Fellowes fluffs it: Downton Abbey – A New Era reviewed

Downton Abbey: A New Era is the second film spin-off from the TV series and, like the first, it doesn’t have to try especially hard if at all. It could be two hours of Mrs Hughes darning socks or two hours of Mrs Patmore concocting something disgusting (kidney soufflé?) or two hours of Lady Grantham requesting tea in bed and fans would still love it to the tune of whatever the last film made. (Millions.) That said, I have always had a bit of a soft spot for it. As the theme music starts up and we get that first sweeping vista of the estate, it feels reassuring and familiar, like putting on a pair of old slippers. On the other hand, old slippers can become highly embarrassing in time, so there is also that.

The cast have all turned up to do it yet again, including Imelda Staunton as Lady Bagshaw even though she’s given nothing to do whatsoever. The only character missing, as far as I could fathom, is Lady Mary’s husband, Henry, usually played by Matthew Goode. To explain his absence we’re told he is motor-rallying and currently in Istanbul although I have my suspicions. (Matthew Goode to agent: ‘TELL THEM I’M DEAD!’) Otherwise, we have all the upstairs people: Lord Grantham (Hugh Bonneville), Lady Grantham (Elizabeth McGovern), Lady ‘monotone voice’ Mary (Michelle Dockery) and, of course, everyone’s favourite one-liner machine Violet Crawley (Maggie Smith; Maggie Smith to agent: ‘DID YOU TRY TELLING THEM I WAS DEAD?’). Also present are all the downstairs people who love to serve the upstairs people and carry on like they’re blessed. I had my eye particularly on butler Carson (Jim Carter), as even though I appear to have blanked most of the first film – Lady Mary has a daughter called Caroline? – I do remember he had developed a tremor and, on this outing, I was frantically worried whenever he served soup.