Masterpiece Classic: Downton Abbey Season 3

Airs Sundays, March 3 & 10, 2013

The Great War is over and a long-awaited engagement is on, but all is not tranquil at Downton Abbey as wrenching social changes, romantic intrigues, and personal crises grip the majestic English country estate for a third thrilling season on PBS beginning in January 2013.

Above: The Great War is over and a long-awaited engagement is on, but all is not tranquil at Downton Abbey as wrenching social changes, romantic intrigues, and personal crises grip the majestic English country estate for a third thrilling season on PBS beginning in January 2013.

The Great War is over and the long-awaited engagement of Lady Mary and Matthew is on, but all is not tranquil at Downton Abbey as wrenching social changes, romantic intrigues, and personal crises grip the majestic English country estate.

Shirley MacLaine (as Martha Levinson) joins the much-loved cast, which includes Dame Maggie Smith (as Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham), Elizabeth McGovern (as Cora, Countess of Grantham), Hugh Bonneville (as Robert, Earl of Grantham), Dan Stevens (as Matthew Crawley), Michelle Dockery (as Lady Mary Crawley), Jim Carter (as Mr. Carson, The Butler), Penelope Wilton (as Isobel Crawley) and many others. “No family is ever what it seems from the outside,” observes Smith’s shrewd character.

The Locations

Explore MASTERPIECE'S most iconic filming locations, including "Downton Abbey's" Highclere Castle.

Enter the 2013 MASTERPIECE Classic Sweepstakes

Enter the 2013 MASTERPIECE Classic Sweepstakes daily thru April 30, 2013, for a chance to win a 5-day, 4-night trip for two adults from the U.S. to Britain, including VIP tours of Highclere Castle (the setting for "Downton Abbey"), Kensington Palace, Selfridges & Co. and more!

Which Downton Abbey Job Is Right For You?

Take a break from your dream job – or escape from your mundane one. Find out which job you’re best suited for at Downton Abbey! Take the quiz to find out, and then share your job announcement with your friends on Facebook and Twitter.

A Conversation with the Countess: Lady Fiona Carnarvon

As the eighth and current countess of Highclere Castle, the real-life setting for MASTERPIECE'S "Downton Abbey," Lady Fiona Carnarvon was inspired to share the true story of Highclere Castle's conversion to a hospital during WWI. From diaries, letters and photos straight out of the Edwardian era, she produced "Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey." View the slideshow and read the full interview with Lady Carnarvon in which Carnarvon reveals Highclere's parallels and differences with a certain fictional great house.

Episode One repeats on Sunday, March 3, 2013 at 6 p.m. on KPBS TV - Wedding guests descend on Downton Abbey, where disasters — large and small — threaten. One is Cora’s freewheeling American mother, who tries to loosen up her in-laws.

If you missed the first episode, it is available for online viewing through Sunday, March 3, 2013.

Episode Two repeats on Sunday, March 3, 2013 at 8 p.m. on KPBS TV - The fate of Downton Abbey hinges on a letter from a dead man. Edith and Sir Anthony face their own fateful moment. Mrs. Hughes confronts a crisis.

If you missed the second episode, it is available for online viewing through Sunday, March 3, 2013.

Episode Three repeats on Sunday, March 3, 2013 at 9 p.m. on KPBS TV - Two social revolutions arrive at Downton Abbey: the Irish civil war and the fight for women’s suffrage. A mysterious conspiracy keeps Anna and Bates apart.

If you missed the third episode, it is available for online viewing through Sunday, March 3, 2013.

Episode Four repeats on Sunday, March 10, 2013 at 5 p.m. on KPBS TV - The Crawley family faces its severest test yet. Meanwhile, new faces try to fit into the tight-knit circle of servants. New evidence turns up in a baffling case.

If you missed the fourth episode, it is available for online viewing through Sunday, March 3, 2013.

Episode Five repeats on Sunday, March 10, 2013 at 6 p.m. on KPBS TV - Things go badly amiss at Downton Abbey. Robert and Cora are not speaking. The servants are shunning Matthew’s mother, Isobel. And Matthew and Robert have fallen out. Bates takes a gamble.

If you missed the fifth episode, it is available for online viewing through Sunday, March 3, 2013.

Episode Six repeats on Sunday, March 10, 2013 at 7 p.m. on KPBS TV - Change arrives in a big way for several key characters at Downton Abbey. A yearly cricket match with the village sees old scores settled and new plots hatched.

