Are you a Downton fan? If so, then you know Sunday night is the season premiere of season 6 – the final season of Downton Abbey. I’m a new Downton fan. As you remember, I was laid up for six weeks this summer so I spent quite a bit of time in front of the television. A lot of which was very boring – but not all of it, thanks to Downton Abbey. My friend, Rita Farro, encouraged me to watch all five seasons, so I did. And I loved it!
Recently, I jumped at the chance to see the season premiere of season 6 sponsored by KERA and AT&T Performing Arts Center at the Winspear Opera House in Dallas. I received an email from the opera house promoting the event and thought it would be a fun date night during the holiday season with my husband. Tickets were free but you had to have a ticket to attend.
So off we went to dinner and then to the showing. Ticket holders were encouraged to come in costume (we did not) – it was great fun to see how many people did. There were a splattering of beautiful hats, long flowing gowns and several men in tuxedos. We sat next to three couples all dressed to the max. The men wore tails and white gloves!
I chatted with three beautiful women for a brief moment while admiring their handiwork.
But I think my favorite was the maid! I only spotted two people dressed like the servants and this lovely woman took the cake. She was flattered when I asked for her photo. 
Of course, the lighting was terrible – after all the attendees were not on the stage. So please forgive the poorly lit photos.
I will not spoil Sunday night’s fun by telling you what you’ll see in episode 1. But tune in – it’s going to be a terrific season! You can watch a trailer here on PBS. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/downtonabbey/
And if you want to catch up on past episodes, check your local PBS station – many are running a Downton marathon this weekend.
Wouldn’t it be fun to stitch up some Downton-style embroidery? This week’s blog sponsor, Sew Timeless, has a treasure trove of heirloom embroidery designs. Tell us who your favorite Downton character is and you could win one of four $25.00 gift vouchers from Sew Timeless. Leave your comment and we’ll randomly select four winners next week.
50 COMMENTS
Ruth Peterson
9 years agoI have been a fan from when the 1st show aired. I miss the characters that have left, and hope Lady Mary finds love again.
Carolyn Goodworth
9 years agoI love Carson. He is such a stabilizing force in the series. I have been a fan since Season 2. I recently binged-watched when I had mouth surgery. I am so ready for Season 6. The costuming rocks my boat!
Phyllis Hiles
9 years agoI love Downton Abby and looking forward to new season. So sad that it’s the last season.
Delores Angus
9 years agoHaven’t missed an episode! Love the Grande Dame but must say every character is superbly played and supports the story. Will miss the series but I’m sure PBS will come through in future as always.
Nancy Weber
9 years agoMy favorite is Lady Edith. I really want her to find love and happiness.
Joanne Dillon
9 years agoHmmm….I was thinking you could come up with Downton Abbey embroidery designs…..wouldn’t that just be fun!! I started watching at Season 3 when I was laid up with foot surgery – caught up on all seasons and anxiously await new season…sorry it is coming to a close. Love the cast, love the clothes, love the setting. Now what are we going to do???
Lorna
9 years agoI really like Violet Crawley (The Dowager Countess of Grantham), played by Maggie Smith. Some of her comments are so pithy. My husband and I watch this show together and both enjoy this character. Wishing everyone a safe and Happy New Year!!!!
Lynn
9 years agoI like Daisy for realizing there is a world outside the kitchen and she has the ability to improve her circumstances.
Catherine Stiele
9 years agoI have enjoyed Anna, my heart aches for her during some of her circumstances, but her marriage will bring her much happiness
Sandi Cunningham
9 years agoI always wanted to watch this show, but my cable didn’t provide it. For Christmas, my daughter (ever the little quiet mouse listening to my comments) got me Seasons 1-5. Binge watching coming up!
shelley
9 years agoI love Mrs. Patmore. She has grit and common sense.
a malowany
9 years agoLady Mary is my fav. Love the show and hate to know that it will be ending after this season.
Betsy Freeman
9 years agoI love them all in their own special way! I am so going to miss the show at the end of this season. I can’t wait until Sunday!
Karen
9 years agoI have not watched the show. I have no free time to watch TV. I am sure I would be able to relate to the maid.
Cindy Amend
9 years agoCarson would be my favorite.
Cindy J
9 years agoOh my, I don’t think I could pick a favorite! Each character is so unique I like something about them all! So sad to see the series ending….
Fran Rushing
9 years agoMy favorite character is Mrs. Patmore, because she reminds me of my Grandma, who was also a cook by profession and love. And they are both “characters”, spilling forth wonderful words of advice, sometimes as sharp as their cooking knives, but mostly seasoned with the sweet sugar of truth.
