Downton Abbey
Downton Abbey Season Four Premiere Breaks Ratings Record With 10.2 Million Viewers!
Courtesy/PBS
The phenomenon that is Downton Abbey just keeps getting stronger! Last night on PBS Masterpiece Classic, the fourth season two-hour premiere set a new record for the series airings in the United States bringing in at least 10.2 million viewers who tuned in live (or within a few hours via digital video recorders).
Those numbers are up from 7.9 million at the start of season three and 8.2 million for last season’s heartbreaking finale which saw Matthew Crawley (Dan Stevens) killed-off!. When all was said and done that’s a 22 percent jump in the ratings, year over year, easily making it the highest-rated drama in PBS history.
In addition to this being a personal best for the British soap opera, it also topped many primetime dramas in the ratings numbers for the night including CBS’ The Good Wife and the return of Revenge on ABC!
Season four of Downton Abbey aired several months ago in the United Kingdom. PBS has received criticism for its decision to delay the episodes in the United States. But they say the sky-high ratings two seasons in a row are proof that their scheduling strategy is a wise one. Paula Kerger, the chief executive of PBS, said in a statement on Monday, “I’m so pleased that millions of viewers have returned to Downton Abbey on their local PBS stations for what has become a post-holiday tradition.”
What do you think of the record breaking numbers from last night for Downton Abbey? Did you get on the bandwagon and watch the show for the first time? Or, did you return to see what happens next after season three? Let us know!
Downton Abbey
‘Downton Abbey 2’: Big-Screen Sequel Announced & Coming For Christmas
So many of us loved the soap opera that was Downton Abbey when it aired on PBS and ITV for six seasons. Then, a few years later in 2019, the highly-awaited Downton Abbey movie hit movie theatres near you.
Now comes word from Focus Features that a big-screen sequel is in the works and is slated for release this Christmas in December of 2021.
In a social media announcement, the film company shared: “We’re thrilled to announce that Julian Fellowes and the entire Downton cast are back for #DowntonAbbey2, with Hugh Dancy, Laura Haddock, Nathalie Baye and Dominic West joining! See the film in theaters this Christmas.”
While, of course, no plot has been teased or given away, Fellowes will write the screenplay, with Simon Curtis (My Week with Marilyn) set to direct.
“There’s no place like home for the holidays, and we can’t imagine a better gift than getting to reunite with Julian, (producer) Gareth Neame and the entire Downton family in 2021 to bring the Crawleys back home for their fans,” said Focus Features chairman Peter Kujawsk in a statement.
So, excited to see your favorites and some potential new ones in the all-new Downton Abbey Movie later this year? Comment below.
Breaking News
DOWNTON ABBEY THE MOVIE: Official Trailer Released
Breaking News
‘Downton Abbey’ The Movie Releases Its First Trailer
Y&R’s Michael Mealor Ties the Knot
Stacy Keibler to be Inducted Into WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2023
(WATCH THE REPLAY) Y&R 50th Anniversary Celebration Livestream
‘Wheel of Fortune’ Welcomes WWE Superstars for Weeklong Tournament as Part of ‘Wrestlemania Goes Hollywood Week’
(WATCH) Y&R 50th Anniversary Party Red Carpet Interviews Part One
GH EP Frank Valentini On Taping the Sonya Eddy Tribute Episode: “It Was an Extraordinary Script, and It Was a Labor of Love That Day”
(EXCLUSIVE) Y&R Alum Janice Lynde, John McCook & Jaime Lyn Bauer Talk Brooks Sisters & Lance, Behind the Scenes Exits & The Music They Performed
WWE Friday Night Smackdown: Rey Mysterio Pushed to the Limits ‘Clocks’ His Son Dominik & Their Wrestlemania Match is Set
TODAY: The Young and the Restless 50th Anniversary Celebration Livestream
The Young and the Restless Debuts New Opening Title Sequence
GH EP Frank Valentini On Taping the Sonya Eddy Tribute Episode: “It Was an Extraordinary Script, and It Was a Labor of Love That Day”
General Hospital Alum Briana Lane Mourns the Loss of Her Husband
Y&R’s 50th Anniversary Party (Photos)
‘The Talk’ to Celebrate The Young and the Restless 50th Anniversary in Weeklong Event
The Young and the Restless Debuts New Opening Title Sequence
(EXCLUSIVE) Y&R Alum Janice Lynde, John McCook & Jaime Lyn Bauer Talk Brooks Sisters & Lance, Behind the Scenes Exits & The Music They Performed
B&B’s 36th Anniversary Party (Photos)
B&B Alums Gina Rodriguez and Joe LoCicero Welcome First Child
Lauralee Bell’s Lifetime Movie Network Instagram Takeover To Coincide with Y&R’s 50th Anniversary
Louise Sorel Back Taping Episodes at Days of our Lives
(WATCH THE REPLAY) Y&R 50th Anniversary Celebration Livestream
(EXCLUSIVE) Y&R Alum Janice Lynde, John McCook & Jaime Lyn Bauer Talk Brooks Sisters & Lance, Behind the Scenes Exits & The Music They Performed
WWE Friday Night Smackdown: Rey Mysterio Pushed to the Limits ‘Clocks’ His Son Dominik & Their Wrestlemania Match is Set
TODAY: The Young and the Restless 50th Anniversary Celebration Livestream
The Young and the Restless Debuts New Opening Title Sequence
Y&R’s Michael Graziadei Proposes to Girlfriend, Lauren on ‘The Talk’
Andy Kaufman to be Inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame
WWE Friday Night Smackdown: Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn Hug It Out and Reunite
Y&R’s Camryn Grimes and Bryton James Talk Growing Up In Genoa City, Memorable Moments & What’s Next For Mariah and Devon
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Ridge & Bill and The FBI Are Working Together to Bring Down Sheila!