If you missed the sixth episode, it is available for online viewing through Sunday, March 3, 2013.

Episode Seven repeats on Sunday, March 10, 2013 at 9 p.m. on KPBS TV - The Crawleys head to a Scottish hunting lodge, while the downstairs staff stays behind at Downton Abbey. New romances flare up, and a crisis unfolds.

If you missed the seventh episode, it is available for online viewing through Sunday, March 3, 2013.

MASTERPIECE is on Facebook, and you can follow @masterpiecepbs on Twitter. Visit video.kpbs.org/program/masterpiece/ to watch full episodes and more from MASTERPIECE.

Video

Downton Abbey: Season Three Preview

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Above: Are you eagerly anticipating the return of "Downton Abbey" on January 6, 2013? Get an early glimpse at the new arrivals and big changes ahead.

Video

Downton Abbey Season 3: The Wait is Over Preview

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Video

Masterpiece Classic: Downton Abbey: Official Seasons 1 & 2 Recap

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Above: Are you a fan of MASTERPIECE'S "Downton Abbey?" Check out this fun overview of "Downton Abbey's" first two seasons in preparation for Season 3, premiering on PBS's MASTERPIECE on January 6, 2013.

Video

Downton Abbey: The Cast Preview Season 3

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Above: "Downton Abbey" stars Hugh Bonneville and Michelle Dockery discuss the future and fortunes of the Crawley family post war in this season 3 preview.

Video

Downton Abbey: Change in Season 3

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Above: Hugh Bonneville (Robert), Elizabeth McGovern (Cora), and Michelle Dockery (Lady Mary) discuss what's ahead in season three and how their characters will adapt...for better and for worse. Find out for yourself when "Downton Abbey" Season 3 premieres, Sunday, January 6, 2013 on MASTERPIECE.

Video

Downton Abbey, Season 3: A Scene from Episode One

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Above: Be the first to see a scene from "Downton Abbey" season 3 featuring Maggie Smith and Shirley MacLaine. Season 3 premieres on PBS's Masterpiece beginning on Sunday, January 6, 2013.

Video

Downton Abbey: Julian Fellowes on Playing Favorites

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Above: Does "Downton Abbey" creator Julian Fellowes have favorite characters from his series? Fellowes offers his perspective on the core characters and more.

Video

Downton Abbey: Michelle Dockery on Mary's Journey

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Above: "Downton Abbey" star Michelle Dockery reflects on the real Mary Crawley, and her journey throughout the series.

Video

Downton Abbey: Joanne Froggatt on Anna

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Above: "Downton Abbey's" Joanne Froggatt on her honest and tough character Anna, the roller coaster courtship with Bates and more.

Video

Downton Abbey: Behind-the-Scenes of Dining at Downton

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Above: Who could imagine how grueling it is to film the dining scenes from "Downton Abbey!" The cast and producer talk about the no shortcuts and sometimes smelly approach to getting the dinner scenes just right.

Video

Downton Abbey: Changing Fashion in the Series

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Above: Freedom, movement, breathing room -- "Downton Abbey's" Elizabeth McGovern and Michelle Dockery reflect on how fashion has evolved in the series.

Comments

Avatar image for user 'DanielMayer'

DanielMayer | February 17, 2013 at 11:42 p.m. ― 3 months ago

We have just seen The End of Downton Abbey. We are now squarely in the terrain of cheap soap opera. Out come all the black costumes and dirgey scenes again.

Killing off Matthew you have repeated yourself to death: killed off the better part of your audience and hopefully your series.

Our deepest condolences.

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Avatar image for user 'kosugisan'

kosugisan | April 3, 2013 at 6:57 a.m. ― 1 month, 3 weeks ago

You guys have ...or HAD a good thing going!!! ....killing of Mathew? REALLY? why don't you just shoot your series in the foot now! I can see killing off a few characters here and there, but principle characters??? its only Season 3......your show is popular, don't you get that ? I went to buy season 3 DVD today and there are none to be found in San Diego County!! PEOPLE! - YOUR SHOW IS POPULAR! IT WON'T BE FOR LONG IF YOU KILL OFF BELOVED CHARACTERS! ....Dumb move! .....and what is this rumor that you might only go 5 seasons? Do you not get it? Your show is a success! ...it won't be for long if you kill off our favorites! I'm SO disappointed in these decisions. You had a good thing going, and now you are blowing it ! I guess your not interested in making money and having a hit show!, cause your doing a good job ruining it! BOOOOO :(

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