British drama series Downton Abbey closes its grandiose doors for the final time later this year. As the show’s last season begins airing in the UK shortly, ITV has dropped the heart-wrenching teaser trailer to prepare audiences for its last hurrah.
Since its debut, the Brit export continues to curry favor with audiences worldwide thanks to its tales of forbidden romance, societal struggles and the troubles that even affect the very, very rich. The trouble with pushing on for six seasons is that the driving force of its premise – how everyone regardless of status is really the same – has outstayed its welcome a little.
Earlier on, the austerity of war proved a goldmine in channeling that conceit, whereas later seasons the plot felt derivative. And with the bigger names in its cast such as Dan Stevens and Jessica Brown Findlay jumping ship a few seasons back, there’s little steam left in Julian Fellowes’ drama.
What remains for the rest of the Crawleys and their veritable band of servants, maids and chauffeurs, looks to be business as usual: heightened emotions, drawn-out goodbyes and Carson proving that he’s really got a heart after all. If you’re already a fan of the show, trailer or not, you’ll likely be tuning in to find out how this epoch-spanning TV event will end.
Downton Abbey returns for its final bow in the UK on September 20, followed by a US run in January 2016.
