS Check local listings

The Downton Abbey estate stands a splendid example of Victorian confidence and mettle, its family enduring for generations and its staff a well-oiled machine of propriety. But change is afoot at Downton — change far surpassing the new electric lights and telephone. A crisis of inheritance threatens to displace the resident Crawley family, in spite of the best efforts of the noble and compassionate Earl, Robert Crawley (Hugh Bonneville, Miss Austen Regrets); his American heiress wife, Cora (Elizabeth McGovern); his comically implacable, opinionated mother, Violet (Maggie Smith, David Copperfield); and his beautiful, eldest daughter, Mary, intent on charting her own course. Reluctantly, the family is forced to welcome its heir apparent, the self-made and proudly modern Matthew Crawley (Dan Stevens), himself none too happy about the new arrangements. As Matthew's bristly relationship with Mary begins to crackle with electricity, hope for the future of Downton's dynasty takes shape. But when petty jealousies and ambitions grow among the family and the staff, scheming and secrets — both delicious and dangerous — threaten to derail the scramble to preserve Downton Abbey. Created and written by Oscar-winner Julian Fellowes (Gosford Park), Downton Abbey offers a spot-on portrait of a vanishing way of life.


See Downton Abbey Online
Through March 9th, see full episodes of Downton Abbey online.

Audio Slideshow
Downton Abbey star Romola Garai gossips about her favorite characters and the actors who portray them.

Bachelors of Highbury Quiz
Meet your match from the men in Downton Abbey's world in this exclusive compatibility quiz.

Behind-the-Scenes Video
The cast and crew on what's so attractive about Jane Austen, the richness of this production and casting for this upper-crust soap opera.

Jane Austen House Slideshow
Step inside the English cottage where Austen wrote or revised seven novels.

Reading, Writing and Downton Abbey
Dr. Gillian Dow considers authors that inspired Austen in Downton Abbey, and those who were inspired by it.

Downton Abbey Book Discussion Guide
Get discussion/reflection questions on Jane Austen's Downton Abbey in this guide from the Great Books Foundation.

Jane Austen Collection & Downton Abbey DVDs!
Sign up for a chance to win a grand prize Jane Austen DVD Collection set or first prize Downton Abbey on DVD, and subscribe to the Masterpiece e-Newsletter.