Downton Abbey is a British period drama television series created by Julian Fellowes and co-produced by Carnival Films and Masterpiece.[1] It first aired on ITV in the United Kingdom on 26 September 2010 and on PBS in the United States on 9 January 2011 as part of the Masterpiece Classic anthology.
Downton Abbey has received critical acclaim from television critics and won numerous accolades, including a Golden Globe Award for Best Miniseries or Television Film, a BAFTA award and a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Miniseries. It was recognised by Guinness World Records as the most critically acclaimed English-language television series of 2011. It earned the most nominations of any international television series in the history of the Primetime Emmy Awards, with twenty-seven in total (after two seasons). It was the most watched television series on both ITV and PBS, and subsequently became the most successful British costume drama series since the 1981 television serial of Brideshead Revisited.[2] By the third series, it had become one of the most widely watched television shows in the world.[3]
Downton Abbey was placed tenth on The Guardian's list of the Top 10 TV programmes of 2010, and came second in the Top 10 TV dramas of 2010 list, beaten only by Doctor Who. It came first in the Top 10 new drama category.[4]
In September 2011, the show entered the Guinness Book of World Records as the 'most critically acclaimed television show' for the year, becoming the first British show to win the award. It beat American shows Mad Men and Modern Family to the title.[5]
Also in 2012, Downton Abbey was parodied on Saturday Night Live, where they imagined how the show might be advertised on the male-oriented Spike TV network, calling it "fancy Entourage."[6]
It won two Broadcasting Press Guild awards in 2011. It won Best Drama Series and Julian Fellowes won for writing.[7] It has also won 6 Primetime Emmy Awards.[8]
The programme was nominated for multiple BAFTAs including the Audience Award, losing to The Only Way is Essex and Best Drama, ultimately losing to Sherlock.
In 2012, Downton Abbey won the 'Best Drama Award' at the National Television Awards.[9] Downton Abbey also won Best TV Show Award at the 2012 Elle Style Awards.[10]
In July 2012, Downton Abbey was nominated for 16 Primetime Emmy Awards.
On 15 September, at the Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards, John Lunn received the Emmy for Outstanding Music Composition for Series (Original Dramatic Score), while Anne ‘Nosh’ Oldham and Christine Greenwood won the Outstanding Hairstyling for A Single Camera Series Award.[11]
On 23 September, at the Primetime Emmy Awards, Maggie Smith took home the Outstanding Supporting Actress Award in a Drama Series.
On 20 November, Downton Abbey was shortlisted for International Programme Sales at the 2013 Broadcast Awards. The International Programme Sales category aims to recognize a UK-produced programme that has made a significant impact internationally.[12]
On 29 November 2012, the producers of Downton Abbey were nominated for The Norman Felton Award for Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television (Drama) at the 2013 Producers Guild Awards.[13]
On 12 December, Downton Abbey received three nominations at the 2013 Screen Actors Guild Awards. Downton was nominated for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble In a Drama Series, while Michelle Dockery and Maggie Smith were both nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series.[14]
On 13 December 2012, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association nominated Downton Abbey in three categories for the 70th Golden Globe Awards. Downton Abbey received a nomination for Best Television Series (Drama), Michelle Dockery for Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series (Drama), and Maggie Smith for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television.[15]
Actor Allen Leech, who plays Tom Branson, has been nominated for the Best Actor in a Supporting Role Television award at the 2013 Irish Film and Television Awards, which take place in February 2013.[16] [17]
On 23 January 2013, Downton Abbey won Best Drama at the 2013 National Television Awards, one year after earning the Best Drama prize at the 2012 NTAs.[18]
On 27 January 2013 the cast of Downton Abbey won Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series at the 19th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards.[19]
In August 2015, Downton Abbey was presented with a BAFTA special award at the Richmond Theatre.[20]
Awards and nominations of Downton Abbey Television Series | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Series | Award | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
Series 1 | Outstanding Miniseries or Movie | Downton Abbey | ||
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie | Elizabeth McGovern | |||
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie | Maggie Smith | |||
Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special | Brian Percival | |||
Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special | Julian Fellowes | |||
Outstanding Casting for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special | Jill Trevellick | |||
Outstanding Cinematography for a Miniseries or Movie | David Katznelson | |||
Outstanding Art Direction for a Miniseries or Movie | Donal Woods Charmian Adams Gina Cromwell | |||
Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Miniseries or a Movie | John Wilson | |||
Outstanding Costumes for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special | Susannah Buxton Caroline McCal | |||
