The Downton Abbey Prequel Series, Predicted
Though ITV's Downton Abbey was originally conceived as a miniseries, its tremendous success led its creator, Julian Fellowes, to run with it, spinning out storylines for two more seasons, thus breaking with the British TV tradition of short series runs that leave fans wanting more (as opposed to weary of the whole enterprise, AHEM NBC'S THE OFFICE). And with Downton reportedly set to bow with its third season, Fellowes is reportedly looking once again to get the goose to lay more golden eggs by creating a prequel series, which would revolve around the courtship of Robert Crawley and Cora Levinson (the characters played in the current series by Hugh Bonneville and Elizabeth McGovern) -- you know, like that Gossip Girl prequel that was going to be all about the adolescence of wild child Lily Rhodes (played as a teenager by Brittany Snow) until The CW decided that today's tweens aren't interested in the '80s. But Downton has already defied all conventional wisdom by turning contemporary audiences into amateur experts on entails and footmen, so why shouldn't this prequel work, too? Fellowes is probably getting ready to sketch out the first season, so here are a few episode ideas he can use for free.
Episode 1 (Pilot)
With the future of their ancestral estate in jeopardy, Lady Grantham (Imogen Stubbs) puts aside her personal antipathy for Americans and invites the beautiful young heiress Cora Levinson (Alexandra Daddario) to dinner with an eye to marrying her off to the future Lord Grantham, Robert Crawley (Joe Thomas). But will Robert accept his duty and marry Cora for the sake of Downton Abbey, or will he remain loyal to his true beloved, the relatively penniless Jane Elliott (Emily Atack)? Meanwhile, several members of the kitchen staff find themselves addicted to the newly available Woodbine brand of cigarettes.
Episode 3
Cora is the guest of honour when the Crawleys throw a ball -- and since Jane is the daughter of the Lord Mayor of Downton Village, Lady Grantham can't very well leave her off the guest list. And when Jane and Robert steal away from the dancing to spend time together, Cora catches the eye of James Somerset (Reeve Carney), the handsome heir to a neighbouring estate. Will all of Lady Grantham's hard work in cultivating Cora as the future Lady of Downton Abbey be undone by Robert's carelessness? Meanwhile, housemaid Ellen (Sophie Winkleman) gets word that her father has been killed in the Armagh rail disaster.
Episode 4
To get Cora out of Yorkshire and away from James, Lady Grantham invites her to come "to town" -- London -- and stay with the Crawleys at their house in Kensington. Robert agrees to take Cora to see the sights of London, including the theatre, but when the lights go down and Cora gets bold enough to brazenly lay a hand on Robert's forearm, his conscience forces him to confess the truth of his affections...and risk everything. Meanwhile, footman Henry (Stephen Campbell Moore) leaves the Crawley employ to work at the newly opened Royal Mail Mount Pleasant Sorting Office.
Episode 6
The sudden death of Jane's brother moves Robert to consider abandoning his obligations to the estate and propose marriage to her. However, before he can declare his intentions, Lady Grantham succumbs to a mysterious illness about which all that seems certain is that her life is probably in peril. Robert finally has an appreciation of what is at stake, and when he proposes to Cora instead -- assuring her that he's through with Jane -- Lady Grantham recovers quickly and starts planning the wedding. Meanwhile, housekeeper Mrs. Brandon (Saskia Reeves) travels back to her hometown of Birmingham to celebrate its being designated a city despite its not having a cathedral.
Episode 7
As a radiant Cora prepares to marry the man she loves, a distraught Jane visits Lady Grantham with some shocking news: she's carrying Robert's baby. Meanwhile, the launch of the Daily Graphic, Britain's first "picture paper," allows the servants put off literacy a little longer.