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Downton Abbey: Season 1
  • Network: PBS , ITV1 , ITV
  • Series Premiere Date: Jan 9, 2011
  • Season #: 0 , 1 , 2
Downton Abbey Image
Metascore
92 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 14 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.7 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 110 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
Rate this:
  • Summary: Masterpiece imports ITV's miniseries about the lives of those living at Lord Robert Grantham's estate, Downton Abbey, in 1912. Intrigue and romance are a constant after it is discovered that the Titanic has taken all the possible male heirs.
  • Genre(s): Action/Adventure, Drama

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Mary McNamara
    Jan 9, 2011
    100
    Downton Abbey, which premieres Sunday, is this generation's "Upstairs, Downstairs," both in theme--the daily dramas of a titled British family and their many servants--and in stature.
  2. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: David Wiegand
    Jan 7, 2011
    100
    Fellowes does know how to write some tasty dialogue, especially for Maggie Smith....The other performances are equally winning, but beyond that, you can't help feeling these actors are having a jolly good time with all this overblown fluff. And so will you.
  3. Hitfix
    Reviewed by: Alan Sepinwall
    Feb 14, 2011
    60
    Now, I wouldn't say I loved it. Parts of it I didn't even like. I became quite engaged with what was going on downstairs with the servants, while I found virtually everything having to do with the Granthams (at least the parts unrelated to how they dealt with the staff) a chore to get through.

See all 14 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 31
  3. Negative: 2 out of 31
  1. katharineclark
    10
    I devoured this show in 2 days. I am a fan of british drama and period pieces so it's not surprise I absolutely love it. That my action movie/ indie movie loving dad also loved it is a testament to it's beautiful scenery, surprisingly scandalous plot lines, and the ode to a time of more subtle human interaction. I adore the complexity of the characters, and the wonderful Madame Smith. Stellar!… Expand
    • 1 of 1 users said yes
  2. ChloeM
    10
    Wonderful tv. After the first episode I instantly cared about the characters. I found the rest online and they are all just as fantastic as the first. Maggie Smith in particular is fantastic.… Expand
    • 2 of 4 users said yes
  3. Giggleflower
    2
    If you like or miss soap operas this is a good choice, it is well written, acted and the characters are likable or even lovable. But I don't like soap operas… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes

See all 31 User Reviews

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