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Downton Abbey- Why it made the Top 5

Wayne Writer

05/15/2026

Home » Blog » TV & Film Reviews » Downton Abbey- Why it made the Top 5

My Top 5 TV Shows Reviewed

Before I even start writing this, I have to make a disclaimer to the 2 people who may read this. Any list of a top anything, outside of timed sporting events over equal distance, is completely subjective. There can be no doubt that Usain Bolt is the fastest human being ever recorded. Now has there ever been someone faster than Bolt before official recording? Probably yes. It’s logical to assume so, since there have been 10’s of billions of people who have existed in the past 2.5 million years since hominids walked upright, but since we started timing people, that rasta man has lived up to his surname. So, when it comes to top tv shows, it is, obviously, subjective. Any critical list will include shows like, Breaking Bad, The Sopranos, The Wire, Better Call Saul, Mad Men. I believe you can also include shows like MASH, Taxi, All in The Family, Seinfeld, Star Trek, and Survivor. The number of TV shows ever created is uncountable. The previously mentioned shows are all incredible, and most of them were barrier breaking, or trendsetting, and none of them are included in my personal subjective list.

Before I start, I must say that “The Wire” has always flirted with being in my top 5. The Wire is a phenomenal show, and always seems to be included in any experts’ top 10, if not top 5 list, including, usually mine, but I’m leaving it off. Sorry, McNulty, Bunk, Omar and Stringer. As unforgettable as your characters are, I have to leave you off my list. For The Wire, there is solace in seeing that damn near every actor on the show has gone on to good, great or exceptional careers. It’s almost as if having The Wire in your CV, guarantees Hollywood acting street cred.

Now, my list is in no order. Number 1 is no different, in my mind, than number 5.

First from my Review List

Downton Abbey.

I can hear people already. “Dude, have you lost your mind?” The answer to that is, “Watch the show.” Yes, the show is British. Yes, it’s a period piece centered around an aristocratic family, who seem obviously entitled. Yes, the seasons are typically British, meaning the episodes are limited in number per season. My answer again is, “Watch the show.

The dichotomy between the upstairs world of the aristocracy, and the downstairs lives of their staff should be shocking, but the difference is accepted as normal of the times, and respected. Many, in the modern world of 2026 wokism, will probably be triggered by the lack of diversity, the classism, female acceptance of their position in this fin di siècle era. Honestly, how many shows have ever been made in the past 50 years, where 90% of the women characters are virgins until their wedding night. In 2026 we are at the peak of female empowerment and triple digit body counts. In 1912 York, England having 5 minute quickie before marriage, if revealed, gave you a scarlet letter which could never be rinsed clean.

Now, why is this in my top 5? Downtown Abby is a perfect series. The acting is phenomenal. Not just good, exceptional. The story and characters are unforgettable and also endearing. Viewers actually care about these entitled aristocrats and these downtrodden servants. The Crawley Family becomes the family you actually care about. I’m positive very few eyes were dry when Matthew, the heir and new father, dies in a car crash on his way to see his newborn son. When Lady Sybil, in my opinion, the best of the sisters, and the only one who isn’t an entitled bitch half the show, dies in childbirth, I’m sure there was stunned silence in most households.

There are villains who have redemption arcs. Yes, I’m talking about you Thomas Barrow, Branson and Lady Mary. There are heroes who fall like Matthew, and the stalwart butler Carson. There are historic events, like the Titanic sinking, World War 1, the Spanish Flu Pandemic, The Teapot Dome Scandal woven with the household’s impact. The main reason this show is in my top 5 is that the show is perfect in every way. This is clean cut entertainment perfection. Like Salieri explaining Mozart’s music, if you add or delete to any character, scene or even set, the show is diminished.

Downton Abbey is captivating from start to finish, and I’m positive I’m not the only person who believes this, as after the series finale, there have been 3 movies made, with each film making money, which in the world of streaming is no small feat. Lastly, the house, I mean castle, is a bucket list destination. Like the show, Highclere Castle is just stunningly impressive.