How to watch

Downton Abbey Watch Order in the correct order

How to watch Downton Abbey in order — all six seasons and both films

Last updated: June 26 2026

Written by: ChronoBob

Downton Abbey is ITV's beloved period drama set in the grand English country estate of the Crawley family, spanning the early 1910s through the late 1920s. With six seasons and two theatrical films, here's everything you need to watch it in the right order.

Created by Julian Fellowes, Downton Abbey became a global sensation from its debut in 2010, drawing in audiences with its rich blend of upstairs aristocratic drama and downstairs servants' stories. Set against the sweeping backdrops of World War I, the sinking of the Titanic, and the social upheaval of the 1920s, the show follows the Crawley family — led by the imperious Dowager Countess Violet — and the staff of their magnificent Yorkshire estate. The series concluded in 2015 before returning for two feature films that continued the story with the full original cast.

🕐 Release Order

Release order is the straightforward and only sensible choice here — the story progresses chronologically through the series and both films follow on directly.

  1. Downton Abbey Season 1 (2010) — set 1912–1914
  2. Downton Abbey Season 2 (2011) — set 1916–1919, includes WWI
  3. Downton Abbey Season 3 (2012) — set 1920–1921
  4. Downton Abbey Season 4 (2013) — set 1922
  5. Downton Abbey Season 5 (2014) — set 1924
  6. Downton Abbey Season 6 (2015) — set 1925–1926
  7. Downton Abbey (2019) — theatrical film, set 1927
  8. Downton Abbey: A New Era (2022) — set 1928

The two films were made for cinema audiences already familiar with the series, so watching all six seasons first is essential — jumping straight to the films would mean missing years of character development that make the movies so emotionally satisfying.

📖 Story Chronology

Downton Abbey is a chronological story set across sixteen years of English history, from the sinking of the Titanic in 1912 to the late 1920s. Release order and story chronology are identical, making this one of the easiest franchises to navigate.

  1. Downton Abbey Season 1 (2010) — 1912–1914
  2. Downton Abbey Season 2 (2011) — 1916–1919
  3. Downton Abbey Season 3 (2012) — 1920–1921
  4. Downton Abbey Season 4 (2013) — 1922
  5. Downton Abbey Season 5 (2014) — 1924
  6. Downton Abbey Season 6 (2015) — 1925–1926
  7. Downton Abbey (2019) — 1927
  8. Downton Abbey: A New Era (2022) — 1928

Which Order Should You Choose?

There's only one way to watch Downton Abbey: start with Season 1 and work your way forward. The series builds its emotional power through years of carefully crafted character relationships, and the films are designed as a love letter to fans of the original run. Don't let the period setting put you off — Downton is as addictive as any contemporary drama, with cliffhangers, scandal, romance, and wit woven through every episode. By the time you reach the 2019 film, you'll be fully invested in every servant, aristocrat, and the grand house itself.

🔗 Related Guides

  • Bridgerton Watch OrderGuide
  • Peaky Blinders Watch OrderGuide
  • Suits Watch OrderGuide

Did we miss anything? Let us know and we'll keep this guide up to date!