Mary is the eldest daughter of the Earl and Countess of Grantham, she is stubborn, strong-minded, and a bit spoiled and self-centered. She is Matthew's widow and the mother of Master George the heir to Robert's earldom, after her husband dies she inherits his half of the state. Thus she becomes the agent of Downton, later she gets married again to race driver Henry Talbot.
Matthew, a lawyer, moves to Yorkshire after the former heir to Downton Abbey dies. He has a hard time bonding with the family, given that he is middle class. After fighting on The Great War, his fiancee dies of the Spanish Flu. On christmas of 1919 he proposes to Lady Mary. Matthew dies on a car crash, hours after Mary gives birth to George Crawley, their son.
Sybil is strong minded, she has a modern and political focus. Enabled by the new chauffeur she becomes a women's right avtivist. Much to her family's dismay, she is the first of the sisters to have a job, as a nurse during the First World War. In the most gutrenching scene of the show, Sybil Branson dies of eclampsia at 24 years old, after giving birth to her daughter, Sybbie.
Tom Branson is a lower class mechanic and an irish socialist. He arrives at Downton as the chauffeur, proud of his country and engulf on radical socialist views. He finds his ideal match on Lady Sybil. After becoming a widower, Tom makes a home of the Abbey, he comes to think of the Crawleys as his own. He eventually establishes a car business with Mr Talbot.
An American heiress, saved Downton with her fortune. As Countess, she is the kind and elegant heart of the family. She manages the household with grace, overseeing its transformation into a convalescent home during the war. She is a protective mother and a resilient figure who navigates personal and family crises with quiet strength.
Robert is the Earl of Grantham. Deeply traditional, his focus is the preservation of Downton Abbey and its legacy. He struggles to adapt to the rapidly changing world, which leads to conflicts with his more progressive family members. Despite his flaws and a catastrophic financial decision, he is a loving husband and father.
Violet is Robert's sharp-tongued and formidable mother. A bastion of Victorian tradition, she delivers witty one-liners and resists change at every turn. However, beneath her prickly exterior lies a pragmatic and fiercely protective matriarch who often intervenes to safeguard her family's interests. Her verbal sparring provides some of the series' most memorable moments.
The middle sister is said to have a way with words; eventually she comes to own the magazine of her late beau, killed by the nazis, and father of her illegitimate daughter, Marigold. Edith is an inteligent, kind woman, but she is guilty of the most atrocious crime one can commit on fiction: she is excruciatingly BORING.
A charming and dashing race car driver who captures Lady Mary's heart after Matthew's death. Lacking a title or great fortune, his passion for cars and modern sensibilities initially clash with Mary's world. After a tragedy on the racetrack, he retires and starts a car business with Tom Branson, becoming Mary's second husband.
Matthew's middle-class mother, a trained nurse with a strong sense of social justice. Her progressive and logical worldview often puts her at odds with the Dowager Countess. Isobel dedicates herself to improving the local hospital and helping those in need, eventually finding love again and becoming Lady Merton.
The unyieldingly traditional butler of Downton Abbey. He is fiercely dedicated to the Crawley family, especially Lady Mary. His resistance to change often puts him at odds with the modern world, but his authority is respected by all. His long-standing friendship with Mrs. Hughes blossoms into a touching romance and marriage.
As the head housekeeper, she is the moral compass of the house, known for her pragmatism, kindness, and discretion. She manages the servants with a steady hand and acts as a confidante to many. Her deep bond with Mr. Carson provides a cornerstone of the downstairs world.
Daisy begins as a naive and impressionable scullery maid, the lowest rank in the kitchen. She undergoes a significant transformation, growing into an educated and outspoken young woman. Encouraged by Mrs. Patmore and her father-in-law, Mr. Mason, she pursues her studies and eventually finds her voice and a path to a future beyond service.
Ambitious and often scheming under-butler whose loneliness as a gay man in an intolerant era fuels his bitterness. Initially an antagonist, his complex journey reveals moments of vulnerability, fear during the war, and a deep-seated desire for acceptance. He slowly lets down his guard and ultimately finds his place as a respected butler.
Lady Mary's loyal and kind-hearted lady's maid. She is optimistic and resilient in the face of immense hardship. Her epic love story with Mr. Bates is central to the downstairs narrative, as they endure wrongful imprisonment, a traumatic assault, and constant threats to their happiness.
Lord Grantham's valet and a former army comrade, he is an honorable but tormented man. His limp and mysterious history initially cause friction, but his quiet dignity and unwavering moral code earn him respect. His love for Anna is his driving force, overcoming a manipulative ex-wife and a wrongful murder conviction.