Downton tragedy sees ratings soar past the X Factor
SHOCK exits and tearful scenes are usually X Factor territory. But it seems that Downton Abbey has taken note – and managed to beat the talent show at its own game.
Sunday night’s episode, in which one of the ITV drama’s most popular characters died in childbirth, saw audience ratings soar above the X Factor for the third consecutive week.
Lady Sybil, played by Jessica Brown-Findlay, died of eclampsia in harrowing scenes as her family wept at her bedside.
The heart- breaking episode helped Downton attract an average of 9.5million viewers – 100,000 more than the X Factor’s results show, which aired on ITV beforehand.
However, many fans were shocked at the death of the Earl of Grantham’s youngest daughter. She was the fourth character to die prematurely in the series.
Previous episodes have seen Matthew Crawley’s fiancée, Lavinia Swire, succumb to a deadly flu virus, footman William programme. Downton Abbey. Mason die in the Battle of the You have ruined me.’ Danielle Somme, and most dramatically, Styles added: ‘Cried like a baby at Turkish diplomat Kemal Pamuk Downton Abbey. Probably one of suffer a fatal heart attack in Lady the saddest on screen deaths I’ve Mary’s bed. ever seen!’
Writing on Twitter, viewer And Rob Smith tweeted: ‘Watched Lucie Jones said: ‘ Oh my gosh... Downton. How could Julian I’ve never cried so much at a TV Fellowes do this to me? I’m in shock. No warning. Just bang!.’
The writers managed to keep the death of Lady Sybil – who shocked the household in series two by running away with Irish chauffeur Tom Branson, played by Allen Leech – a complete surprise despite hints from its executive producer.
Rebecca Eaton revealed last April that a key character would be killed off, saying: ‘Somebody will be born, and somebody will die. Somebody pretty key in the cast is unfortunately not going to make it.’
Miss Brown- Findlay, 23, has already started planning her post-Downton career. She has been signed to star in Hollywood film Winter’s Tale alongside Colin Farrell and Russell Crowe.
Brendan Coyle, who plays valet John Bates, has told how the creators have decided when to end the drama. ‘I can pretty much say all of us know when Downton is going to end,’ he said.
‘This is a show with a finite life.’