Here is everything you need to know about the film before you close the curtains, pop open the bubbly and say goodbye to a British TV institution in style.

(Almost) all your favourites are back

Maggie Smith returns as the Dowager Countess, Hugh Bonneville and Elizabeth McGovern are back as Robert and Cora Crawley… in fact, almost the entire main cast from the TV show makes the transition to the big screen, with the exception of Lady Rosamund Painswick (Samantha Bond), Gladys Denker (Sue Johnston) and Septimus Spratt (Jeremy Swift).

And there are some new faces too

The king and queen are on their way to Downton! Simon Jones plays King George V and Geraldine James takes the role of Queen Mary, as they descend on the manor as part of a royal tour. Unsurprisingly, the visit is a major part of the plot. Imelda Staunton also makes her Downton debut – and clashes with one of our firm faves.

It’s based on a real royal visit

The real-life visit was probably far tamer, but King George V’s visit to Downton in the movie is based on an actual visit he made to a stately home in Yorkshire, called Wentworth Woodhouse. This very mansion was actually used in the film, for the ballroom scenes at Harewood House.

The Dowager Countess has beef

And when Maggie Smith has beef, you know it’s time to get the popcorn out. She’s fallen out with Lady Bagshaw (Staunton), Queen Mary’s lady-in-waiting, over an inheritance issue (how uncouth!). The pair are fighting over who should inherit Lady Bagshaw’s estate, since Violet’s son Robert is Lady Bagshaw’s cousin, and her closest living relative.

And there’s drama in the servant quarters

When the king’s royal servants arrive at Downton, it immediately causes friction with the downstairs staff we know and love. The king’s aides do not hesitate to try and displant Charles Carson, Elsie Hughes and company. You won’t be surprised to hear they aren’t going down without a fight.

Thomas Barrow gets his romantic turn

Now, we don’t want to give too much away, but Robert James-Collier’s Thomas Barrow gets a good amount of the spotlight, and a long-awaited on-screen romance that becomes one of the best and most progressive storylines in the film.

Spot the Harry Potter connection

We already told you Maggie Smith and Imelda Staunton are at loggerheads, but does seeing those two go at it tooth and nail bring back any memories? Yep, it’s round two of Professor McGonagall vs Professor Umbridge, following the events of Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix. Can Smith make it two wins from two? There’s only one way to find out…

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