Susanne Wiora
9 years agoMy favorite character has to be the Dowager Countess, Maggie Smith. I just love when she comes on the screen – her acting is superb and her lines are priceless!
Nancy Reester
9 years agoI enjoy Lady Edith. She always gives us the unexpected. She seems like a second class citizen in her family but always rises above their expectations and follows her own path.
Francine Meyer-Drasutis
9 years agoI haven’t watch it before. I think k I’ll go rent the seasons and catch up.
Brenda Melahn
9 years agoDefinitely Lady Mary … she’s tough, strong, beautiful, and at times mean — but I love her through and through!!
Trudy McVeigh
9 years agoLady Edith is my favorite.
Jackie
9 years agoI love The Dowager Countess of Grantham, love the show and can’t wait to see Season 6.
Elizabeth C
9 years agoI love Maggie Smith’s character. She has the best one liners ever.
Sandy P
9 years agoI love them all the show wouldn’t be the same, hated it when Mary’s husband died. I have watched them all and can’t wait for the new season but very sad this will be the end.
Betsy Milburn
9 years agoMy favorite character is Carson. Great series. I have seasons 1-3 on DVD. Asked for 4 and 5 for Christmas but Santa did not leave it under our tree. Guess I will take the $$$ he left and buy the two seasons. Love the costumes from the era. Happy New Year!
Diane Stump
9 years agoI haven’t watched the series yet. My husband gave me the first three seasons dvd set which I plan to watch soon. I would love to win the designs!
Miriam K
9 years agoMy favorite character has to be the Dowager Countess. Just love her lines in the show. Maggie Smith’s acting is wonderful to watch.
Valerie Gwara
9 years agoI love Lady Violet. She has spunk
Terry Madison
9 years agoWhat a shame that these quality shows end. I have been a sewing teacher for years and the clothes on this series are so exquisitely done, many times I will put it on pause just to take a better look. Maggie Smith so beautifully portrays her character, and her dry wit and timing is amazing. What a wonderful show, so sad to see it go.
Beth Keenan
9 years agoMy husband and I love the witty statements of Lady Violet. Although, I love Mrs Hughes’ strong and caring nature!
Patti
9 years agoI don’t really have a favorite because I’ve never seen the program. Sorry! I’ll have to check it out sometime.
Terry senko
9 years agoSome of you can laugh at me (with good reason ;-D) but Isis has always been my favorite character. I bawled like a baby when she was killed off in season 5. Of the human characters, Violet, the Dowager Countess, is my favorite. What a marvelous job Maggie Smith does portraying her!
Marjorie Paul
9 years agoI love Violet, the Dowager Countess. We laugh at her terrifically dry humor! Looking forward to the final season.
Kelly Sas
9 years agoI’m going to be heart broken when the show ends. I love Mrs Patmore. She has lived a hard life but continues to push on, has a heart of gold and yet I wouldn’t want to cross her. I hope something good happens to her this season.
Norma Jean McDarmont
9 years agoAll the characters are my favorite, but I would probably pick Edith as my very favorite. Mary can be so ugly to her yet she seems to keep from saying anything. If only Mary knew all her secrets.
Nancy Grove
9 years agoMy favorite is Violet. Her wit is so refreshing when she puts someone in their place without vulgarity.
Laurene Shewan
9 years agoV – very proper
I – immensely well dressed
O – one with her character
L – loves the finer things and her family
E – enjoys keeping everyone on their toes
T – tough love
Barb
9 years agoI like Anna. Her life has its ups and downs, but she has the determination to not let it get her down. She has hidden strength and loads of integrity.
Lois Williams
9 years agoI have watched Downton since the beginning and really love the show. If I have to pick a favorite character it would be the dowager countess. Maggie Smith plays her so well. Carson would be my second favorite, but I really like them all.
venita abel
9 years agoIt would have to be the dowager mother.
Carol
9 years agoMaggie Smith plays the Dowager Countess so perfectly, and I love her! I root for Anna, however, and hope everything works out for her. Can hardly wait to watch Season 6.
Rosalie sharps
9 years agoI think Mary is my favorite character on Downton Abbey…she is a very strong forward thinking woman!
Gina Piazza
9 years agoWow…no way can I choose a favorite….just love them all, and how they all interact. I will miss this show very much! What a unique time and place in the world!
Kati
9 years agoI love the costumes that people made in your photos. I haven’t seen the series.
Simone
9 years agoI love Mrs Patmore and Edith. I really want both to find happiness!
Clem
9 years agoI love all the characters….someone suggested embroidery designs from the show……FANTASTIC idea….would it e copyrighted? I am not sure how….period clothes cannot be, can they?
Bruce
8 years agoGreat post! Thanks for sharing.
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Millenimmub
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Luci
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