-
General HospitalMarch 26, 2023GH EP Frank Valentini On Taping the Sonya Eddy Tribute Episode: “It Was an Extraordinary Script, and It Was a Labor of Love That Day”
-
General HospitalMarch 22, 2023General Hospital Alum Briana Lane Mourns the Loss of Her Husband
-
NewsMarch 19, 2023Y&R’s 50th Anniversary Party (Photos)
-
NewsMarch 18, 2023‘The Talk’ to Celebrate The Young and the Restless 50th Anniversary in Weeklong Event
-
NewsMarch 24, 2023The Young and the Restless Debuts New Opening Title Sequence
-
InterviewsMarch 25, 2023(EXCLUSIVE) Y&R Alum Janice Lynde, John McCook & Jaime Lyn Bauer Talk Brooks Sisters & Lance, Behind the Scenes Exits & The Music They Performed
-
NewsMarch 20, 2023B&B’s 36th Anniversary Party (Photos)
-
NewsMarch 19, 2023B&B Alums Gina Rodriguez and Joe LoCicero Welcome First Child
The show is great. What about all of us watching that do not get counted. Imagine how much higher the ratings would be if all of us were counted in the ratings?
An absolutely well written and acted show. From everyone finding out OBrien is gone, the firing of the nanny from hell, Mary’s depression & rise. But the best scenes were Carson letting Mary cry & Maggie Smith in every scene. Welcome back to Sunday nights. Move over American TV the Brits are back & they’re the bezt.
Support PBS!
I’m a $5 a month sustaining member; started before the new year began. I do the same thing with NPR.
This is such a beautifully written, directed, produced and acted program on television. It is and should be called Masterpiece . It is so nice to watch something that goes into people’s souls instead of constant sex and violence. If only we could have a daytime soap like this! IMO, Y&R comes the closest to this.
I actually saw Season 4 of “Downton Abbey” last year when it aired on ITV…Lots of twists, surprises, new characters, shocks, etc…The Christmas episode ranks as one of the best with Shirley Maclaine.
Ive seen only bits from seasons past but i consider myself a new viewer this season after watching most of the premier episode!!!
Oh, do catch up on all the previous seasons, jimh….it will be well worth your while! Such an excellent program in all respects…acting, writing, production values, etc. I can view the reruns over and over again and never tire of them…truly the mark of a great show! (Particularly love the intelligent, witty dialogue…the Dowager Countess and Lady Mary are my favorites, although James “Jimmy” Kent is becoming one, too….he’s so adorbs and love his cheeky insouciance!) P.S. Ron C. should take a page from Julian Fellowes’ superb example of writing and storytelling…LOL.
I like Mary and the one who played in Harry Potter…her name escapes me…im new to this show so im not too familiar with it yet…i like that one guy…i think he’s Carson? It brings back fond memories for me…i was a fan of Upstairs, Downstairs which i watch again on utube! I also like Coranation Street…the British do it best!!!
Right about Dame Maggie…she is so phenomenal as Violet, I sometimes cannot believe it….love, love, love her!!! I simply thought you were referring to one of the younger cast members as having been part of the Potter franchise, but oh yes, Miss Smith was featured in that successful film series, too! However, I think after this crowning achievement in her long and storied career she is forever going to be identified as the “Dowager Countess.” Superb…absolutely superb she is as the feisty, formidable lady!!!
Yes, jimh, the Brits do it best!!! I watch so many of their programs on PBS…mostly the mysteries and period pieces, which I adore, but some Britcoms, too! Used to enjoy “Eastenders,” as well, until they took it off in my area! As for Downton characters, Carson is indeed wonderful….he was amazing in some of the past episodes! Same for Mrs. Hughes, Mrs. Patmore, really almost all of the downstairs people. Just love, love, love this show! The romance between Lady Mary and her late husband, Matthew (sigh…) was so circuitous, but very satisfying when it FINALLY came to fruition.… Read more »
Maggie Smith is the one from Harry Potter who plays Violet on Downtown Abbey…as for Upstairs Downstairs i like the original version from the 1970s…the updated version was ok but not as good as the earlier version.
Most excellent Downton Abby & The Good Wife proves that prime time soaps live on with great quality and excellent soap writing can be accomplished with the right people….if daytime would get back half of this and which they have lost over the years with repeated stories on doppelgangers, bombs, rewriting histories, etc and see good stories are coming through character-driven actions within will bring in great ratings. The only daytime soap who is serving up some great character stories is DOOL with some excellent high melodrama to boot….is classic soap opera…LOVING IT!
Last year a friend told me about Downton Abbey and after listening to him go on and on, I decided to catch up. I watched the entire first 2 seasons just before the third season began. I was captivated and transported, as so many others are.
I loved the premier episode of this season and I think it was nice to learn something a little personal about Carson.
And I was astounded that the nanny referred to Sibyl’s daughter as “the chauffer’s child”, as if she had no standing! So glad she is gone…..