On September 26, 2010, the first episode of Downton Abbey was broadcast on ITV. Our critic advised viewers to sign up immediately: “The nights are drawing in, shops are stocking Christmas chocolates in an irritatingly premature fashion, but—praise be—at least there is a new period drama to get us all through autumn,” said Ceri Radford. “And what a drama it is. Last night’s opening episode of Downton Abbey was a sumptuous, instantly riveting glimpse of a world—and family—on the verge of profound change.”
Over six series and 52 episodes, Downton went on to chalk up record ratings, win countless awards and, of course, live on in a run of three follow-up movies, the last of which is currently in theaters. I was there pretty much from the start: as the luckiest superfan alive I visited Highclere Castle five times over the years to interview most of the cast as well as creator Julian Fellowes on several occasions.
