Downton Abbey Movie: See Stars at Fleurs de Villes!

By Jill Brooke

Are you getting excited about the new “Downton Abbey:Grand Finale” movie that will debut on September 12th?  We all are.

Considering that many are nostalgic for the late Maggie Smith’s character of the Dowager Countess, artists crafted a floral installation inspired by her. In fact, “Downton Abbey” stars came out to see the “Fleurs de Villes’ floral show in London and posed in front of this “violet” themed installation.

Among the stars were Lady Mary and Lady Edith, played by Michelle Dockery and Laura Carmichael, the Earl of Grantham, played by Hugh Bonneville and Anna Bates played by Joanne Froggatt.

So many floral artists around the globe have interpreted the characters of the beloved TV series and films with innovation and inspiration. It’s all part of a deal between Fleurs de Villes and Focus Features, which distributes the iconic films along with Universal Pictures International.

What a smart partnership considering that flowers at Downton are as much a part of life as footmen, ladies’ maids, and having someone unzip your dress or polish your shoes. Flowers were not only abundant for elegant dining but to add color and warmth to grand rooms at the Edwardian country house where the Crawley family live in the early 20th century.  Florist Helen Byrne’s exquisite abundance of rambling garden roses, colorful ranunculus and English sweet pea blooms sparked a global interest in flowers and enhanced respect for florists around the world.

“Fleurs de Villes has a global history of floral storytelling, and we couldn’t be more delighted to
share the story of Downton Abbey “en fleurs,”  says Karen Marshall, Co-founder of Fleurs de Villes. “We know audiences around the world will be captivated by the detail, the history, the artistry, and the flowers that Fleurs de Villes Downton
Abbey will encompass. With each installation created by talented local floral artists, we are
fulfilling our mission of elevating the floral arts and sharing our florists incredible talent with the
public in the most remarkable settings.”

Focus Features says that this “flower-ful partnership” will enhance anticipation for the highly awaited third Downton Abbey film which debuts September 12, 2025. The British series first arrived in the U.S. in January of 2011. It ran for fifty-two episodes across six series, including five Christmas specials and subsequently movies.

And guess where the floral show will be when the third movie debuts? Well of course in England, at Royal Botanic Gardens.  Their collection of living plants is the largest and most diverse in the world and its landscapes are a beautiful backdrop to what the Fleurs de Villes artists will create their installations.

Here are the places that participated for the spectacular global tour.

● Bal Harbour, Florida: Bal Harbour Shops (February 28 – March 9, 2025) with additional floral
displays throughout Bal Harbour Village and at the St. Regis Bal Harbour Hotel
● Atlanta: Phipps Plaza (April 2 – 6, 2025) with additional floral displays at Nobu Hotel Atlanta
● Southern California: South Coast Plaza (April 23 – 27, 2025)
● New York City: Hudson Yards (April 25 – May 4, 2025)
● Chicago: 900 North Michigan Shops (May 21 – 25, 2025) with additional floral displays at
Four Seasons Hotel Chicago and The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago
● Vancouver: VanDusen Botanical Garden presented by Oakridge Park
(May 23 – June 1, 2025)
● Burlington, Ontario: Royal Botanical Gardens Canada (September 12 – 21, 2025)
● London, England: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (September 22 – October 1, 2025)
● Boston: Prudential Center (November 5 – 9, 2025)

So pass this along and make travel plans to see any of these shows. Expect a few interpretations of Lady Violet Crawley played by the late great Maggie Smith.  What a great gift for “Downton Abbey” lovers.

Licensed by Universal Studios Licensing LLC © 2025 Focus Features LLC.

Jill Brooke is a former CNN correspondent, Post columnist and editor-in-chief of Avenue and Travel Savvy magazine. She is an author and the editorial director of FPD and a contributor to Florists Review magazine. She also won the 2023 AIFD (American Institute of Floral Designers.) Merit Award for showing how flowers impact history, news and culture