This is a list of characters from Downton Abbey, a British period drama television series created by Julian Fellowes and co-produced by Carnival Films and Masterpiece for ITV and PBS, respectively. Some also appear in one or both of the film sequels: Downton Abbey (2019), and Downton Abbey: A New Era (2022). Cast Main cast Recurring cast Guest cast The Crawley family Robert Crawley, 7th Earl of Grantham Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham (played by Hugh Bonneville) (b. 1865), usually called Lord Grantham, is the 7th and current Earl of Grantham. He is the husband of Cora, son of Violet, and father of Mary, Edith and Sybil. Robert is immensely proud of Downton as the place he grew up and takes his responsibility for the estate very seriously; he sees himself as its caretaker, not its owner. Although in some ways his character embodies the traditional values of the aristocracy, Robert does not shun all progress, and he is very protective of and loyal to his family and servants. Despite these virtues, Robert's adherence to tradition lets him down in other ways. He often resists "modern" suggestions for better management of the estate, especially after his daughter Mary joins his sons-in-law Matthew and Tom in running it. His attitudes occasionally clash with that of the more progressive and pragmatic Cora. By the end of the final series, Robert's worsening health forces him to step down from running the estate, leaving the task to Tom and Mary. Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham Cora Crawley (née Levinson), Countess of Grantham (played by Elizabeth McGovern) (b. 1868), usually called Lady Grantham, is the wife of Robert and mother of Mary, Edith and Sybil. A wealthy American heiress, she married Robert in 1890 when the Crawleys were in straitened circumstances; her fortune helped rescue Downton. Although she has adopted the lifestyle of the British aristocracy, her character is portrayed as more forward-thinking and open-minded than that of her family, a trait her husband and daughters attribute to her "American-ness". Her industrious nature, first discovered during the First World War when she opens and maintains Downton as a convalescent home for soldiers, and later put to use on the Downton hospital board, often causes conflict with Robert, especially after she becomes president of the hospital board in the final series. However, Robert relents after seeing how effective Cora is in the role. During the summer