Who is your favourite Downton sister?

[AWiseWomanOnceSaidFuckThisShit]

Having a Netflix binge. I bloody love Edith I'm rooting for her! She's constantly getting hurt and being overlooked by everyone. I know she comes across as bitter and downtrodden but yet she's kind and helpful and supportive. She's the one I'd want as a friend :-)

It wasn’t justbirth order Finally, it was also that she was prettier than Edith and she knew it.

Me too! I need faces to be very different or they all merge into one! I always struggled to see the difference between Alfred and Jimmy as well.

Wasn't Alfred about a foot taller? I know what you mean though — the fact they have the same uniform isn't always that helpful when you don't know them that well.

Alfred was tall, ginger and looked a bit gormless. Jimmy was average height but blond and handsome.

Yeah Jimmy was the good looking blonde guy. Alfred and William (RIP) were the two gormless looking bookends

(although did William snuff it before Alfred came along? My Downton timeline is all over the place)

I think so. He died at the end of S2 and Alfred joined in S3. He was O'Brian'S nephew IIRC

Yes William was gone, then Alfred slotted into Thomas’ gormless wet lettuce to bully space not long after.

Jimmy was boy band material.

Wasn't there the implication that the Lady he worked for before used to flirt with him a bit? I remember Carson being very unamused and insisted on calling him James.

Yes, he'd had a fling with Duckface from Four Weddings and a Funeral and got back in the sack with her when she visited Downton, only to get the actual sack when they were found in flagrante!

@3luckystars

Carson is married to Mrs Umbridge (from Harry Potter) in real life.

I love this interview with them both.

www.saga.co.uk/magazine/entertainment/celebrities/jim-carter-imelda-staunton-downton-abbey

Edith’s wedding dresses were the best. Both of them.

I think Edith is gorgeous. She's really striking whereas Mary and Sybil were pretty.

So glad to read that others prefer Edith's looks, too. I understand that her character was intentionally shown to be less than Mary in every way.

It would be a very rare character who could shine in the shadow of a 'better' sister. As it happens, I much prefer her colouring and style to the other sisters'. And was so glad when it all came good for her in the end.

Do hope her story continues happy ever after and someone else has to play the 'ugly duckling' character.

I think Edith has the kind of looks that can be made to look quite dowdy but at other times she could really glow and look quite stunning, and that worked well for her character's arc.

Just noticed the movie is on Netflix it was real comfort viewing . I am intrigued to see what storylines the second one will feature but don’t wish to spoil the movie for anyone who’s yet to see it .

Oh thanks for the 'nod' on the film being available to watch on Netflix, @SylviasMotherSaid. That's my evening viewing sorted for tonight then!

I bloomin love Downton, the costumes, the scenery, the ridiculous storylines. Over the summer holidays I watched it from start to finish! Violet is wonderful, so acerbic, and I love the way that her friendship with Isobel grew. Isobel is one of those women who, given the chance, would have been a doctor or a great politician.
I thought Ethel's storyline was good, and well played. I liked O'Brien and the devious minx Braithwaite.
Mrs Hughes is brilliant and manages to get the measure of every person and situation. Also, she doesn't fawn over the family like Carson.

Why didn't Mary end up with Charles Blake?
I thought he was going to fight for her, then he disappeared.

I'm so sorry if that's a spoiler for anyone! Didn't think

In this house we refer to Anna and Bates as 'The criminal Bates's'
Seriously who would keep servants charged with not one but two murders?

Oh hello @Maireas fancy seeing you here!

It was odd the way Charles disappeared - maybe the actor got another job.

Recently I saw him play the villain in Knightfall, which was set in the Middle Ages. That was a bit of a Downton reunion as the hero was played by Tony Gillingham and the pope was none other than Mr Carson!

@Northernlurker - coincidence? I think not. O'Brien didn't go to work for Susan Shrimpy. They murdered her.

Hello, Deftly my friend! Yes, when Queen Mary appeared in the film I was checking out her jewels! I think she was wearing my tiara!

Edith.

I can't warm to Mary at all.