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"Downton Abbey" slated for a NBC primetime special to mark the end of the franchise

By Chris Morgan | Last updated Aug 12, 2025 2:39 AM ET

‘Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale’ will open in theaters Sept. 12 and is said to mark the end of the ‘Downton Abbey’ story. Though such claims should be taken with a grain of salt these days, this one does seem likely.

Before the film’s release, NBC will air an hourlong primetime special titled, fittingly, ‘Downton Abbey Celebrates The Grand Finale.’

A group of cast members and behind-the-scenes figures gathered at a London hotel to reminisce, swap stories and, essentially, hang out for an hour. The result is supplemental material designed to get ‘Downton Abbey’ fans tuning in to NBC, and viewers remembering that ‘The Grand Finale’ is about to debut. The special will air Wednesday, Sept. 10, at 9 p.m. ET, and will be available on Peacock the next day.

It’s all part of a synergy push. Starting Sept. 1, Peacock will add the full ‘Downton Abbey’ streaming library, including all six seasons of the series and the first two films. The idea: watch the show, watch the special, then head to theaters for the movie. If you’re a ‘Downton Abbey’ fan, the special could be a worthwhile, or at the very least, a breezy watch.

(h/t Variety)

Chris Morgan

Chris Morgan is a Detroit-based culture writer who has somehow managed to justify getting his BA in Film Studies. He has written about sports and entertainment across various internet platforms for years and is also the author of three books about '90s television.

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