Viewers around the world have become addicted to the aristocratic lives of the Crawley family and their servants as they lived fascinating lives in the early 20th century. Throughout the seasons, the cast goes through scandals, historical shifts, tragedies, and romances. Here are our favorite couples on the show, from worst to best.
Robert and Jane
These two adulterers had a top-secret romance. The maid and the Earl of Grantham were notorious for their class-defying affair, but we couldn’t get on board with Robert cheating on his wife. What makes it even worse is that his wife is sick with the Spanish flu as these two are getting it on!
Daisy and William
Scullery maid Daisy and footman William had cute moments, but it wasn’t enjoyable to see how the relationship was forced on Daisy. William was obsessed with her from the start, but Daisy was always hesitant, and she was guilt-tripped by Mrs. Patmore to marry him with the logic that it would be wrong to turn down a dying man.
Edith and Anthony
Throughout the many seasons of “Downton Abbey,” Lady Edith experienced a lot of growth. Her character was jealous and spiteful, with many failed romance attempts, including getting engaged to the much older Anthony Strallan. But on the wedding day, Anthony leaves Edith at the altar to stop her from throwing away her life, but the whole ordeal is tragic and humiliating!
Daisy and Andy
These two were initially pushed into a relationship, but it was filled with passion. At the end of the “Downton Abbey” movie, he breaks a pump out of jealousy after seeing Daisy make flirty eye contact with a plumber. She’s impressed rather than freaked out by this act, showing that they’re similar, but we believe in communicating your feelings rather than violence and vandalism!
Cora and Robert
Some might rank these two higher, but they hit rock bottom more than a few times, most notably due to Robert’s infidelity with the maid, Jane. They struggle with indecision again when Cora flirts with Simon Bricker, but she stops his advances quickly. The worst part is when their daughter, Sybil, dies; Cora wants to take her to the hospital, but Robert disagrees and is the reason for her death.
Mary and Henry
Lady Mary has no shortage of enamored suitors, but it doesn’t go both ways. Henry Talbot is the first man she loves after her husband Matthew’s death, and even though Mary doesn’t like race car driving due to her husband dying in a crash, she accepts Henry’s hobby. The pair weds at the end of Season 6, but their love story still couldn’t stand up to Mary and Matthew.
Edith and Bertie
When Edith met Bertie Pelham, there were no red flags, unlike some of the other relationships on this list. He supports her work and helps her get her magazine published; her passions matter to him! Despite Bertie proposing, they do have one bout of jealousy when Mary reveals Marigold is Edith’s child, but Bertie forgives her, and they still get married.
Rose and Atticus
Entering the show in Season 3, Lady Rose MacClare and Atticus Aldridge fall in love, marking a passionate interfaith relationship (one of the few moments of diversity in the show) with Romeo and Juliet undertones. Their parents insult each other, and an enemy even tries to make it look like Atticus is heating up to Rose. But the two persevere and eventually marry.
Mrs Hughes and Mr Carson
There’s nothing like late-in-life true love, and that’s exactly what these two had. Carson was the stubborn and traditional butler, and Mrs. Hughes ran things as the manor’s slightly softer head housekeeper. Their teamwork turns into a slow-burning romance, but their sweet and vulnerable moments ultimately lead to their marriage in Season 6, Episode 3.
Anna and Bates
This fan-favorite romance starts with Bates as a mysterious character; while he struggles with work due to an injury, Anna encourages him to stay, which is where their friendship begins and eventually turns into a romance. Though they face several roadblocks (including Bates’ first wife, who later dies and turns Bates into a murder suspect), Anna never gives up on him, and they marry before the investigation. Though he is arrested, she still sticks by his side.
Mary and Matthew
This relationship had will-they-or-won’t-they vibes since Season 1, and despite coming from different worlds, they have undeniable chemistry. At first, they can barely tolerate each other, but then, Mary confesses how she feels, and Matthew proposes. She hesitates, and she calls it off, getting engaged to another woman who eventually dies of the Spanish flu, but by Season 2, they reconnect and eventually have a baby together. Soon after, Matthew tragically passes away.
Sybil and Branson
Lady Branson and chauffeur Branson are the best couple in the entire show. This class-defying romance was a major societal no-no, but Sybil doesn’t care about social rules, and the two connect over politics. Branson, an Irish socialist, is charmed by his love’s rebellion and disregard for authority and proudly shows off how she wears pants to his family, who are highly disapproving.