Downton Abbey: Season 3
  • Network: PBS , ITV1 , ITV
  • Series Premiere Date: Jan 9, 2011
  • Season #: 1 , 2 , 3
User Score
7.8 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 62 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 53 out of 62
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 62
  3. Negative: 4 out of 62

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  1. Gterv
    Feb 6, 2013
    3
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I'm very surprised to see that this season has been well received. to me it's like a Latin telenovela where terrible tragedies strike every character. spoiler having two main characters die after their birth of their baby seems ridiculous. it's sad that the story line went this way after an incredible first season.… Expand
  2. seancriswell
    Mar 4, 2013
    4
    I loved the first season of this show. The second season in my opinion had many problems. After the third season I may be out on Downton Abbey. This show has just became a soap opera for me. It no longer seems concerned in developing characters in an interesting manner. The stories have become more and more contrived and leaves my attention waning in nearly every episode. There are a couple of spoilers that I will not detail here, but they are blatant emotional manipulations that came nowhere close to working on me. I developed a fondness for many of these characters over the first two seasons that kept me watching, but those feelings may not last through another year.… Expand

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
83 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 26 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 26
  3. Negative: 0 out of 26
  1. Kansas City Star
    Reviewed by: Sara Smith
    Feb 1, 2013
    70
    Those who accept it for what it is--a funny, manipulative soap that relies on historical upheaval to frame its scarce plots--should be happy to hear that Downton’s new season is better than its last.
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  2. Uncle Barky
    Reviewed by: Ed Bark
    Jan 7, 2013
    91
    Through it all, though, Downton Abbey is still superior entertainment on a grand scale.
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  3. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Robert Lloyd
    Jan 4, 2013
    80
    This year, by contrast [to last year], the drama flows more naturally; it cuts closer to home, and nearer the bone, allowing Smith and McGovern, particularly, deeper material than has previously been their portion
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