Matthew Goode won’t be showing up in Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, which is dropping in September 2025. Fans had been hoping he’d come back as Henry Talbot, but turns out, he’s not part of this last chapter. Honestly, it’s kind of a bummer if you’ve been following Lady Mary’s story. Goode played her husband in the later seasons, and it would’ve been nice to see that storyline get a proper ending. But looks like life got in the way for him — literally.
Goode’s been working on other projects lately, including a Netflix series called Dept. Q, and on top of that, he had a knee surgery. So with his plate full and recovery time needed, it sounds like he just couldn’t make it work. He even joked in an old interview that his character had become “a bit of a wet lettuce,” which sort of makes you think maybe he was already feeling done with the role anyway. Still, for a lot of fans, it feels like something’s missing without him in the mix.
What the Story Might Look Like Without Him
Now that Henry Talbot’s out, the story is expected to focus more on Lady Mary. From what’s been shared so far, she’ll be stepping into more of a leadership role at the estate. The film is set in the 1930s, so we’re probably going to see how she handles all the changes and pressures of that time. I feel like this could be a really strong arc for her, especially with everything going on at Downton.
Without Henry around, maybe this gives her character a chance to grow in a new direction. Or maybe the writers just didn’t want to force a romance subplot. Either way, if you’ve followed Mary from the beginning, it might be cool to watch her take charge on her own terms. We’ll just have to wait and see how they handle his absence, though — it could feel like a hole in the story, or maybe it won’t even matter that much in the end.
Who’s Coming Back (and Who’s New)
Even though Matthew Goode won’t be there, a bunch of the regulars are returning, which honestly makes it feel more comforting. You’ve got Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter, and Paul Giamatti all back. That’s a solid cast to hold things down. And some new faces are joining too — Joely Richardson and Alessandro Nivola are both part of the final film, which might add some interesting new energy.
One emotional note: this movie will also include a tribute to Maggie Smith. She played Violet Crawley and passed away recently, so it’s expected that the film will honor her in some way. And honestly, that’s going to hit fans hard. She was such a huge part of the show’s heart, and it wouldn’t feel right to say goodbye without acknowledging her legacy.
The Final Chapter Hits Theatres Soon
Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale is set to release on September 12, 2025. It’s being described as the last film in the series, wrapping up all the stories for good. There’s no trailer yet, but people are already talking about what might happen, especially now with Goode not returning.
So yeah, while fans might miss seeing Henry Talbot one last time, there’s still a lot to look forward to. Big emotions, beautiful shots of the estate, and hopefully some closure. And honestly, even though it’s sad to see it ending, it feels like the right time. Downton has had a great run, and this last film could be a fitting goodbye — even if it’s missing a familiar face or two.
