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Season 3 – Downton Abbey

Play trailer Poster for Season 3 – Downton Abbey 2012 History Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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83% Tomatometer 6 Reviews 93% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
This British drama series follows the lives of the Crawley family and its servants in the family's classic Georgian country house. The series begins with the 1912 sinking of the Titanic, which leaves Downton Abbey's future in jeopardy, since the presumptive heirs of Robert, Earl of Grantham -- his cousin James, and James' son, Patrick -- die in the catastrophe, leaving the family without a male offspring to take over Downton when the current lord dies. The point is important since Lord Grantham's children are daughters -- Ladies Mary, Edith and Sybil, but the facets of their lives and of those of the below-stairs staff -- also a highly regimented world -- have fascinating story lines.
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Downton Abbey — Season 3

Downton Abbey — Season 3

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Critics Consensus

In its third season, Downton Abbey remains a gripping, fascinating look at 1920s England, though its melodramatic plotting occasionally veers into less satisfying territory.

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Critics Reviews

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Sean Axmaker Stream on Demand Season Three is a season of weddings and funerals, births and deaths, and an aristocracy stuck in the past dragged indignantly into the 20th century. May 9, 2025 Full Review Andy Dehnart Reality Blurred It's worth seeking out the full series, though, because it's great television from start to finish. Mar 8, 2020 Full Review Mark Sanderson The Arts Desk Downton may only be posh tosh about dosh and nosh but - gosh! - it's bally good. Jul 23, 2018 Full Review Tom Fitzgerald and Lorenzo Marquez Tom & Lorenzo Almost everyone else could be plopped right back in 1912 at the start of the series and there'd be no difference. Jun 19, 2018 Full Review Daniel Mendelsohn Harper's Magazine As a result, Season 3 - which consisted of a breathless jumble of financial disasters and eleventh-hour rescues, a tragic death from preeclampsia, and a surprise inheritance following yet another death, from Spanish flu - felt both empty and hyperactive. Apr 17, 2018 Full Review John Powers Vogue What can I say? Like an open bag of kettle chips (from Harrods, of course), _Downton Abbey'_s storytelling may be junky but it's also irresistible. Mar 7, 2017 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Nicolaas J Season 3 of Downton Abbey is an emotional rollercoaster in the grandest, most elegant sense. Just when you think you’ve settled into the rhythms of aristocratic life, Julian Fellowes pulls the rug out from under you—in the most devastatingly beautiful ways. This season is full of life-altering decisions, shifting power dynamics, and, yes, heartbreak that lingers long after the credits roll. Maggie Smith continues her reign as the indomitable Dowager Countess. If you thought she couldn’t possibly top herself, think again. Her sharp tongue is as delightful as ever, but it’s the cracks in Violet’s armor this season—the fleeting glimpses of vulnerability—that elevate her performance to a whole new level. Smith doesn’t just act, she commands the screen. Hugh Bonneville gives his most layered performance yet as Lord Grantham. He’s a man torn between the old ways and the changing world around him, and Bonneville captures that inner struggle with subtlety and strength. His scenes carry immense emotional weight, especially in moments of loss and reckoning. Michelle Dockery’s Lady Mary is absolutely magnetic this season. Poised, proud, and heartbreakingly human—her journey through love, marriage, and profound grief is both captivating and soul-crushing. Dockery delivers a performance so nuanced and rich, you feel every beat of Mary’s sorrow and resilience as if it were your own. Season 3 isn’t just a turning point in the story—it’s a masterstroke in television drama. The writing is sharp, the performances are unmatched, and the emotional impact is searing. Weddings, funerals, family feuds—every high and low is painted with exquisite detail. And when tragedy strikes, it hits like a thunderclap. It’s bold, it's brave, and it's utterly unforgettable. Downton Abbey Season 3 is storytelling at its most human and most devastatingly beautiful. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/25/25 Full Review Wyatt E More characters, more drama, more suspense, truly a seamless transition from season 2 to 3 without skipping a beat Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/29/24 Full Review matthias s "Downton Abbey Season 3 takes viewers on a rollercoaster ride through the highs and lows of aristocratic life, delivering drama, romance, and scandal in equal measure. As the Crawley family faces new challenges, from financial woes to modernity creeping into their world, the tension is palpable, keeping audiences on the edge of their seats. With stellar performances from the ensemble cast, led by the incomparable Maggie Smith, every episode is a masterclass in acting and storytelling. The addition of new characters injects fresh energy into the series, while the evolving dynamics between familiar faces keep viewers invested. From heartwarming moments to jaw-dropping twists, this season delivers it all. Whether it's the gripping intrigue of Mary's love life or the poignant struggles of Bates and Anna, each storyline is expertly crafted to keep audiences hooked. With sumptuous costumes, lavish sets, and witty dialogue, Downton Abbey Season 3 is a must-watch for fans of period dramas and anyone craving captivating television." Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/08/24 Full Review Henry J I know. The central themes are repeated for 3 seasons now. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 07/27/23 Full Review David C Though loaded with too much melodrama, the devastating events that befell and befall the family, as well as the ever-evolving and intriguing goings on amongst the staff, keep Downton eminently watchable and enjoyable Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/11/23 Full Review Audience Member This season was personally tragic for me, as the loss of specific characters was heart breaking. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/09/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Downton Abbey — Season 3

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Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Sep 16, 2012 Cora's mother sweeps into Downton for Matthew and Mary's wedding, but with the couple's relationship under strain they might not make it to the altar. Details Episode 2 Aired Sep 23, 2012 The future of Downton is unsure; Mary conspires with Violet to put on a grand party. Details Episode 3 Aired Sep 30, 2012 Edith is enthusiastic about her wedding and hopes to convince her family that Strallan's age does not matter. With Downton's finances dire because of Robert's actions, Mary takes matters into her hands -- but the personal price may be high. Details Episode 4 Aired Oct 7, 2012 Branson's political views land him in hot water, and Sybil's loyalty is tested to the limit. Meanwhile, Ethel is torn between head and heart as she makes a difficult decision about her son's future. Elsewhere, Anna is dispirited at Bates' silence. Details Episode 5 Aired Oct 14, 2012 An exciting offer for Edith divides opinion, Isobel throws Ethel a lifeline, and new maid Ivy is attracting attention below stairs. Meanwhile, Anna's perseverance finally pays off, and Matthew's concerns about the estate grow. Details Episode 6 Aired Oct 21, 2012 Branson has a strong supporter in his corner after making a tough decision, and Robert and Cora's relationship is under greater pressure. Details Episode 7 Aired Oct 28, 2012 It's been a long time coming for Anna, but her patience is finally rewarded; elsewhere family members clash over the estate and the future. Details Episode 8 Aired Nov 4, 2012 A cricket match at Downton sparks Robert's competitive side and could prove to be vital for future of the estate. Details Episode 9 Aired Dec 25, 2012 A Journey to the Highlands The family travels to Duneagle Castle for Christmas; the servants spend Christmas Day at Downton. Details
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Season Info

Director
Andy Goddard, Jeremy Webb, Brian Percival, David Evans
Screenwriter
Julian Fellowes
Network
ITV
Rating
TV-PG
Genre
History, Drama
Original Language
British English
Release Date
Sep 16, 2012
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