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This is a list of characters from Downton Abbey, a British period drama television series created by Julian Fellowes and co-produced by Carnival Films and Masterpiece for ITV and PBS, respectively. Some also appear in one or both of the film sequels: Downton Abbey (2019), and Downton Abbey: A New Era (2022). Cast Main cast  D indicates that the character appeared with the use of a body double replacing the credited actor. Recurring cast Guest cast The Crawley family Robert Crawley, 7th Earl of Grantham Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham (played by Hugh Bonneville) (b. July 1865), usually called Lord Grantham, is the 7th and current Earl of Grantham. He is the husband of Cora, son of Violet, and father of Mary, Edith and Sybil. Robert is immensely proud of Downton as the place he grew up and takes his responsibility for the estate very seriously; he sees himself as its caretaker, not its owner. Although in some ways his character embodies the traditional values of the aristocracy, Robert does not shun all progress, and he is very protective of and loyal to his family and servants. Despite these virtues, Robert's adherence to tradition lets him down in other ways. He often resists "modern" suggestions for better management of the estate, especially after his daughter Mary joins his sons-in-law Matthew and Tom in running it. His attitudes occasionally clash with that of the more progressive and pragmatic Cora. By the end of the final series, Robert's worsening health forces him to step down from running the estate, leaving the task to Tom and Mary. Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham Cora Crawley (née Levinson), Countess of Grantham (played by Elizabeth McGovern) (b. 1868), usually called Lady Grantham, is the wife of Robert and mother of Mary, Edith and Sybil. A wealthy American heiress of Jewish descent, she married Robert in 1890 when the Crawleys were in straitened circumstances; her fortune helped rescue Downton. Although she has adopted the lifestyle of the British aristocracy, her character is portrayed as more forward-thinking and open-minded than that of her family, a trait her husband and daughters attribute to her "American-ness". Her industrious nature, first discovered during the First World War when she opens and maintains Downton as a convalescent home for soldiers, and later put to use on the Downton hospital board, often causes conflict with Robert, especially after she becomes president of the hospital board in the final series. However, Robert relents after seeing how effective Cora is in the role. During the summer of 1914, Cora discovers she has become pregnant for the first time in 18 years, but she suffers a miscarriage caused by her maid O'Brien. Shortly after the war, Cora has Spanish influenza and nearly dies before making a full recovery. Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham Violet Crawley (The Dowager Countess of Grantham) (played by Maggie Smith) (1841–1928) is Robert's mother and widow of the previous earl. Violet, portrayed as a matriarchal figure and quick of wit despite her age, symbolises the "old world" and order of the pre–First World War days. During and after the war, Violet remains a strong influence at Downton Abbey but finds her influence under threat as social norms change, particularly from Isobel Crawley, with whom she has a tendency to quarrel, and her daughter-in-law Cora, both of whom are more forward-thinking and strong-minded women. She has a strong bond with her granddaughter Mary, to whom she is the most similar. She dies at the end of the second film. Lady Mary Talbot Lady Mary Josephine Talbot (née Crawley) (played by Michelle Dockery) (b. 1891) is the eldest daughter of Lord and Lady Grantham and arguably the centre of interest of all the family story arcs in the series. Early on, she is portrayed as a petulant and cold young woman; as the series progresses, however, she shows more vulnerability and compassion. One of her most constant traits is her unfailing devotion to Downton as her home and, eventually, the estate which she will preside over. After the death of the heir to the estate and her unofficial fiancé, Mary's relationship with the new heir, distant cousin Matthew Crawley, begins coldly due to their different upbringing. Over time, however, the pair grow closer, and a romance develops. In 1914, Matthew asks Mary to marry him, but she is hesitant because of circumstances regarding the inheritance of the estate. Heartbroken and angered by her hesitancy, Matthew withdraws his proposal and decides to leave Downton. During the second series, Matthew serves in the First World War and both become engaged to other people, but after a series of obstacles, Matthew proposes to her again, and the two marry. After struggling with infertility, Mary becomes pregnant and gives birth to a son, George, at the end of the third series. However, the same day, Matthew is killed in a car crash while driving home from the hospital. Mary struggles to move past her grief, but after the discovery of a letter from Matthew stating he intended to name Mary his sole heiress, she recovers and begins helping her father and brother-in-law Tom manage the estate. In the fourth series, Mary is pursued by three suitors: Anthony Foyle (Lord Gillingham), Evelyn Napier, and Charles Blake. However, she eventually decides she does not want to marry any of them, providing a shock, especially for Tony. In the fifth series, Mary meets Henry Talbot, a race car driver. Though Mary struggles to overcome her lingering grief about Matthew's death, she realises she loves Henry, and the two marry at the end of series six. In the first film, she has had a daughter with Henry named Caroline. In the second film, Mary has a flirtatious relationship with a film director named Jack Barber, but she stays faithful to Henry. Edith Pelham, Marchioness of Hexham Edith Pelham, Marchioness of Hexham (née Lady Edith Crawley; b. 1892) (played by Laura Carmichael) is the middle daughter of Lord and Lady Grantham. Edith is often the "forgotten" one as she is not considered as pretty and smooth-talking as her older sister, Mary, or as daring and passionate as her younger sister, Sybil. She experiences multiple disappointments in her romantic relationships: she is jilted at the altar by Sir Anthony Strallan in the third series, and her second fiancé Michael Gregson is killed by Nazis while staying in Germany. Further, Edith discovers she is pregnant with Gregson's illegitimate child. However, Edith also experiences success when she pursues a career in journalism and takes charge of Gregson's magazine publishing company. In series six, after Mary arranges for the couple to reunite, Edith marries Bertie Pelham, becoming a marchioness, and he and her family come to accept her daughter Marigold. In the first film, she reveals she is pregnant with Bertie's child. She also tells Bertie she is feeling unfulfilled in the role of marchioness. In the s.... Discover the Susan Branson popular books. Find the top 100 most popular Susan Branson books.