How Accurate is Downton Abbey? Show vs. Real Life Difference
What "Downton Abbey" Gets Right (and Wrong) About 20th Century England
Watch out! This post contains spoilers.
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Watch out! This post contains spoilers.
"Downton Abbey" isn't really a show that's explicitly about politics, but it makes it clear what the Crawley family's leanings are: generally conservative, preferring the "old ways," and favouring conservative politicians. This would certainly be in line with real aristocrats of the early 20th century, but there's also quite a bit happening at Downton that's almost unrealistically progressive.
The Crawleys treat their servants very well and even form friendships with a few of them — not something that would have happened, realistically. They also demonstrate a surprisingly progressive attitude when it comes to marginalized groups of the era. Unlike many aristocrats, they're not antisemitic (partially explained by Cora having come from a wealthy Jewish American family), and they're pretty chill about Thomas being gay. Again, while heartwarming to watch in the 21st century, it's definitely a bit more of a modern lens.