Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale will usher in the end of the long-running franchise when it is released in September. However, details concerning the cast of The Grand Finale suggest that Mary (Michelle Dockery), one of the most beloved characters in the series, may not get a very satisfying ending. This follows one of the saddest moments in Downton Abbey: A New Era, which saw some notable changes to the cast of the franchise. Crossing from a hit television series into a hit film series has been a challenging move for Downton Abbey, and there have been several difficult ramifications.

Across six seasons of television, including holiday specials, and now three movies, the Downton Abbey timeline has grown big and complex. Still, amid such a large and bold cast of exciting characters, Mary Talbot, née Crawley, stands near the top of the cast as one of the best figures in the franchise. However, after the character’s sad turn in the early parts of the series, especially with her relationship with Matthew (Dan Stevens), there was hope that her final appearance might end on a happy note. With new casting details, this seems less likely than before.

Matthew Goode Is Not Confirmed To Appear In Downton Abbey 3

Henry Talbot May Not Appear In The New Film

The promotion has begun on Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale with the film’s first poster and the release of the cast list. Alongside familiar faces like Hugh Bonneville’s Robert Grantham and Elizabeth McGovern’s Cora, new stars include Alessandro Nivola and Joely Richardson, both in undisclosed roles. While these names, new and old, are great inclusions to the cast, the absence of Matthew Goode as Mary’s husband, Henry, is especially glaring.

Goode was previously absent from Downton Abbey: A New Era due to scheduling commitments with the Paramount+ series The Offer. It is unclear if scheduling caused him to be absent once again. The Grand Finale was filmed between May and August of 2024, while Goode filmed a new series, Department Q, between February and June of 2024. It is possible that this filming may have impacted his ability to appear in the third installment as well.

Henry’s Absence Was A Big Problem For Mary In Downton Abbey 2

The Second Film Went Out Of Its Way To Explain Why Henry Was Gone

Mary’s story in Downton Abbey: A New Era felt somewhat stunted, as if the filmmakers could not do what they wished to do with her character. While Henry is not among the most beloved characters in Downton Abbey, opinions concerning him grew harsher when he was absent from the last film. Mary was able to dismiss his absence due to his interest in racing cars, but this felt very sad. With Jack Barber’s denied advances at the end of that film, it seems there are many more places Mary could go in the sequel.

Unfortunately, as the film will serve as a conclusion to the whole series, Mary’s both heartless and loving actions will likely not receive enough focus in the new installment to justify giving her another love story. If Henry is not going to appear in the new film, the creative team must work hard to give logical but satisfying closure to Mary’s story, even without him. However, there are several ways that this could be done, and each of these could be a rich and rewarding way to finish off the franchise while giving Mary’s story a satisfying ending.

Mary’s Downton Abbey 3 Story Could Go Several Ways

Lady Mary Needs A Satisfying Ending In The New Film

Henry could once again be an absentee husband in the new film, although this might feel a bit contrived after this excuse was used in A New Era. Still, this option might make more sense than putting the characters through a divorce or having Henry pᴀss away offscreen, as each of these might be a more distressing ending than Mary deserves. After her early relationship with Matthew in the series was fraught with tragedy, Mary must have a happy ending. This happy ending does not need to have Henry involved.

Understanding Mary’s story as Downton Abbey ends with the next film is extremely important. This is the last installment in a multimedia franchise that has lasted for more than 15 years, and seeing Dockery’s beloved character receive a satisfying sendoff feels necessary. Whether or not Henry does appear in the upcoming film, proper closure must be given to Lady Mary, allowing her to finish the series in an empowered place. Following recent comments on how The Grand Finale honors Maggie Smith, it would make sense that the other characters be treated with respect.

Downton Abbey will soon come to a final close with the release of Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, but the characters will live on in the imaginations of audiences. Giving Lady Mary a satisfying ending in the film is essential for the lasting impact of the overall franchise. Goode’s absence from the Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale casting list is certainly a concern, but hopefully the creatives understand Mary’s importance and are still able to provide her with a satisfying ending when the film releases this year.

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale will be released in theaters on September 12, 2025.