Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale lit up New York City with a dazzling red carpet premiere at Jazz at Lincoln Center on September 8, 2025. From the glittering skyline views to the elegance of the cast and the presence of creator Julian Fellowes himself, the evening captured everything fans love about the world of Downton: elegance, heartfelt, refined, and timeless.

Click below to watch our insider view of this special night...!

The cast arrived one by one, including Michelle Dockery (Lady Mary), Elizabeth McGovern (Cora Crawley), Hugh Bonneville (Robert Crawley), Allen Leech (Tom Branson), Laura Carmichael (Edith Crawley), Joanne Froggatt (Anna Bates), etc. as well some of the cast and crew, including Julian Fellowes (writer/producer), Gareth Neame (producer), Liz Trubridge (producer), and Simon Curtis (director)

Then came the moment that made the evening truly unforgettable: hearing directly from Julian Fellowes. His reflections on the journey of Downton Abbey, how it captured the world’s imagination, and why this finale matters — reminded us that we were celebrating more than a film. We were honoring a cultural touchstone.

For many of us, Downton Abbey has always been more than a show. It has been a place of comfort and escapism, a story that invited us into an era where tradition, love, and resilience intersected. In moments when life felt noisy, Downton offered calm. When we longed for beauty, it offered splendor. When we needed a reminder of human connection, it offered warmth.

This premiere underscored that the series is not just television or film; it is art that has become part of our lives. Fellowes reminded us that while this chapter closes, the heart of Downton will continue to inspire generations of storytellers and dreamers to come, and we couldn't agree more!

Some of our favorite highlights from this special night were...

• Feeling the excitement of the fans all around us and getting to see the cast on the red carpet

• Watching the camaraderie among the cast as they greeted one another. Their bonds as genuine as the ones we’ve seen on screen!

• Experiencing Jazz at Lincoln Center as the backdrop, a venue of timeless beauty that perfectly echoed Downton’s elegance.

• Hearing Fellowes’ gratitude to audiences worldwide, reminding us that stories endure because of the people who carry them in their hearts.

For our readers and community, this premiere represents more than the excitement of a red carpet. It reflects why Red Curtain Addict exists: to bring people closer to the transformative power of the arts. Downton Abbey is proof that when storytelling is crafted with care, it transcends screens and becomes part of who we are.

What makes this film particularly special for us is how deeply it’s rooted in the world we already celebrate. From the opening scene set to an aria in an opera house to the timeless themes of love, tradition, and resilience, Downton Abbey is more than cinema; it’s an extension of the performing arts we champion every day.

While The Grand Finale marks the end of this beloved saga, it leaves us with a sense of gratitude. The film lets fans say "goodbye" to the Crawleys, the staff, the love stories, the triumphs, and even the goodbyes. And most importantly, we celebrate the enduring reminder that art, when shared, connects us all.

For Red Curtain Addict, this night was more than a premiere; it was the beginning of new adventures as we begin covering more artistic films, and we are so excited to take you on our next adventure. 

In the meantime, make sure to grab your tickets to see Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, available in theaters now!