‘Downton Abbey’ Sets PBS Return Date After “Franchise-Ending” Movie

1 week ago 9

Published Feb 3, 2026, 11:50 AM EST

Lade Omotade is a News and Feature Author at Collider with a passion for exploring the ever-evolving world of the Film & TV industry. Her work centers on covering the latest news, from casting announcements and franchise scoops to streaming updates and behind-the-scenes shifts that shape the way stories are told.

Omotade approaches storytelling with both professional insight and unapologetic fandom; digging into what makes a franchise successful, spotlighting rising voices in Hollywood, and asking the questions fans are already buzzing about. Her writing reflects that mix: part industry analysis, part fan excitement, and always grounded in a love for the craft of storytelling.

Downton Abbey fans are in for a glorious treat come March, and it's definitely worth waiting for! Only a few months ago, Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, which marked the end of the beloved franchise, was released to critical acclaim, with a Certified Fresh rating of 92% at the time. The film provided a perfect conclusion to the beautiful story of the Crawleys and their servants after over a decade of following their journey on screens. The Grand Finale was released on September 12, 2025, exactly fifteen years after the premiere of the original series, which will soon be much easier for fans to watch again.

Created and co-written by Julian Fellowes, Downton Abbey premiered on ITV in the UK on September 26, 2010, before airing on PBS in the US on January 9, 2011. After 6 seasons and 52 episodes, including 5 Christmas specials, the iconic series wrapped on December 25, 2015, but that wasn't the ultimate end. Two film adaptations followed in 2019 and 2022, before The Grand Finale last year. All the same, it's been a while since the series aired on PBS, but fans will be glad to hear it's making a splendid return this spring; however, there's a catch.

Downton Abbey will be available to stream with PBS Passport beginning Sunday, March 1, 2026. All seasons will also be available to stream with PBS Masterpiece on Prime Video that same day. Broadcasts of Seasons 1-3 are scheduled on PBS on Sunday evenings: Season 1 from May 17 to June 7, Season 2 from June 14 to July 26, and Season 3 from August 2 to September 13, 2026, beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET on PBS, PBS.org, and the PBS app. As for Seasons 4 to 6, the episodes will air in 2027.

'Downton Abbey' Concluded in a Fitting Way!

Described as a "franchise-ending" movie, The Grand Finale saw many of the original series' cast members reprise their roles, including Michelle Dockery, Laura Carmichael, and Hugh Bonneville. While many fans hoped the movie wouldn't truly be the end, Fellowes had already confirmed it would be, and he had a simple reason. "I didn't really want to get into the Nazis and Germany and the lead up to the Second World War," he shared about ending the Downton Abbey franchise. "I wanted to leave at a time when that had not yet become apparent as a threat." Besides, the team had reached the end of their contract, according to the creator, who added, "It was time to set them free."

Downton Abbey returns to PBS in March. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.