Since its premiere in 2010, Downton Abbey has been charming audiences for 15 years both on TV and in movies. In 2025, the beloved franchise is set for its final chapter when Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale hits theaters. It's a bittersweet goodbye, filled with so many emotional moments.

So, to celebrate the end of a monumental era, below are 21 Downton Abbey cast members in their very first episodes vs. now:

1. Hugh Bonneville as Robert Crawley

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First appearance (2010): Season 1, Episode 1

Last appearance (2025): Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale

What he's up to now (2025): Over the last several years, while simultaneously starring in the Downton Abbey films, Hugh has also appeared in the Paddington movies, The Monuments Men, and more. He starred in the TV series The Agency, and he also appeared in Galavant.

2. Elizabeth McGovern as Cora Crawley

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First appearance (2010): Season 1, Episode 1

Last appearance (2025): Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale

What she's up to now (2025): Alongside starring in the Downton Abbey films, Elizabeth appeared in eight episodes of the British TV series, War of the Worlds, and the movie And Mrs. Currently, she's starring on Broadway as Ava Gardner in the play Ava: The Secret Conversations. 

3. Michelle Dockery as Mary Crawley

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First appearance (2010): Season 1, Episode 1

Last appearance (2025): Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale

What she's up to now (2025): While starring in the Downton Abbey films these past few years, Michelle has appeared in several movies, like The Gentlemen, Here, and Flight Risk, and shows like Godless, Defending Jacob, Anatomy of a Scandal, and more.

4. Laura Carmichael as Edith Crawley

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First appearance (2010): Season 1, Episode 1

Last appearance (2025): Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale

What she's up to now (2025): While starring in all three of the Downton Abbey movies, Laura starred in the TV series The Spanish Princess and The Secrets She Keeps.

5. Jim Carter as Charles Carson

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First appearance (2010): Season 1, Episode 1

Last appearance (2025): Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale

What he's up to now (2025): Besides starring in the Downton Abbey films, Jim appeared in Wonka and lent his voice to the animated movie, The Sea Beast. He also starred in the TV film King Lear, and he narrates several TV series, like Inside the World's Greatest Hotels. 

6. Phyllis Logan as Elsie Hughes

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First appearance (2010): Season 1, Episode 1

Last appearance (2025): Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale

What she's up to now (2025): While also starring in the Downton Abbey movies, Phyllis appeared in movies like Surprised by Oxford and No Way Up. She's also lent her voice to The Adventures of Paddington TV series, and appeared in shows like Shetland, Miss Austen, The Bombing of Pan Am 103, and Murder Most Puzzling.

7. Joanne Froggatt as Anna Smith

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First appearance (2010): Season 1, Episode 1

Last appearance (2025): Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale

What she's up to now (2025): Alongside starring in all three Downton Abbey movies, Joanne has starred in several TV series recently, such as Liar, The Commons, Angela Black, North Shore, Breathtaking, and now MobLand.

8. Brendan Coyle as John Bates

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First appearance (2010): Season 1, Episode 1

Last appearance (2025): Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale

What he's up to now (2025): Alongside starring in the Downton Abbey films, Brendan starred in the film Mary Queen of Scots. He's also appeared in TV shows like Murdoch Mysteries, 12 Monkeys, Requiem, Finders Keepers, and Toxic Town. 

9. Penelope Wilton as Isobel Crawley

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First appearance (2010): Season 1, Episode 1

Last appearance (2025): Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale

What she's up to now (2025): Alongside the three Downton Abbey movies, Penelope also starred in Summerland, Operation Mincemeat, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, and more. In terms of TV, she's recently starred in Brief Encounters, After Life, Murder Is Easy, and Dead Hot. Penelope has also returned to the stage, having starred in plays like Fanny and Alexander and Backstairs Billy in London.

10. Allen Leech as Tom Branson

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First appearance (2010): Season 1, Episode 4

Last appearance (2025): Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale

What he's up to now (2025): While also starring in the three Downton Abbey movies, Allen appeared in Bohemian Rhapsody, Cold Meat, and You Can't Run Forever. He's also starred in TV shows like The Good Doctor, The Vanishing Triangle, and Too Good to Be True, where he was also an executive producer on the latter two.

