'Masterpiece' period drama hailed 'the best ever' now streaming for free

A "masterpiece" period drama that's been hailed "the best ever" is now streaming for free.

Created and co-written by Julian Fellowes, British historical drama Downton Abbey follows the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family and their domestic servants in the post-Edwardian era.

Set on a fictional Yorkshire country estate, the show also explores notable events from that period and their impact on the family's lives and the British social hierarchy.

These events include news of the sinking of the Titanic, the outbreak of the First World War, the Spanish influenza pandemic, the Irish War of Independence and the general election of 1923.

The main cast of the Crawley family was led by Hugh Bonneville as Robert Crawley, and Elizabeth McGovern as his wife Cora.

Their three daughters are depicted by Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary, Laura Carmichael as Lady Edith, and Jessica Brown Findlay as Lady Sybil. Maggie Smith played Robert's mother Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham.

The cast also includes Joanne Froggatt, Rob James-Collier, Allen Leech, Jim Carter, Sophie McShera, Brendan Coyle, Penelope Wilton, Dan Stevens, Kevin Doyle, Phyllis Logan and Lesley Nicol.

Following the success of the series, the Crawleys returned for three movies: Downton Abbey in 2019, Downton Abbey: A New Era in 2022, and Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale in September this year.

All six seasons of Downton Abbey are now available to stream for free on ITVX.

If you can't get enough of the period drama, fans can then buy the three Downton films on Prime Video.

Fans continue to share their praise on social media 15 years after the show's premiere, with one person writing on IMDb: "Just an incredible television series. It is one of my favourite shows ever. The kind of nostalgia this show brings is unbeatable."

Another added: "Truly, a masterpiece! I instantly fell in love with the settings, costumes and characters. This series is SO amazing, so incredibly enthralling."

A third said: "Downton Abbey is definitely one of the best TV series I have ever seen. The drama, the story, the script, the cast, and the acting is truly exceptional."

A fourth fan echoed the sentiment, saying: "Absolutely addictive! Excellent characters, plots, and I found myself so drawn into the story and the family that I was unable to stop watching."

Downton Abbey is available to stream on ITVX