Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale will bring the beloved franchise to a close, but some familiar faces are missing. After six seasons of TV and two movies, Julian Fellowes’ British period drama looks to go out on an emotional note when Downton Abbey 3 releases in September. The new movie will pick up with the Crawleys and their staff in 1930 as they prepare for the future and the next stages of their lives. Most of the core characters, from Mary (Michelle Dockery) to Mr. Carson (Jim Carter), will return.

However, there are a number of Downton Abbey characters who, as it stands right now, will be side-stepping the upcoming movie. As it is, The Grand Finale must contend with the absence of the Dowager Countess, Violet (the late Maggie Smith), as she pᴀssed away at the end of the previous movie. Several prominent cast members have publicly departed the franchise over the years and were never expected to return, but there are plenty who have seemingly made quieter exits.

6

Dr. Clarkson

Played By David Robb

As one of Downton Abbey‘s most reliable recurring characters, Dr. Richard Clarkson (David Robb) appeared in every season of the television show and the second movie, 2022’s A New Era. The local doctor made frequent visits to Downton to help with various medical matters – most notably in season 3, when Lady Sybil (Jessica Brown Findlay) died from complications of giving birth – and was prominently featured in season 2, when World War II sent scores of injured soldiers to the area.

Dr. Clarkson’s apparent absence from The Grand Finale isn’t too surprising. Outside of his brief, attempted courtship of Isobel (Penelope Wilton), he’s rarely had a true ongoing storyline alongside the other characters, and ᴀssuming there aren’t any major medical complications in the new movie, he wouldn’t have a place. Still, as The Grand Finale will conclude the franchise, Dr. Clarkson could’ve made one last appearance to close out the Crawleys’ time in the village.

5

Rosamund Painswick

Played By Samantha Bond

Similar to Dr. Clarkson, Lady Rosamund Painswick (Samantha Bond) was a prominent recurring character throughout Downton Abbey‘s run. As Violet’s daughter and Robert’s (Hugh Bonneville) sister, she further fleshed out the central Crawley family and acted as a sounding board for several characters. She last appeared in A New Era, but she didn’t have a storyline of her own. With the Crawleys expected to say goodbye in The Grand Finale, it would make sense for her to appear even briefly, but Bond is not among the confirmed ensemble.

4

Martha Levinson

Played By Shirley MacLaine

In season 3, screen legend Shirley MacLaine made her debut as Martha Levinson, Cora’s (Elizabeth McGovern) opinionated American mother. Her time on the show was ultimately brief, only appearing in three episodes total, but her arrival was notable for reasons beyond MacLaine’s icon status. It was a rare peek into Cora’s pre-Downton life, and a sharp reminder that she came from a very different world.

As MacLaine hasn’t appeared in a Downton Abbey project since season 4, it might not seem surprising that she hasn’t been confirmed to return for The Grand Finale. However, her onscreen son, Paul Giamatti, will star in the movie, even though his character, Harold, only featured in one episode. Though what brings Harold back isn’t yet clear, it could’ve been an opportunity to also revisit Martha. MacLaine hasn’t retired from acting, most recently appearing in Only Murders in the Building season 2, but perhaps she chose not to return. Nevertheless, hopefully The Grand Finale will provide some insight into where she is.

3

Rose MacClare-Aldridge

Played By Lily James

Lady Rose (Lily James) courted a great deal of scandal after she joined Downton Abbey in season 3. Known for her rebellious nature and shocking relationships – considering the time period – Rose stood out from the Crawley family because she was so willing to embrace the changing times. Her time on the show came to a happy end after she married Atticus Aldridge (Matt Barber) and moved to New York, though she later returned for the series finale.

Though Rose wasn’t as prominent a character as Mary or Edith (Laura Carmichael), James’ rising star power since the end of Downton Abbey has only increased her status among viewers. James went on to lead projects such as Disney’s live-action Cinderella, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, and the Hulu miniseries Pam & Tommy, for which she earned an Emmy nomination. As wonderful as it’s been to see James grow in her career, it’s also likely why she hasn’t revisited Downton Abbey.

James skipped both the 2019 movie and its sequel, and unless she makes a surprise appearance in the movie, she won’t be back for The Grand Finale. Since Rose is settled down at this point in the Downton Abbey timeline, her story has arguably reached a natural endpoint, but it would be nice to see her reunite with Mary and the other Crawleys. Additionally, the show never got the chance to really delve into her experience with motherhood, an element that would give her a new story. For now, though, the door appears shut.

2

Maud Bagshaw

Played By Imelda Staunton

Imelda Staunton’s Maud is an interesting character to include on this list because, unlike everyone else, she first debuted in the original Downton Abbey movie, not the show. She joined the ensemble as a distant relative of Robert’s who was hiding a mᴀssive secret. Under Violet’s intense scrutiny, that secret later came to light – her companion Lucy (Tuppence Middleton) was actually her daughter, born out of wedlock – and she became a key member of the family, particularly after Lucy and Tom Branson (Allen Leech) got married in A New Era.

Despite her appearance in both movies, however, it looks like Maud won’t be returning for The Grand Finale. Staunton isn’t included in the cast list, and she wasn’t shown in the Downton Abbey 3 trailer. This is somewhat curious, seeing as she was the one who confirmed the movie was in development in the first place, but that can be explained by her real-life marriage to Jim Carter. Though Maud could still make a brief appearance in The Grand Finale, she is currently unconfirmed.

1

Henry Talbot

Played By Matthew Goode

Much has been said about Matthew Goode’s absence from Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale. The Discovery of Witches star joined the franchise in the season 5 Christmas special, playing Henry Talbot, the racecar-driving suitor who stole Mary’s heart. Henry and Mary got married and were expecting their first child by the end of the series, and Goode made a brief appearance in the 2019 movie, swooping in at the end to dance with Mary at the final ball.

However, he didn’t return for A New Era, and his absence was noticeable. Mary confided in Edith that she felt she couldn’t compare to Henry’s love of cars, and she held herself back from a potential romance with visiting film director Jack Barber (Hugh Dancy), even though she was clearly stung by Henry’s continued unavailability. The issues in their marriage promise to continue into The Grand Finale, as Goode himself has confirmed he won’t be in the movie.

In an interview with Radio Times, Goode said that his shooting schedule for Netflix’s Dept. Q prevented him from returning, as well as a knee injury that required surgery. He also threw in a small dig at his character, claiming that Henry had become “a bit of a wet lettuce.” Whereas other missing Downton Abbey cast members could make a surprise cameo, it’s definite that Henry won’t be joining his wife for The Grand Finale, leaving her to say goodbye on her own.