'Downton Abbey' Season 2 Finale Scores Highest PBS Ratings In Years

While it may not have been the Granthams strongest season, the Season 2 finale of "Downton Abbey" earned PBS its highest overnight ratings since 2009's "Ken Burns National Parks," as 5.4 million people tuned in to find out whether star-crossed lovers Mary and Matthew would actually end up together.

"Downton's" ratings were up 25 percent from its first season, doubling the average PBS viewership. The period drama is also reaching a much younger audience than the usual PBS Masterpiece crowd, with female viewers in the 18-34 demo up a staggering 251 percent.

Mighty good show, "Downton!"

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Comments

[fordgarye]

02:23 AM on 02/26/2012

Damn, is that all for the season. Can't wait for the next season to see what Shirley MacLaine and Maggie Smith do to each other............

[Someone Said]

01:29 PM on 02/25/2012

I love Downton Abbey and I find myself watching the episodes over and over. There is so much detail in every scene, especially within the walls of the house. Fascinating and educational. LOVE everything about this series. Thank you PBS for airing such great television.

[Oregon Coaster]

12:42 PM on 02/25/2012

Why is Downton Abbey so popular? Because it is a fascinating look into another time, the actors do a fine job, the characters are real and the women aren't all cookie-cutter Barbie doll copies. Wake up, US producers!! America is sick of cop and doctor shows with their gratuitous graphic violence, profanity and sex and of the constant bombardment of most of the stupid "reality" shows out there.

[Victoryin2008]

07:54 PM on 02/23/2012

Perhaps, just perhaps...the success of this fabulous show will entice other TV producers to start producing more quality shows. Of course, it's so much cheaper to put on "reality" shows, so I guess we can't count on it. Shows like Downton Abbey are expensive to produce.

[Cupcake1822]

06:15 PM on 02/23/2012

Looooove this show!! Insanely addictive! Counting the days we must wait until Season 3. Art in its purest form ... couldn't get enough of bad boy Sir Richard Carlisle ... but wait! he is not bad just misunderstood ... Matthew is lovely in a bubble gum kinda way ... Every character played to english perfection. Julian Fellowes you are the best and you know it! Our many thanks! E! Coconut Grove, Florida

[dgrown]

05:33 PM on 02/23/2012

It's been a long since I've gotten hooked on a series but Downton Abbey is definitely a winner. I look forward to season 3. Maggie Smith is still a charmer.

[genowhitaker]

10:42 PM on 02/23/2012

And don't forget season 3 will include Shirley Maclaine as Cora's mother. Maggie Smith and Shirley Maclaine? priceless...

[jmslotnick]

05:31 PM on 02/23/2012

There are no words to describe how wonderful a show Downton Abbey is. I was much happier with the last episode of Part II than I was with Part I. It left you knowing some people were happy and others will take new steps in their lives good or bad in Part III which I am looking forward to with baited breath. I do know Shirley Maclaine will be coming to the show as Lady Mary's American grandmother. That should be something, Maggie Smith and Shirley Maclaine in Downton Abbey together.
Lets face it people, the British certainly know how to put on great shows and truthfully make US tv shows seems blah.

[Mary Thompson]

05:21 PM on 02/23/2012

I liked it so much - I bought the 2nd season DVD.

[Cynthia Bonnett]

05:13 PM on 02/23/2012

I discovered Downton mid season, season 2...so hooked. Great storylines, awesome characters, and all the actors are just so real in their parts. Not much good TV anymore, but can always rely on PBS. Would love to see Inspector Lewis come back also. Not to keen on the Sherlock Holmes though. Can't wait for season three of Downton Abby.....keep up the great work PBS

[hughsie2]

04:42 PM on 02/23/2012

The best PBS production since Helen Mirren's Prime Suspect! We are totally hooked and can't wait for the next edition.

[Charro847]

04:34 PM on 02/23/2012

I really enjoyed Downtown Abbey. I hope Season 3 comes to the US soon! Great acting good plots! Its so refreshing too watch something so interesting . Its keeps you guessing and wondering what is going to happen next. I wish the seasons could be longer...not just 7 episodes.

[dfh611]

03:38 PM on 02/23/2012

Season finale... so sad, but good news , back to my other high brow favorites...Family Guy and soon Bobs' Burgers!

[lralvarado]

03:15 PM on 02/23/2012

the wait for the 3rd season of Downton Abbey is such sweet agony. i love this show....they are all masters in their art.

[902104me2]

04:52 PM on 02/23/2012

I am so hooked on Downton Abbey.... sure hope it goes on FOREVER !!!

[Cynthia Bonnett]

05:14 PM on 02/23/2012

If we are lucky we may get 10 or so seasons...wishful thinking

[bob40wil]

02:50 PM on 02/23/2012

As much as I liked Downton Abbey I'd love to see Upstairs Downstairs brought back, loved that series.

[genowhitaker]

10:44 PM on 02/23/2012

It was last year-also very excellent. A second season premieres this Spring.

[leeetta1]

02:42 PM on 02/23/2012

there is so much going on, it is hard to turn away.
lets hope they come back with more of the same.
GOLD STAR FOR MAGGIE SMITH.