7 of Downton Abbey’s most iconic plot twists
Downton Abbey burst onto screens around the world in 2010, seducing audiences with its slick writing (courtesy of writer/creator Julian Fellowes), gorgeous period styling, and its acerbic wit. On top of all that, Fellowes kept us guessing with twists that left many gasping. Here are seven of the most iconic.
1. The post-coital death
What had seemed like a well-written and engrossing period drama kicked into another level in its third episode when Mary was seduced by the Turkish ambassador, Mr Pamuk. While the two are in bed, Pamuk suffers a fatal heart attack, and Mary is forced to enlist the help of Anna and her mother to move the body back to his room. This one event had ripples that were felt through both season one and two.
2. Miss O’Brien’s revenge
We spent three seasons despising Cora’s lady’s maid, Miss O’Brien – never more so than when, at the end of season one, she places a bar of soap on the floor of the bathroom, intending the currently pregnant Cora to slip. O’Brien did have a moment of redemption when she reconsidered her act, and tried to stop Cora from getting out of the bath, but it was too late. Cora slipped and miscarried, then O’Brien spent the rest of her time at Downton wracked with guilt.
3. The death of Mrs Bates
As the second season was drawing to a close, we watched dumbstruck as Mr Bates’ deceitful estranged wife, Vera, was found dead. Having seemingly killed herself with poison in a (successful) attempt to frame her husband for murder, Vera Bates managed to win her final, evil game.
4. Mr Bates is condemned
By the end of season two, Mr Bates was on trial for his life, and it wasn’t looking good. Audiences watched in horror as the jury got it wrong – convicting the beloved valet and sentencing him to death. To say the season ended on a down note is not inaccurate.
5. Downton’s sweetest daughter dies
Season three was rough on our emotions. Mary and Matthew finally tie the knot, poor Edith is left at the altar, and Tom and Cybil return from Ireland expecting a baby. Then, everything gets decidedly terrible when, after giving birth, Cybil dies of eclampsia. Audiences watched as Dr Clarkson was overruled in favour of medical advice from aristocratic fools. The very best of the Grantham daughters was gone, leaving behind a mourning husband and newborn baby girl.
6. Matthew’s final joy ride
Downton fans were on top of the world at the end of season three’s Christmas special – Mary and Tom’s efforts to modernise the estate had saved Downton from financial ruin, and Mary had given birth to a son – Downton’s new heir. But, as a joyous Matthew drove home from the hospital, he flipped his car and died. Lady Mary, and Downton, was never the same.
7. Anna is raped
This episode sent shockwaves around the world when Anna, Lady Mary’s beloved lady’s maid was raped by the seemingly charming Mr Green – Lord Gillingham’s valet. The show, though focusing a little more than was necessary on Mr Bates’ perspective instead of Anna’s, did not let the incident become a minor plot point – the repercussions were felt widely throughout this and the next season. Joanne Froggatt (Anna) won a Golden Globe for the season, and dedicated the award to all survivors of sexual assault who had reached out to her since seeing the episode.
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