Outstanding Sound Editing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special | Adam Armitage Alex Sawyer | |||
Best Miniseries – Television or Film | Downton Abbey | |||
Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film | Hugh Bonneville | |||
Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film | Elizabeth McGovern | |||
Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film | Maggie Smith | |||
Best Drama Series | Downton Abbey | |||
Supporting Actor | ||||
Best Fiction Director | Brian Percival | |||
Sound Award | Nigel Heath Alex Sawyer Adam Armitage Mark Holding | |||
Tape & Film Editing Award | John Wilson | |||
Photography Award | David Katznelson | |||
Production Design Award | Donal Woods | |||
Outstanding Achievement in Movies, Mini-Series and Specials | Downton Abbey | |||
Outstanding Actor | Hugh Bonneville | |||
Outstanding Actress | Elizabeth McGovern | |||
Outstanding Actress | ||||
Outstanding Actress | Maggie Smith | |||
Best International Producer | Gareth Neame | |||
Best European Producer | Gareth Neame | |||
Long-form Television | Downton Abbey | |||
Broadcasting Press Guild | Best Drama Series | Downton Abbey | ||
Best Actor | ||||
Best Actress | ||||
Best Actress | ||||
Best Writer | ||||
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries | Maggie Smith | |||
Best Miniseries or Television Film | Downton Abbey | |||
Best Actor in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television | ||||
Best Actress in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television | ||||
Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television | ||||
Banff Fiction Rockies Awards | Best Mini-Series | Downton Abbey | ||
Best Drama Series | Downton Abbey | |||
Photography Award | David Katznelson | |||
Original Title Music Award | John Lunn | |||
HD Drama Programme of the Year | Downton Abbey | |||
TV Choice Awards | Best New Drama | Downton Abbey | ||
American Cinema Editors | Best Edited Miniseries | John Wilson | ||
One-Hour Episodic/Pilot Television | David Katznelson | |||
Biarritz International Festival of Audiovisual Programming 2011 | TV Series or Serial | Downton Abbey | ||
Series 2 | Outstanding Drama Series | Downton Abbey | ||
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series | ||||
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series | ||||
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series | ||||
Brendan Coyle | ||||
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series | ||||
Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series | Julian Fellowes for Episode Seven | |||
Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series | Brian Percival for Episode Seven | |||
Outstanding Art Direction for Single Camera Series | Downton Abbey | |||
Outstanding Costumes for Series | Downton Abbey | |||
Downton Abbey | ||||
Outstanding Hairstyling for Single Camera Series | Downton Abbey | |||
Outstanding Casting for Drama | Downton Abbey | |||
Outstanding Single Camera Picture Editing for Drama | Downton Abbey | |||
Outstanding Sound Mixing for Comedy or Drama | Downton Abbey | |||
Best Supporting Actress | Maggie Smith | |||
YouTube Audience Award | Downton Abbey | |||
Production Design | ||||
Original Music | John Lunn | |||
Costume Design | Susannah Buxton | |||
Programme of the Year | Downton Abbey | |||
Outstanding Achievement in Movies, Miniseries and Specials | Downton Abbey | |||
Best Drama Series | Downton Abbey | |||
Best Drama Actress | ||||
Best Drama TV Series | Downton Abbey | |||
Outstanding Actor | ||||
Outstanding Actress | ||||
Outstanding International Producer | ||||
Outstanding European Producer | ||||
Best Drama | Downton Abbey | |||
Televisual Bulldog Awards | Best Drama | Downton Abbey | ||
Virgin Media TV Awards | Best Drama | Downton Abbey | ||
Basauri Award | Basauri Award for Excellence in the Performing Arts | |||
Best TV Show | Downton Abbey | |||
Drama Programme of the Year | Downton Abbey | |||
Best Supporting Actor in TV Drama | ||||
Hollywood Post Alliance Awards | Outstanding Editing – Television | John Wilson | ||
Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series – Drama | Downton Abbey | |||
Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama | ||||
Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film | ||||
Norman Felton Award for Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television – Drama | Julian Fellowes, Gareth Neame and Liz Trubridge | |||
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series | Downton Abbey | |||
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series | ||||
Art Directors Guild Awards | One-Hour Single Camera Television Series | Donal Woods | ||
TV Times Readers 2012 | Favourite Drama | Downton Abbey | ||
Favourite Actor | Brendan Coyle | |||
Favourite Actress | Siobhan Finneran | |||
Best Drama | Downton Abbey | |||
Actor in a Supporting Role – Television | Allen Leech | |||
Broadcast Awards | International Programme Sales | Downton Abbey | ||
Basauri Awards | Excellence in Performing Arts | Downton Abbey | ||
Music and Sound Awards 2013 | Original Composition (Titles & Branding) | |||
Original Composition (TV Programme) | Downton Abbey | |||
Sound Design (TV Programme) | ||||
Costume Designers Guild Awards 2013 | Outstanding Period/Fantasy Television Series | Caroline McCall | ||
Production Design | Donal Woods | |||
Best Drama Series | Downton Abbey | |||
Outstanding Drama Series | Downton Abbey | |||
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series | ||||
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series | ||||
