Meet the cast of Downton Abbey
Who's who in the hit period drama?
Well, Downton Abbey fans, it's time get excited all over again as it's been confirmed that a new third film will be on its way to our screens in September 2025.
While it's a little way off just yet, the new film will see plenty of the familiar faces we know and love from the original drama with the likes of Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern and Michelle Dockery just a few of the names reprising their roles.
It's set to be the final outing for the period drama, with Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes and director Simon Curtis both returning to head up the new film.
As of now, no specific plot points have been revealed but Bonneville (who stars as Robert Crawley) has said the new film will "certainly be the best iteration of the film versions yet". He also said: "It's got the usual tropes, if you like, of thrills and spills in a very Downtown way – which means spilling a tea cup, pretty much!"
So, whether you're watching the series for the first time or just simply want to reacquaint yourself with the stars of Downton before the film's release, read on to find out everything you need to know about the cast.
Downton Abbey cast: Full list of characters and actors in period drama
You can find the complete list of Downton Abbey's cast below, scroll on to find out more about the main characters and where you may have seen the actors before.
- Hugh Bonneville as Robert Crawley
- Jessica Brown Findlay as Sybil Crawley
- Laura Carmichael as Edith Pelham
- Jim Carter as Charles Carson
- Brendan Coyle as John Bates
- Michelle Dockery as Mary Crawley
- Siobhan Finneran as Sarah O'Brien
- Joanne Froggatt as Anna Bates
- Rob James-Collier as Thomas Barrow
- Phyllis Logan as Elsie Hughes
- Elizabeth McGovern as Cora Crawley
- Sophie McShera as Daisy Mason
- Lesley Nicol as Beryl Patmore
- Maggie Smith as Violet Crawley
- Dan Stevens as Matthew Crawley
- Penelope Wilton as Isobel Crawley
- Amy Nuttall as Ethel Parks
- Kevin Doyle as Joseph Molesley
- Allen Leech as Tom Branson
- Matt Milne as Alfred Nugent
- Lily James as Lady Rose MacClare
- David Robb as Dr Richard Clarkson
- Ed Speleers as Jimmy Kent
- Raquel Cassidy as Phyllis Baxter
- Michael Fox as Andy Parker
- Matthew Goode as Henry Talbot
- Harry Hadden-Paton as Bertie Pelham
Hugh Bonneville as Robert Crawley
Who is Robert Crawley? The patriarch of the Crawley family and is the co-owner of Downton Abbey. He is married to Cora and together, they have three daughters: Mary, Edith and Sybil.
What else has Hugh Bonneville been in? Bonneville has most recently been seen on our screens in Douglas Is Cancelled, The Gold and The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin. He is also best known for his roles in W1A and the Paddington films, and is set to star in upcoming festive film, Christmas Karma.
Laura Carmichael as Lady Edith Pelham, nee Crawley
Who is Edith Pelham? Edith is the middle daughter in the Crawley clan and is also known as Marchioness of Hexham. She is married and settled down but also has a major passion to write.
What else has Laura Carmichael been in? Aside from Downton, Carmichael is known for her roles in Marcella, The Spanish Princess and The Secrets She Keeps. She has also starred in films like A United Kingdom, Madame Bovary and Burn Burn Burn.
Jim Carter as Charles Carson
Who is Charles Carson? The former beloved butler at Downton Abbey, Charles handed in his resignation after getting married to Elsie and suffering with palsy. However, he still remains involved in the dramas of the house.
What else has Jim Carter been in? Carter is known for fronting many documentaries but in terms of TV series, is known for starring in Knightfall, Silent Witness and in BBC's Cranford opposite wife Imelda Staunton. He is also known for film roles in A Private Function, Richard III, The Golden Compass and more recently, Wonka.
Brendan Coyle as John Bates
Who is John Bates? The hard-working Bates is one of the most loyal members of the Downton staff, having been Robert's valet for years despite being poorly treated by the rest of the staff on account of his use of his cane.
What else has Brendan Coyle been in? Coyle is known for his role in another period drama, Lark Rise to Candleford, but has also starred in Starlings, Spotless and Requiem. He has more recently starred in ITV's Riches and Finders Keepers.
Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary Talbot
Who is Mary Talbot? The eldest daughter of the Crawley's, Mary has been through quite the personal rollercoaster as she lost her first husband Matthew in a car accident. She has since remarried to Henry and together, they have a daughter, Caroline.
What else has Michelle Dockery been in? Aside from starring in various stage productions, Dockery is known for her roles in Defending Jacob, Anatomy of a Scandal and Godless. She has most recently starred in BBC's This Town and has also starred in films like The Gentlemen, Anna Karenina and Hanna.
Joanne Froggatt as Anna Bates
Who is Anna Bates? The former head housemaid at Downton Abbey, Anna is now the lady's maid to Lady Mary and is married to John.
What else has Joanne Froggatt been in? Froggatt is known for her starring TV roles in Liar, Angela Black, Sherwood and Breathtaking. She has also appeared in Coronation Street, North Shore and Last Light, as well as voiced the long-running role of Wendy in Bob the Builder.
Rob James-Collier as Thomas Barrow
Who is Thomas Barrow? The former butler at Downton, the last we saw of Thomas was him striking up a relationship with film star Guy (Dominic West), resigning and moving to California to be with him.
What else has Rob James-Collier been in? James-Collier is best known for his role as Liam Connor in Coronation Street but has also starred in Ackley Bridge, The Level and Fate: The Winx Saga. He has also more recently starred in The Inheritance and The Long Shadow.
Downton Abbey movie cast: Additional main actors who starred in first and second films
There were also some additional stars included in both the first Downton Abbey film, as well as New Era. Some of the main stars from those films include:
- Imelda Staunton as Lady Maud Bagshaw
- Nathalie Baye as Madame Montmirail
- Hugh Dancy as Jack Barber
- Laura Haddock as Myrna Dalgleish
- Tuppence Middleton as Lucy Branson
- Dominic West as Guy Dexter
- Jonathan Zaccaï as Marquis de Montmirail
Downton Abbey 3 movie cast: Who's returning?
The confirmed cast list for Downton Abbey's third film is as follows:
- Hugh Bonneville as Robert Crawley
- Elizabeth McGovern as Cora Crawley
- Michelle Dockery as Mary Crawley
- Laura Carmichael as Edith Crawley
- Jim Carter as Charles Carson
- Phyllis Logan as Elsie Hughes
- Robert James-Collier as Thomas Barrow
- Joanne Froggatt as Anna Bates
- Allen Leech as Tom Branson
- Penelope Wilton as Isobel Crawley
- Lesley Nicol as Beryl Patmore
- Michael Fox as Andy Parker
- Raquel Cassidy as Phyllis Baxter
- Brendan Coyle as John Bates
- Kevin Doyle as Joseph Molesley
- Harry Hadden-Paton as Bertie Pelham
- Sophie McShera as Daisy Mason
- Douglas Reith as Lord Merton
- Dominic West as Guy Dexter
Paul Giamatti will also reprise his role as Harold Levinson from the 2013 Christmas special, and Joely Richardson, Alessandro Nivola and Simon Russell Beale will all be making their Downton debuts in the upcoming film.
All seasons of Downton Abbey are available to stream on ITVX.
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Authors
Morgan Cormack is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering everything drama-related on TV and streaming. She previously worked at Stylist as an Entertainment Writer. Alongside her past work in content marketing and as a freelancer, she possesses a BA in English Literature.
