By Hannah Powling
It’s the end of an era. The curtain closes on award-winning drama Downton Abbey as the last episode from Series 6 aired last weekend. The sixth and final season had some exciting moments, we got to see what finally became of the Crawleys and the servants who work for them as they embark on new challenges and begin forging different paths in the rapidly changing world.
If you are yet to see the last season, you’re in for a treat… Although we are eagerly awaiting the Christmas special this year. Does Mary choose the right path? Does Edith finally get a break? Will Anna and Bates overcome the hurdles that have been thrown their way? Does Mr Barrow get through the tough times he faces?
The final season of the multi-award winning series follows all of our favourite characters as they strive to find happiness once and for all. To celebrate the release of the final Series 6 on DVD which is out today (16th November) – we get to hear what the stars of the show have to say about what Downton means to them; how the last day on set felt and what is next for Lady Mary Michelle Dockery, The Earl of Grantham Hugh Bonneville and Mrs Patmore Lesley Nichol…
INTERVIEW WITH MICHELLE DOCKERY
Q: How did you feel on your last day on set?
A: It was terribly emotional and I felt sick leading up to that final take, anticipating those words, ‘And that’s a wrap,’ after six years. It was such a mixture of emotion. My last scene I was below stairs, which was really poignant for me. I was with Jim Carter (Mr. Carson), Phyllis Logan (Mrs. Hughes) and Hugh Bonneville (Earl of Grantham). It was such a lovely way to end it, particularly with Jim. I liked it that Mary and Carson had their final moment together.
Q: Are you as fashion conscious as Lady Mary?
A: I don’t know. I think that she is fashionable but I don’t think she’s obsessed. She is not going as far as maybe Rose (Lily James) does. Rose was very ‘flapper’ and Mary is a little bit more mature than that. Personally, I take note of fashion and I like seeing what is out there in the new collections. I guess we are about the same. I like a lot of what we see in Season 6. There are lots of pearls, a lot of Chanel influence, and fabulous hats this year. I get to wear some really great hats and I do at one stage wear sunglasses, which was very risqué, very new.
Q: Will you miss the costumes?
A: I will miss them. I really will. They are just beautiful, particularly this year. They have really pulled out all the stops for the last series and I don’t think I’d ever tire of wearing the clothes and the jewellery.
Q: What was one of the most memorable scenes from your time on Downton?
A: It was being at the train station with Matthew in Series Two. That was a really special scene, and the proposal at the end of that series. There are many scenes — with Maggie [Smith], scenes with Jim [Carter], scenes with Laura [Carmichael], I love them all.
Q: Is there anything that you won’t miss?
A: Those cold mornings at Highclere Castle, maybe! It is like a wind tunnel around that house…
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FIND OUT
How Hugh Bonneville feels about the series coming to an end; and Lesley Nicols standout moments from the show..
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DOWNTON ABBEY SERIES 6 IS AVAILABLE ON BLU-RAY AND DVD ON 16TH NOVEMBER, COURTESY OF UNIVERSAL PICTURES (UK)
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