Downton Abbey: The London Season

It’s 1923, the Prince of Wales is hot — although the jazz is even hotter — and the Crawleys decamp to London en masse for naughty Lady Rose MacClare’s (Lily James) “coming out” — her presentation at the palace, and all the delights of the season.

Where the Crawley’s go, so follow all the staff — leaving only the slimy Thomas Barrow to hold the fort at Downton Abbey — and Lady Cora’s horrid mother, Martha Levinson (Shirley MacLaine), the only character to get the better of the imperious Dowager Countess Violet (Maggie Smith).

Lady Mary is juggling several admirers, Lady Edith is horribly conflicted, and Rose, Bates and the Duke rescue the Prince of Wales from a shocking indiscretion, saving the future of the monarchy. Beautiful costumes, wonderful sets and enticing characters make this special — an absolute delight to watch. —