Masterpiece Classic For Series I of this spectacular period drama, PBS effectively converts seven original ITV broadcasts (mostly 60 minutes in length) into four 90-minute episodes. Episode 1 introduces us to the Crawley family and their large staf... (more)f of servants. We meet Robert (Earl of Grantham), his American heiress wife Cora, their three daughters, and Robert's mother Violet. It's 1912, and the sinking of the Titanic hits Downton in an unexpected and dramatic way. Lord Grantham's heir, James Crawley, and his son Patrick have perished. The news hits daughter Mary particularly hard for she was slated to wed Patrick. Deeper problems soon surface. Who is to be the new heir to the earldom? Furthermore, is the estate now in jeopardy? Storylines unfold among the servants as well. John Bates has arrived as a new valet for Robert, burdened by a pronounced limp, which leads some to question his fitness for the position. Mysteriously, Bates has a murky past, which seems to include a previous link to Robert. And, seemingly there is another servant who is strangely entangled with the welfare of the family he serves. Eventually, a plan of action begins to emerge - a new heir presumptive will soon arrive at Downton. He is Matthew Crawley, and along with his mother Isobel, they quickly manage to evoke a wide range of emotions from the Downton family and servants. One such emotion leads to Matthew quickly being considered as a suitor for Mary. However, nothing is quite as it seems in the evolving landscape and shifting fortunes of Downton Abbey.