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The 10 Most Scandalous Moments On Downton Abbey

In between the prim and proper ways of the beautiful estate that is Downton Abbey are secrets, lies, scandals and sometimes, even horrible tragedy. There’s more than meets the eyes when it comes to the Granthams, their elite friends and their staff. In between all of the fancy attire, over the top dinners and massive amounts of cleaning to keep the large house neat and tidy, we have some of the most dirty little secrets.
Image of Allyson Koerner
Allyson Koerner
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Published: Sep 18, 2014 12:01 pm

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5) Thomas And Jimmy Caught K-I-S-S-I-N-G

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Thomas might like to expose secrets, but he sure likes to keep his hidden. One in particular? He’s gay.

It’s easy to hate Thomas, but when O’Brien tricks him into thinking footman Jimmy likes him, because Thomas bullied her nephew Alfred? Yep, I felt for him. Ugh. O’Brien could be just as bad as Thomas.

This results in one disastrous and embarrassing outcome for Thomas. With O’Brien telling Jimmy to stay close to Thomas because of his work experience, Thomas is led to believe that Jimmy has eyes for him. One night while Jimmy’s sleeping, Thomas sneaks in his room and kisses him. How did that go? Well, Alfred catches them. Jimmy wants Thomas fired, then decides it’s best to just let it all go. Alfred calls the police on Thomas. Robert fixes the problem, and all goes back to “normal.”

Basically, O’Brien outs Thomas and makes him look like a fool. Mr. Carson even goes as far as to call him “foul.” In what is probably one of the best lines delivered by Thomas, he tells Mr. Carson, “I’m not the same as you, but I’m not foul.”

6) Poor Anna

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I think everyone will agree with me here when I say this is the one tragedy I wished never would’ve happen on Downton Abbey. At the beginning of Season 4, Anna is raped and it turned out to be quite the scandal — on and off screen.

While her husband, Mr. Bates, and the others at Downton enjoy a musical performance upstairs from Dame Nellie Melba, Mr. Green (valet to Lord Gillingham) takes advantage of Anna downstairs.

As anyone would, Anna becomes a different person as she struggles with being violated. She confides in Mrs. Hughes, while she hides the disgusting advances of Mr. Green from Mr. Bates. Anna’s attack is slowly revealed throughout the season to Mr. Bates and Lady Mary — and they all deal with it in different ways. The same can be said for viewers.

Anna’s attack caused quite the controversy, with fans in an uproar that such a thing would happen to a beloved character. However, Julian Fellowes, creator of Downton, defended the storyline, as did Joanne Froggatt, who plays Anna.

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Image of Allyson Koerner
Allyson Koerner