The story opens with the news of the sinking of the . This tragedy is personal for the Crawleys: Lord Grantham's cousin and heir presumptive, James Crawley , and his son Patrick (who was engaged to the eldest daughter, Mary), both perish in the disaster.
The first episode of (Season 1, Episode 1) originally aired on September 26, 2010 , on ITV in the UK. Set in April 1912 , the series begins with a world-changing event that throws the aristocratic Crawley family and their servants into turmoil. Plot Overview The story opens with the news of the sinking of the
Below stairs, the household is stirred by the arrival of John Bates , the Earl's new valet and former Boer War comrade. Bates walks with a limp due to a war injury, leading several staff members—most notably the footman Thomas Barrow and lady's maid Sarah O'Brien—to scheme against him to protect their own advancement. Key Cast & Characters Set in April 1912 , the series begins