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series | ||||
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series | ||||
Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series | Julian Fellowes for Episode Four | |||
Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series | Jeremy Webb for Episode Four | |||
Outstanding Art Direction for a Single-Camera Series | Donal Woods, Mark Kebby, Gina Cromwell for Episode Seven | |||
Outstanding Cast for a Drama Series | Jill Trevellick | |||
Outstanding Costumes for a Series | Caroline McCall, Dulcie Scott | |||
Outstanding Hairstyle for a Single-Camera Series | Magi Vaughan, Vanya Pell | |||
John Lunn | ||||
TV Choice Awards | Best Drama Series | Downton Abbey | ||
Best Actor | ||||
Best Series | Downton Abbey | |||
Huading Awards | Best Global Actress in a Drama Series | |||
Best Global Actor in a Drama Series | ||||
Gold Panda Awards | Best TV Series | Downton Abbey | ||
Best Director in a TV Series | ||||
Best Photography in a TV Series | Nigel Willoughby | |||
Gold Panda | Downton Abbey | |||
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series | Downton Abbey | |||
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series | ||||
Series 4 | Outstanding Drama Series | Downton Abbey | ||
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series | Michelle Dockery for Episode One | |||
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series | Jim Carter for Episode One | |||
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series | Joanne Froggatt for Episode Four | |||
Maggie Smith for Episode Eight | ||||
Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series | David Evans for Episode One | |||
Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series | Paul Giamatti for Episode Eight | |||
Outstanding Art Direction for a Period Series, Miniseries, or Movie (Single-Camera) | For Episode Eight | |||
Outstanding Costumes for a Series | For Episode Eight | |||
Outstanding Hairstyling for a Single-Camera Series | For Episode Eight | |||
Outstanding Music Composition for a Series (Original Dramatic Score) | John Lunn for Episode Eight | |||
Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Comedy or Drama Series (One Hour) | For Episode Eight | |||
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series | Downton Abbey | |||
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series | ||||
Best Series | Downton Abbey | |||
Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Miniseries, or Television Film | ||||
Series 5 | Outstanding Drama Series | Downton Abbey | ||
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series | ||||
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series | ||||
Outstanding Production Design For A Narrative Period Program (One Hour Or More) | for episode 9 | |||
Outstanding Casting for a Drama Series | ||||
Outstanding Costumes For A Period/Fantasy Series, Limited Series Or Movie | for episode 9 | |||
Outstanding Hairstyling for a Single-Camera Series | for episode 6 | |||
Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Comedy or Drama Series (One Hour) | for episode 9 | |||
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series | Downton Abbey | |||
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series | ||||
Favorite Network TV Drama | Downton Abbey | |||
Best Drama | Downton Abbey | |||
Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Miniseries, or Television Film | ||||
Series 6 | BAFTA Special Award | Downton Abbey | ||
Best Drama | Downton Abbey | |||
Outstanding Drama Series | Downton Abbey | |||
Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series | ||||
Outstanding Writing For A Drama Series | ||||
Outstanding Directing For A Drama Series | ||||
Outstanding Casting For A Drama Series | Jill Trevellick | |||
Outstanding Cinematography For A Single-Camera Series | Graham Frake | |||
Outstanding Costumes For A Period/Fantasy Series, Limited Series Or Movie | Anna Mary Scott Robbins, Kathryn Tart, Michael Weldon | |||
Outstanding Hairstyling For A Single-Camera Series | Nic Collins, Adele Firth | |||
Outstanding Sound Mixing For A Comedy Or Drama Series (One Hour) | ||||
Outstanding Production Design For A Narrative Period Program (One Hour Or More) | ||||
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series | Downton Abbey |
Awards and nominations of Downton Abbey film | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result | |
2020 | Best Supporting Actress | ||||
2020 | Best Ensemble | Downton Abbey | |||
2020 | Readers' Choice | Downton Abbey | |||
2020 | Actress Defying Age and Ageism | ||||
2020 | Awards Circuit Community Award | Best Costume Design | Anna Robbins | ||
2020 | Best Production Design | Donal Woods Gina Cromwell | |||
2020 | Best Costume Design | Anna Robbins | |||
2020 | CinEuphoria Award | Best Supporting Actress – International Competition | |||
2020 | CinEuphoria Award | Best Ensemble – International Competition | |||
2020 | Excellence in Period Film | Anna Robbins | |||
2020 | Outstanding Film – Wide Release | Downton Abbey | |||
2020 | Best Period and/or Character Hair Styling – Feature-Length Motion Picture | Anne Oldham Elaine Browne Marc Pilcher | |||
2020 | Best Period and/or Character Makeup – Feature-Length Motion Picture | Anne Oldham Elaine Browne Sam Smart | |||
2019 | Costume Designer of the Year | Anna Robbins | |||
2019 | Best Costume Design | Anna Robbins | |||
2019 | Best Production Design | Donal Woods | |||
2019 | Best Ensemble | Downton Abbey | |||
2019 | Best Costume Design | Anna Robbins | |||
2019 | Best Costume Design | Anna Robbins |