Andrew Scarborough

Returning to Downton in 1924 a new labour government heralds changes that are being felt throughout the land, as well as above and below stairs. Plans for a war memorial unexpectedly pit Carson against Robert and Mrs Hughes. While unwanted female attention spells trouble for Jimmy, Thomas gives Baxter an ultimatum. Branson’s burgeoning friendship causes Robert concern while Mary is ready to find love again. Cracks appear in Edith and Drewe’s special arrangement as she increasingly struggles to keep her emotions in check; this may have disastrous consequences for the whole household.

It's summer and as part of Rose’s ‘coming out’ she is to be presented at Buckingham Palace. The family are in London, preparing Grantham House for the busy social program. Not one to miss such a grand occasion, Martha Levinson arrives from New York with Cora’s recently disgraced brother Harold. Both outspoken and larger-than-life, they make quite an impression amongst certain members of London's high society. When the Crawleys are implicated in a scandal that threatens to engulf the monarchy, Robert will go to great lengths to protect the royal family, and his own.

Mary’s meddling gets Mr Carson into trouble with Mrs Hughes as planning for their wedding gets underway, and Cora and Violet are pitted against each other over plans for the hospital takeover. Thomas’s job search continues with disheartening consequences, and an idea of Mary’s takes Anna to London and offers new hope. Edith faces challenges at the magazine but it’s a problem closer to home that reaches breaking point. What begins as a happy day out for the family and servants ends in panic and leaves Robert with a difficult decision to make.

Rosamund hatches a plan to help Edith out of her predicament, but will Violet see straight through it? Isobel is on the receiving end of some unexpected attention, while Mary asks Gillingham for a favour. Rose has her nose put out of joint when plans don’t go her way, and Alfred realises too late that he may have made a mistake. Just when Bates and Anna seem to be coming through the worst of their troubles, some unexpected news gives her fresh cause for concern.

Change is in the air as an exciting opportunity for Alfred creates tension between Ivy and Daisy. Isobel appeals to Violet’s sense of charity, but it doesn’t come without a fight, and Branson considers a whole new future for himself and baby Sybbie.