Returning to PBS, Downton Abbey on MASTERPIECE Joins a Celebrated Lineup of Dramas

The iconic series will be available to stream in March and broadcast on PBS beginning in May

ARLINGTON VA; Jan. 29, 2026 - The Crawleys are back! Downton Abbey - the beloved MASTERPIECE series and most popular PBS drama of all time - returns this spring, with all six seasons 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 beginning March 1. Downton Abbey is written and created by Oscar(R) winner Julian Fellowes (The Gilded Age) and co-produced by Carnival Films, which is part of Universal International Studios (a division of Universal Studio Group), and MASTERPIECE.

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 p.m. ET (check local listings) on PBS,PBS.organd the PBS app. Seasons 4-6 will air in 2027.

Full of passion, intrigue, sorrow and joy, Downton Abbey was a runaway hit when it debuted on PBS in 2011 and is widely credited with reigniting America's love for British drama. Spanning the tumultuous years from 1912 to 1925, the series followed the aristocratic Crawley family as they dealt with an ever-changing world. With 59 Emmy(R) nominations, it is one of the most-honored television series ever, earning 12 Emmys(R), three Golden Globes(R), four Screen Actors Guild Awards, a Producers Guild Award and four BAFTAs. The series introduced audiences to unforgettable characters, including the iconic Dowager Countess played by the late Dame Maggie Smith. The celebrated ensemble also includes Hugh Bonneville, Michelle Dockery, Elizabeth McGovern, Jim Carter, Dan Stevens, Joanne Froggatt, Penelope Wilton, Phyllis Logan, Laura Carmichael, Brendan Coyle, Lesley Nicol, Sophie McShera, Robert James-Collier, Allen Leech, Kevin Doyle, Samantha Bond, David Robb, Raquel Cassidy and Michael Fox.

MASTERPIECE Head of Scripted Content and Executive Producer Susanne Simpson notes, "It was an honor to present all six, glorious seasons of Downton Abbey on MASTERPIECE. The magic of Julian Fellowes' blend of drama and humor played out by the exceptional ensemble cast made for the most successful series in MASTERPIECE's history. I'm thrilled that we will now be sharing it with a new generation of viewers who can fall in love with this beautiful, engaging and inspiring series."

"We're proud to make all six seasons widely available - whether viewers are rediscovering the series or experiencing it for the first time - across PBS-owned platforms or PBS Masterpiece on Prime Video, ensuring this iconic drama continues to reach audiences wherever and however they choose to watch," shared Andrea Downing, President, PBS Distribution.

In addition to the return of Downton Abbey, audiences can explore PBS Passport's spring drama collection, a curated selection of romantic and literary dramas marked by passion, intrigue and timeless storytelling. The collection includes the highly anticipated premieres of The Forsytes on MASTERPIECE and The Count of Monte Cristo on MASTERPIECE, with full seasons available to stream on premiere night, alongside favorites such as Tom Jones on MASTERPIECE, Northanger Abbey on MASTERPIECE and Sanditon on MASTERPIECE. Additional drama offerings with PBS Passport include international series from WALTER PRESENTS, such as Mademoiselle Holmes, Inspector Ricciardi and The Mountain Detective.

Downton Abbey is executive produced by Gareth Neame, Julian Fellowes, Liz Trubridge, and Nigel Marchant. Chris Croucher is the producer. Susanne Simpson is the Head of Scripted Content and Executive Producer of MASTERPIECE. MASTERPIECE is presented on PBS by GBH Boston. The series is distributed by NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution.

About MASTERPIECE

With 83 Primetime Emmys(R) and 20 Peabody Awards, MASTERPIECE programs have been essential Sunday night viewing for millions of fans for over 50 years. Susanne Simpson is the executive producer. Series funding for MASTERPIECE is provided by Viking Cruises, Raymond James, The MASTERPIECE Trust, and public television viewers. Produced for PBS by GBH Boston, MASTERPIECE is known for hits such as All Creatures Great and Small, Sherlock, Downton Abbey and Wolf Hall, and beloved classics such as Upstairs Downstairs, Prime Suspect, The Forsyte Saga and Poldark. For more information, please visit pbs.org/masterpiece and follow us on social media @masterpiecepbs.

About PBS

PBS, with more than 330 member stations, offers all Americans the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and digital content. Each month, PBS reaches over 36 million adults on linear primetime television, 16 million users on PBS-owned streaming platforms, 56 million viewers on YouTube, and 10 million followers on social media, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature, and public affairs and to take front-row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS's broad array of programs has been consistently honored by the industry's most coveted award competitions. As the number one educational media brand, PBS KIDS helps children 2-8 build critical skills, enabling them to find success in school and life.Delivered through member stations, PBS KIDS offers high-quality content on TV - including a PBS KIDS channel -  and streaming free on pbskids.org and the PBS KIDS Video app, games on the PBS KIDS Games app, and in communities across America. Teachers of children from pre-K through 12th grade turn to PBS LearningMedia for digital content and services that help bring classroom lessons to life. More information about PBS is available at PBS.org, one of the leading dot-org websites on the internet, Facebook, Instagram, or through our apps for mobile and connected devices. Specific program information and updates for press are available at pbs.org/pressroom or by following PBS Communications on X.

About Carnival Films

Carnival Films is a London-based television and feature film production company, part of Universal International Studios, a division of Universal Studio Group. Led by Chief Executive Officer Gareth Neame and Managing Director Nigel Marchant, Carnival Films is one of the UK's leading drama producers, with hundreds of hours of compelling content reaching millions worldwide.

With an award-winning track record of delivering premium drama, Carnival Films continues to bring must-watch television to global audiences. "The Day of the Jackal", a bold contemporary reimagining of the classic thriller starring Eddie Redmayne and Lashana Lynch, became the biggest new Sky Original ever and the most watched new drama on Peacock. "Lockerbie: A Search for Truth", a gripping five part drama about the Lockerbie bombing starring Colin Firth, and the psychological thriller "All Her Fault", starring Sarah Snook, also debuted to widespread critical acclaim.

Carnival's legacy is built on groundbreaking storytelling and includes the global phenomenon "Downton Abbey." Spanning six seasons and two feature films, the franchise captivated audiences in over 250 territories and became the most critically well-received TV show globally, according to Guinness World Records. The first "Downton Abbey" feature film grossed over 200 million dollars worldwide, making it the highest-grossing title in Focus Features history. The sequel, "Downton Abbey: A New Era," was released in 2022, followed by a third instalment, "Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale," in 2025.

Other acclaimed productions include "The Last Kingdom," which ran for five hit seasons before concluding with Netflix's number one global feature "Seven Kings Must Die," as well as "Belgravia" and the original sequel series "Belgravia: The Next Chapter" for MGM+ and ITVX.

With more than 200 international awards and honours, including Primetime Emmys, Golden Globes, and BAFTAs, Carnival Films continues to push the boundaries of global storytelling, building on a history that includes titles such as "Poirot," "Whitechapel," "Hotel Babylon," "Dracula," and acclaimed mini-series including "Traffik," "Any Human Heart," "The Lost Honour of Christopher Jefferies," and "The Hollow Crown" anthology.

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