Cast and Crew

Creator: Julian Fellowes

Leading Role: Hugh Bonneville, Laura Carmichael and Jim Carter

Summary of  Downton Abbey Season 3 DVD Box Set

Set in Summer 1920. With the future of Downton hanging in the balance, Mary and the Dowager Countess conspire to show Downton at its grandest, thereby persuading Mrs Levinson to give Downton more money and save them from financial ruin. Their attempts are impeded by the oven breaking down, forcing Mrs Levinson to throw the impromptu party herself. She reveals, when finally asked for help, that though she will "entertain them in New York" she cannot provide them money, as her own late husband tied it up much as Violet's did, feeling the Crawleys had more than their share. She laments their impending loss but tells them they have to adapt to the changing world, and states her intent to return to America. Meanwhile downstairs, O'Brien and Thomas wage war against one another due to Alfred's recent promotion to valet to Matthew, whilst Mrs Levinson's maid takes a shine to Alfred. Mrs Hughes faces a cancer scare that she shares only with Mrs Patmore and Doctor Clarkson, and Mrs Isobel Crawley finds Ethel has become a prostitute.