11. Robert James-Collier as Thomas Barrow

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First appearance (2010): Season 1, Episode 1

Last appearance (2025): Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale

What he's up to now (2025): Alongside starring in the Downton Abbey movies, Robert starred in the TV series Ackley Bridge from 2019 to 2022. He also starred in Fate: The Winx Saga and has appeared in other shows like The Inheritance, The Long Shadow, and Generation Z.

12. Lesley Nicol as Beryl Patmore

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First appearance (2010): Season 1, Episode 1

Last appearance (2025): Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale

What she's up to now (2025): While starring in the Downton Abbey movies, Lesley also appeared in several TV shows and movies, like Supernatural, The Catch, Beecham House, Doc Martin, Mr Bates vs The Post Office, The Wingfeather Saga, and more.

13. Sophie McShera as Daisy Robinson

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First appearance (2010): Season 1, Episode 1

Last appearance (2025): Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale

What she's up to now (2025): Alongside starring in the Downton Abbey films, Sophie also starred in the Disney live-action remake of Cinderella. In terms of TV, she's appeared in shows like Galavant, Murdoch Mysteries, Porters, The Queen's Gambit, and The Gallows Pole.

14. Kevin Doyle as Joseph Molesley

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First appearance (2010): Season 1, Episode 2

Last appearance (2025): Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale

What he's up to now (2025): While starring in the Downton Abbey movies, Kevin also appeared in TV shows like Happy Valley, Doc Martin, Paranoid, Death in Paradise, Sherwood, Until I Kill You, Ridley, and more.

15. Raquel Cassidy as Phyllis Baxter

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First appearance (2013): Season 4, Episode 5

Last appearance (2025): Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale

What she's up to now (2025): While starring in the Downton Abbey movies, Raquel has also starred in shows like Uncle, The Worst Witch, Strangers, The Good Karma Hospital, and more.

16. Michael Fox as Andrew "Andy" Parker

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First appearance (2014): Season 5, Episode 8

Last appearance (2025): Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale

What he's up to now (2025): While also starring in the Downton Abbey movies, Michael appeared in Christopher Nolan's Dunkirk. He's also appeared in shows like Endeavor, Midsomer Murders, and more. He's been in a relationship with his Downton Abbey costar, Laura Carmichael, since 2014. They have a son together.

17. Harry Hadden-Paton as Bertie Pelham

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First appearance (2014): Season 5, Episode 9

Last appearance (2025): Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale

What he's up to now (2025): Alongside starring in the Downton Abbey movies, Harry also starred in Twisters. He also starred in The Crown as Martin Charteris, and has appeared in shows like Versailles, The Blacklist, and Industry.

18. Lily James as Rose MacClare

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First appearance (2012): Season 3, Episode 8

Last appearance (2015): "The Finale" Season 6, Episode 9

What she's up to now (2025): After leaving Downton Abbey as a series regular in Season 5, Lily went on to star in several TV series like War & Peace and Pam & Tommy, with the latter earning her an Emmy nomination. In terms of movies, Lily has starred in so many big ones since leaving Downton, like Cinderella, Baby Driver, Yesterday, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, The Iron Claw, and more.

19. Jessica Brown Findlay as Sybil Crawley

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First appearance (2010): Season 1, Episode 1

Last appearance (2012): Season 3, Episode 5

What she's up to now (2025): Following her departure from Downton Abbey in Season 3, Jessica went on to star in several movies, like The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, Victor Frankenstein, The Banishing, The Hanging Sun, and more. She also starred in TV shows like Harlots, Brave New World, The Flatshare, Playing Nice, and more.

20. Dan Stevens as Matthew Crawley

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First appearance (2010): Season 1, Episode 1

Last appearance (2013): "A Journey to the Highlands" (Season 3, Episode 9)

What he's up to now (2025): After leaving Downton Abbey following Season 3, Dan has gone on to star in countless movies, like Beauty and the Beast, Cuckoo, Abigail, and more. In terms of TV, he's starred in Legion, High Maintenance, Zero Day, Bad Thoughts, and more. He's also voiced characters in Solar Opposites, The Prince, The Sea Beast, and more.

21. And finally, Maggie Smith as Violet Crawley

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First appearance (2010): Season 1, Episode 1

Last appearance (2022): Downton Abbey: A New Era

In 2024, Maggie Smith died at 89 years old. Her final two films were Downton Abbey: A New Era and The Miracle Club, which bookended an illustrious career.

What was your all-time favorite Downton Abbey moment? Your favorite character? Share all your thoughts in the comments below!

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