“Downton Abbey” Star Michelle Dockery Opens Up About Alternative Ending To Final Film

After finally taking over at the head of her family’s estate, Michelle Dockery’s character Lady Mary ends the movie by taking a look around the house and reliving old memories, featuring some familiar faces.

But during a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Michelle admitted that this ending almost never came to be.

“There were a couple of versions of the ending,” Michelle said. “There was another version where you saw Mary go back to work, she goes into the library and she sits at her desk.”

She continued: “They decided to end it on the tribute to [Dame Maggie Smith], which I think is the best ending. I always felt that it was the right way to finish.

“[Mary, Cora and Robert] are saying their goodbyes and I think that’s for the audience – this feeling of moving on and saying farewell to each other. But in reality, Mary’s not alone. She’s in the house with various other people, of course, all the staff. She’s got family members who are going to be coming and I think it looks forward to the future. It feels quite hopeful.

“I also like that at the end of this story, Mary ends up as a single woman. There’s a new chapter ahead of her, she’s happier, and she’s excited to take the reins and become the lady of the house.”