Ep 1. Episode 1

On a rural English estate in the early 20th century, the aristocratic Crawley family and their household prepare for the arrival of a new heir who could transform their fortunes. The family's financial future is in jeopardy as the current heir, a cousin who is twice removed, has died on the Titanic, leaving no male heirs. This has led to the family scrambling to figure out who the next heir is while navigating the family's complicated relationships and tensions with their domestic servants.

In the first episode, we are introduced to the main characters and their roles in the household. The Earl of Grantham, Robert Crawley, played by Hugh Bonneville, is the head of the family and the estate owner. He is married to Cora Crawley, an American heiress played by Elizabeth McGovern, whose wealth has helped to sustain the estate for years. Their eldest daughter, Mary Crawley, played by Michelle Dockery, is a headstrong young woman who is expected to marry into a respectable family to secure her own future and the future of her family's estate.

We are also introduced to the Crawley’s three other daughters: Edith, played by Laura Carmichael, who is the middle child and often overlooked by her parents; Sybil, played by Jessica Brown Findlay, who is the youngest and the most revolutionary of the daughters; and cousin Matthew, played by Dan Stevens, who is the new heir to the estate. Matthew is a lawyer from Manchester who is thrown into the world of aristocracy and finds himself struggling to navigate the complex social hierarchy.

The household staff is lead by the butler, Mr. Carson, played by Jim Carter, who runs the household with strict discipline. His right-hand woman is the housekeeper, Mrs. Hughes, played by Phyllis Logan, who takes care of the domestic side of the estate. The head cook, Mrs. Patmore, played by Lesley Nicol, is responsible for keeping the family and their guests well-fed while dealing with the challenges of running a kitchen without the benefit of modern day conveniences.

Other notable servants include the head footman, Thomas Barrow, played by Rob James-Collier, who is ambitious and willing to do whatever it takes to climb the social ladder; and the head housemaid, Anna Smith, played by Joanne Froggatt, who is a kind and capable young woman, but with a secret of her own.

As the Crawley family and their staff prepare for the arrival of Matthew, tensions rise as it becomes clear that his arrival will change the status quo of the estate. The staff members fear for their jobs and the Crawley family worries about the impact on their reputation as they confront the possibility of losing their home and social status. The arrival of a new potential suitor for Mary, a handsome and charming man named Mr. Pamuk, played by Theo James, adds to the intrigue and drama of the episode.

Overall, the first episode sets up the world of Downton Abbey and introduces us to the characters and their relationships. It does so with a deft hand, skillfully balancing the luxurious world of the aristocracy with the harsh realities of life for those who work in service. The episode sets the stage for the rest of the series, leaving us eager to see what the future holds for the Crawley family and their household staff.