Saying Goodbye to Downton Abbey in Style

Y’all, PBS knows how to throw a party.

This was just one of my many take-aways last night at the PBS-hosted celebration of one of the most beloved shows on television… Downton Abbey. Fans gathered last night at midtown’s Hudson Theater to get a special sneak-peek at the very last season premiere (which airs on PBS on January 3rd at 9/8 p.m.) and participate in a Q&A with some of the cast.

Despite the famously formal feel of the wildly popular series, the mood last night at the Hudson was decidedly less formal and more excitable as Downton Abbey fans—including your devoted reporter– scrambled to take selfies with cardboard cut-outs of the Crawleys, gobbled up promotional postcards and posters, and downed free booze in a manner at which the Dowager Countess would disapprovingly raise an eyebrow. More than once over the course of the night, I thought that a proper conference should exist for the fan-fiction-writing, costume-wearing, detail-oriented adorers of period drama (CostumeCon??).

By the looks of the first episode, this final season of Downton Abbey will be the rich and delicious dessert course of a fantastic series. Julian Fellowes has given us a seductive, if familiar, mix of romantic angst, hints of scandal, and class politics this season that should remind fans why they love this show. And, boy, was it fun to watch the episode with this crowd—they cheered, laughed, and applauded in a manner that provoked Mr. Carson himself to lavish praise on us on behalf of all American audiences: “I think you’re more enthusiastic [than our British fans] by about 1000%. We might get a shrug in England.”

What do we have to look forward to this season? Mr. Carson and Mrs. Hughes are supposed to get married. Poor Old Edith must navigate her role as a professional, working young woman in a society that is still uneasy with them. Will Anna and Bates finally find peace in their lives? What will the Dowager Countess say next? One thing we know for sure: according to Michelle Dockery in the panel following the screening, “Mary’s got her mojo back.” Does this mean she finally finds love after Matthew? Or, that she embraces her single status and welcomes scandal like an old friend?

Indeed, the main event of the night was a Q&A with the cast, which was a chance for fans to see some of their favorite actors: Hugh Bonneville (Robert, Lord Grantham), Elizabeth McGovern (Cora, Lady Grantham), Allen Leech (Tom Branson), Michelle Dockery (Mary Crawley), Jim Carter (Mr. Carson), Phyllis Logan (Mrs. Hughes), and Kevin Doyle (Mr. Molesley), who were joined by Executive Producer Gareth Neam and creator/writer Julian Fellowes. And let me tell you: this affair was not the orderly, formal affair you’d expect from Downton’s numerous dinner scenes—on the contrary, this cast is casual and comfortable with one another in a way that appears almost familial. I mean, Hugh Bonneville actually skipped onto the stage. And they often cracked jokes at one another’s expense. (My favorite moment: when a fan asked Michelle Dockery about Mary’s men throughout the show, Dockery enthusiastically responded: “Pamuk was one of my favorites!” At which point Allen Leech dryly commented, “I don’t think you were one of his.” Zing!) All in all, it added to the excitement and joy of the evening: the fact that everyone had gathered to celebrate a show that has attracted a loyal and enthusiastic fan base for the past six years.

When Downton Abbey finally wraps in January, a golden age, like the titular estate, will have come to an end. But it was sure fun while it lasted.

Some other highlights from the Q&A:

On what other character Allen Leech would like to have played: “I’ve loved the journey that Thomas Barrow has gone on…I think it’s a really interesting character…[and] I want to learn how to pout like that in every scene.”

On being the leader of the downstairs cast because of his role as Mr. Carson, Jim Carter: “I did actually give the downstairs cast a bit of a talking to once…It had no effect at all.”

Gareth Neam recounted a cast and crew party: “[Jim Carter] brought [Mrs. Hughes] and Mrs. Pattmore to the party, and he said, ‘I’ve come with my b*tches.” Jim Carter responded, “I actually said ‘hoes.'”

Michelle Dockery on filming her last scene: “I felt sick leading up to that last take, that last moment…two of our crew members–two burly camera grips–were in a huge embrace…and Laura [Carmichael aka Edith] and I lost it….She took my hand, and we walked through every room. We walked across the lawn and sat at Matthew’s bench…and Laura said ‘It doesn’t seem fair. We’ve had all this joy in six years and some people won’t have that in a lifetime.'”

Michelle Dockery on her favorite man on Mary’s life: “I’ve been lucky to work with many men on this show. They’ve all been fabulous in their own ways, but I have to say I have a soft spot for Dan Stevens. Without Matthew, there wouldn’t be Mary.”

What would their characters’ jobs be today?

Kevin Doyle (Mr. Molesley): “Molesley would be a teacher…or a plumber.”

Phyllis Logan (Mrs. Hughes): “She might be some sort of accountant…oh! Counseling…an agony aunt!”

Jim Carter (Mr. Carson): “Drummer in a rock band…obviously.”

Elizabeth McGovern (Cora, Lady Grantham): “Cora would be [Carson’s] lead singer.”

Hugh Bonneville (Robert, Lord Grantham): “A dumb stockbroker”

Michelle Dockery (Mary Crawley): “Mary would run a publication like Vogue…or run a brothel!”

Allen Leech (Tom Branson): “A politician.”

Finally, Julian Fellowes explained, “My favorite scene of all was when Mary went to the station to say goodbye to Matthew when he went back to war. I love the scenes where what the characters are saying are not at all what the scene is actually about.”