Does Downton Abbey: A New Era Have A Post-Credits Scene?

When Downton Abbey: A New Era is over, here’s whether you should remain seated for a post-credits scene. Written by series creator Julian Fellowes and directed by Simon Curtis, Downton Abbey: A New Era is a sequel to the hit 2019 movie that marks a number of important changes to the lives of the Crawley family and their loyal servants. A New Era directly follows up the events of the 2019 Downton Abbey film and continues its main storylines, specifically in regards to the ailing Dowager Countess, Lady Violet (Maggie Smith).

In Downton Abbey: A New Era, the Crawleys learn that Lady Violet has inherited a villa in the South of France. Robert Crawley, the Earl of Grantham (Hugh Bonneville), and Cora, the Countess of Grantham (Elizabeth McGovern) lead a contingent of the family to the French Riviera to get to the bottom of this conundrum. Joining them are newlyweds Tom Branson (Allen Leech), who married Lucy Smith (Tuppence Middleton), because Lady Violet intends for Tom’s daughter Sybbie (Fifi Hart) to inherit the villa. Meanwhile, a film crew comes to Downton Abbey to shoot a movie. Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) has to oversee the production and deal with the director, Jack Barber (Hugh Dancy), as Downton’s servants fawn over the glamourous actors, Myrna Dalgleish (Laura Haddock) and Guy Dexter (Dominic West).

Unsurprisingly, Downton Abbey: A New Era does not have a post-credits scene. The film is officially over when the end credits roll and there is no tag of any sort teasing another Downton Abbey movie. However, this doesn’t mean it’s necessary to make a hasty exit out of the theater. It’s always worth remaining seated to watch the credits, and not just to show respect to the hundreds of people it took to make the film, which was produced during the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s also worthwhile to admire the roll call of the massive cast of actors who starred in Downton Abbey: A New Era, which has about 30 principal roles in addition to numerous smaller parts and extras. Further, any true Downton Abbey fan will want to soak up the beloved musical score composed by John Lunn because it’s always a treat to listen to the theme from Downton Abbey, especially with the top-notch surround sound in most movie theaters.

The lack of a stinger at the end of Downton Abbey: A New Era doesn’t necessarily indicate that there will or won’t be a Downton Abbey 3. The Downton Abbey sequel more than lives up to its title “A New Era” because the Crawley family undergoes significant life changes and is poised to enter a new decade, the 1930s. As Lady Grantham says in the film, “The modern world comes to Downton!” Further, A New Era further opens up the world of Downton Abbey so that a sequel could see a return to the French Riviera. Indeed, A New Era harkens how Downton Abbey will be changed going forward if there is another film continuing the popular series.

Downton Abbey is a far cry from the massive franchises like the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which utilizes multiple end-credits scenes in its films and Disney+ TV shows. But for its audience and demographic, Downton Abbey is an equally impressive franchise with millions of dedicated fans all over the world. Downton’s popularity has spawned six TV series, two feature films (so far), and a prequel spinoff created by Julian Fellowes, HBO’s The Gilded Age, loosely set in the Downton Abbey universe. So while there’s no surprise tag at the end promising a third film, rest assured, Downton Abbey: A New Era will leave audiences plenty to absorb and ponder if they remain in their seats when the film comes to a close.