Downton Abbey: Season 2

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 26 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 185 Ratings

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7.8

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7.8	Your Score
7.8	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 185 Ratings

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Downton Abbey

Now Playing: Downton Abbey

Season Details & Credits

PBS | ITV1 | ITV | Season Premiere Date: September 18, 2011

Starring: Dan Stevens, Rob Collier, Phyllis Logan

Summary: Season two begins in 1916, with heir Matthew Crawley fighting in the Battle of the Somme while the staff at Downton tries to keep things as they were before the war, even as the estate serves as a military rehab center.

Creator: Julian Fellowes

Genre(s): Drama

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Season 2 Episodes

tbd
S2:E9. Episode 9 (Christmas Special)
Air Date: December 25, 2011
tbd
S2:E8. Episode 8
Air Date: November 6, 2011
tbd
S2:E7. Episode 7
Air Date: October 30, 2011

See all Seasons and Episodes

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

100

Brian Lowry

Jan 3, 2012

Julian Fellowes has created such a vivid group of characters and assembled such an impeccable cast--effortlessly oscillating from comedy to drama--that the hours fly by, addictively pulling viewers from one into the next. Read full review

100

David Wiegand

Jan 6, 2012

The emotional authenticity of Downton Abbey continues to make it a classic. Read full review

100

Linda Stasi

Jan 9, 2012

The series seamlessly moves between the horrors of war and the gentility of life in the show's titular 100-room manor. Read full review

Ken Tucker

Jan 13, 2012

Despite all the repetition and longueurs, this Downton Abbey frequently works, as the first one did, as a peppery little trifle. Read full review

Troy Patterson

Jan 9, 2012

Appropriate to the pace and the space of series television, it welcomes you into its intrigues at a walking pace. Read full review

Tom Gliatto

Jan 3, 2012

Luckily the characters are so fully formed, and so fully inhabited by the cast, that the whole mess staggers up out of the trenches and keeps going. [9 Jan 2012, p.39]

Hank Stuever

Jan 6, 2012

Downton Abbey lacks surprise and is stretched precariously thin, a house full of fascinating people with not nearly enough to do, all caught in a loop of weak storylines that circle round but never fully propel. Read full review

SEE ALL 26 REVIEWS

User Score

Write a Review

7.8

User Reviews

pabcasti1994

Jan 9, 2013

Although season 2 has more soapy elements than season 1, it is still more entertaining and fans would not be disappointed. Downton Abbey remains as one of the best televesion shows in modern days and we are witnessing a real TV phenomenon.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

m_elders

Apr 11, 2012

I've never liked a period drama before, but this got such good reviews, I thought I'd give it a try. I'm so glad I did! I watched both seasons over the course of four days, and now I just want more. It's written incredibly well. There is SO much dialogue, but it's all worth hearing.I've never liked a period drama before, but this got such good reviews, I thought I'd give it a try. I'm so glad I did! I watched both seasons over the course of four days, and now I just want more. It's written incredibly well. There is SO much dialogue, but it's all worth hearing. Little quips here, wise advice there, etc. The music is also spectacular. I'm of the belief that a show without good music loses some of its emotion, but the music is present in this show, and it's beautiful. And of course, no show is any good without great characters, and I must say, every character shown on the box is fleshed out realistically, and plays a large role in the story. This show is certainly not for everyone, but it's at least worth a viewing.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

Kraft

Mar 28, 2012

Good acting, crisp direction and editing. It is very well done. The only fault I find with it is that it is too unfocused and resorts to making Mary and Matthew behave absurdly to create the main conflict. The characters then seem less real and more like instruments of contriving the plot.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

alejandro970

Jul 23, 2017

Contains a dramatic bow higher than previous season. The life in manor in war time stands out with accurates doses of drama of assorted types: dilemmas, tragic deathes in the front and a final act that develops expectations.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

jmpatison

Oct 10, 2011

After finishing the 1st season and discovering that a 2nd was about to begin in Britain, I set out to find a legal way to watch them as they were shown, or at least soon after. After some searching, I found a place, paid my $10 and have enjoyed 4 weeks of viewing ecstasy since then. EquallyAfter finishing the 1st season and discovering that a 2nd was about to begin in Britain, I set out to find a legal way to watch them as they were shown, or at least soon after. After some searching, I found a place, paid my $10 and have enjoyed 4 weeks of viewing ecstasy since then. Equally as enthralling as the 1st season, the 2nd season has kept me completely invested and expectantly waiting for the next episode.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

jeremyp

Jan 30, 2012

The thrill is gone, and we're left with just a basic masterpiece series. Now that we've seen the characters we lack any development or much prolonged interest in their situations. The nastier denizens of the downstairs have softened, the upstairs sisters have made up, and the Earl continuesThe thrill is gone, and we're left with just a basic masterpiece series. Now that we've seen the characters we lack any development or much prolonged interest in their situations. The nastier denizens of the downstairs have softened, the upstairs sisters have made up, and the Earl continues to be clueless of the machinations around him. And Maggie Smith still gets the best lines. Much more fascinating was the recent documentary on PBS about Manor houses with tunnels to keep the servants and upper class from seeing each other, and the nearly destitute servant class.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

arrow1530

Feb 1, 2012

This really isn't a bad show! It's just really boringâ

0 of 5 users found this helpful05

SEE ALL 24 REVIEWS

Seasons & Episodes

80

Series Overview
Season 6

76
- Season 6 Overview
  Air Date: January 3, 2016
Season 5

75
- Season 5 Overview
  Air Date: September 21, 2014
Season 4

72
- Season 4 Overview
  Air Date: September 22, 2013
Season 3

83
- Season 3 Overview
  Air Date: September 16, 2012
Season 2

85
- Season 2 Overview
  Air Date: September 18, 2011
- tbd
  S2:E9. Episode 9 (Christmas Special)
  Air Date: December 25, 2011
- tbd
  S2:E8. Episode 8
  Air Date: November 6, 2011
- tbd
  S2:E7. Episode 7
  Air Date: October 30, 2011
- tbd
  S2:E6. Episode 6
  Air Date: October 23, 2011
- tbd
  S2:E5. Episode 5
  Air Date: October 16, 2011
- tbd
  S2:E4. Episode 4
  Air Date: October 9, 2011
- tbd
  S2:E3. Episode 3
  Air Date: October 2, 2011
- tbd
  S2:E2. Episode 2
  Air Date: September 25, 2011
- tbd
  S2:E1. Episode 1
  Air Date: September 18, 2011
Season 1

91
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: September 26, 2010