Downton Abbey: Season 3

March/April 1920. Cora's mother, Martha Levinson (Shirley MacLaine), arrives at Downton for Matthew and Mary's wedding. Lord Grantham learns that his massive investment of Cora's fortune in the Grand Trunk Railway has failed. Meanwhile, O'Brien's nephew, Alfred, joins the staff downstairs as a footman. Sybil and her husband, Tom Branson, return to Downton to a muted reception, as Branson remains highly vocal about his political beliefs. Matthew helps soothe the situation by choosing Branson as h

April 1920. Mary and the Dowager Countess conspire to show Downton at its grandest to persuade Mrs Levinson to donate money and save them from financial ruin, though she declines. Meanwhile, downstairs, O'Brien and Thomas wage war against one another due to Alfred's recent promotion as Matthew's valet, while Mrs Levinson's maid takes a shine to Alfred. Mrs Hughes faces a cancer scare, and Isobel Crawley finds that Ethel has become a prostitute. Edith actively pursues Anthony Strallan as a potent

May 1920. Matthew finally agrees to accept Lavinia's late father's money, saving Downton. Lord Grantham refuses to accept the money outright, instead insisting that he and Matthew become joint masters of Downton. Edith's wedding day arrives, but at the altar, Sir Anthony Strallan suddenly changes his mind and calls off the ceremony. Mrs Hughes receives the news that she does not have cancer. Thomas tries to get revenge on O'Brien by spreading a rumour to the family that she is leaving Downton. B

May 1920. Branson is wanted by the Irish police. He escapes to Downton Abbey without Sybil, outraging the Crawleys. Sybil arrives safely at Downton soon afterwards. Anna has not received any letters from Bates and is no longer allowed to visit; similarly, Bates wonders why Anna's letters and visits have stopped. Ethel decides to let her son live with his grandparents so he can have a better life. Carson recruits a new footman, Jimmy Kent, who attracts the attention of both the female staff and T

May 1920. After her letter to the editor is published, Edith is asked to write a regular newspaper column, though some of the family are unsupportive. Matthew believes that Robert has been mismanaging the estate and finds an ally in George Murray, the family solicitor. Mary is angry when she discovers their collaboration. Sybil goes into labour and Lord Grantham hires a famous obstetrician, Sir Philip Tapsel. Dr Clarkson believes Sybil is suffering from eclampsia and should be taken to hospital,

May/June 1920. Branson names his daughter Sybil and plans to baptise her as a Catholic, to which Lord Grantham is firmly opposed. The Dowager Countess pressures Dr Clarkson into retracting his assertion that Sybil might have survived had she undergone a Caesarean section, and Cora forgives Robert. Anna finds evidence that might prove Bates innocent. Ethel, now working for Mrs Crawley, prepares a luncheon for the Crawley women with Mrs Patmore's help. Lord Grantham is outraged that Isobel would a

July 1920. Bates is freed from prison. Persuaded by O'Brien, Thomas makes a midnight visit to Jimmy's room and kisses him as he sleeps—just as Alfred enters the room. Jimmy is outraged and disgusted; so is Alfred. Edith goes to London to meet with a magazine editor, Michael Gregson, and accepts his offer to write a weekly column for The Sketch. Branson's uncouth brother comes to Downton. Matthew continues to confront Lord Grantham about the estate's mismanagement, leading to the resignation of t

Before 11 August 1920. Downton Abbey's annual cricket match with the village takes place. Alfred complains about Thomas to the police, and detectives arrive at the cricket match to see Alfred; however, Lord Grantham persuades the police that it was all a misunderstanding. The Dowager Countess's great niece, Lady Rose MacClare—the daughter of the Dowager Countess's niece, Susan, Marchioness of Flintshire and her husband, Hugh, Marquess of Flintshire—visits. A trip to London reveals that Rose like