Downton Abbey breaks record for biggest drama audience in a decade as the second series comes to a thrilling close

By Georgina Littlejohn

Last updated at 10:57 AM on 8th November 2011


It faced some criticism halfway through the second series with many viewers complaining that it was moving to fast and some of the storyline were rather far-fetched.

But Downton Abbey has had the last laugh after 10million viewers tuned in to last night's finale, its best ever overnight audience, and the largest audience for a drama in a decade.

The last episode averaged 10.5million viewers and a 38.8% audience share from 9pm, rising to 10.7million when the repeat channel, ITV1+1, viewing is included.

Grand finale: Last night's Downton Abbey, which saw maid Anna marry valet John Bates, saw 10million viewers tune in

It also gained a lot of viewers from the X Factor results show which was on right before it and which averaged 12.1million viewers and a 41.8% share from 8pm, rising to 12.3million with ITV1+1.

And Downton's final episode was up from the 10.1million and 37.7% for the final episode of series in November 2010.


The show will return next year for a third series set after the Armistice and through the 1920s.

Last night, fans were left gripped by an extended episode which saw an outbreak of Spanish flu hit the stately home and claim the life of Downton heir Matthew Crawley's fiancée Miss Lavinia Swire.

Tragedy: Viewers saw Miss Lavinia Swire, the fiancée of Downton heir Matthew Crawley, die from Spanish flu in last night's finale

Head maid Anna Smith finally married her valet beau John Bates but was left in tears as he was carted off by police at the end of the episode accused of the murder of his first wife.

Lord Grantham gave his blessing to the union of his youngest daughter Lady Sybil and their chauffeur Branson not long after engaging in a passionate kiss in his bedroom with the new maid.

The second series of the show started on 18 September 2011 amid much excitement after the huge success of the first series, which started with the sinking of the Titanic and ended with the outbreak of the First World War.

Scandal: Fans of the show watched with baited breath as Lord Grantham passionately kissed his maid inside his bedroom

The second one began in 1916 and the Battle of the Somme, but just two weeks in, and 400,000 viewers had deserted the show, written by Julian Fellowes, because of excessive advertising.

Audiences became increasingly fed up with the drama being squeezed by commercials, sponsorship promotions and trailers for other programmes.

There was also criticism over the use of language as keen-eared fans noticed its use of modern slang with characters uttering phrases not popularised until 40 years later.

Wartime: The second series of Downton was set in the First World War - the third series will take place in the 1920s

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2058628/Downton-Abbey-breaks-record-biggest-drama-audience-decade.html#ixzz1d94MlQk6