Downton Abbey

Thomas Barrow's journey includes a storyline where he attempts a 'cure' for his homosexuality through hormonal therapy in Season 5, which leaves him ill and profoundly depressed, leading to a suicide attempt. He is also arrested during a police raid on an underground gay club, highlighting the illegality and danger of being gay during the period. In the film 'Downton Abbey: A New Era,' Thomas eventually finds love and companionship with Guy Dexter, a closeted gay movie star, offering a more optimistic resolution to his arc.

In Season 4, Episode 3, lady's maid Anna Bates is sexually assaulted by Mr. Green, a guest's valet. The attack itself occurs off-screen, but Anna's screams are heard, and she is later shown bruised and traumatized, leading to significant emotional distress. In the first Downton Abbey film, a plot to assassinate the King involves a man pointing a gun, who is then tackled to the ground by Tom Branson. This scene includes a physical struggle but avoids graphic gore.

Lady Edith has an out-of-wedlock child, Marigold, with Michael Gregson, which she initially tries to keep secret and later raises as her own, a scandalous situation for the era. The series also includes kissing and embracing between various couples, such as Cora and Robert, Lucy and Tom, and Lady Mary and Henry Talbot. In Season 3, Thomas Barrow is portrayed kissing another footman, James Kent, while he is asleep, leading to serious repercussions for Thomas.

Occasional mild curse words such as 'damn' and 'hell' are used throughout the series and films. Stronger terms like 'bitch,' 'bastard,' and 'slut' have been noted by viewers as being present in some dialogue, particularly during intense arguments or character disputes. For instance, the term 'bastard' is used, notably by Bates in one instance.

Alcohol is regularly consumed by both upstairs and downstairs characters during meals, parties, and social gatherings. In Season 3, Larry Grey intentionally spikes Tom Branson's drink during a dinner party to embarrass him, leading to inappropriate behavior from Tom. Thomas Barrow attempts to 'cure' his homosexuality using hormonal therapy in Season 5, which involves injections and pills, leading to severe illness.

The death of Matthew Crawley in a car crash at the end of Season 3 is depicted with distressing visuals of his crumpled body and blood. Thomas Barrow's deep loneliness and despair over his sexuality lead to a suicide attempt where he slits his wrists in the bath, a scene discovered by Miss Baxter. The sexual assault of Anna Bates, though not graphically shown, is an intensely disturbing event that generates significant emotional trauma for the character and is a central plot point.

Lady Sybil Crawley, one of the daughters, actively defies her aristocratic family's expectations by training as a nurse and later marrying the family chauffeur, Tom Branson, a significant act of rebellion against class conventions. The Dowager Countess, Violet Crawley, is known for her sharp wit and often delivers sarcastic and critical remarks, challenging others' opinions and occasionally displaying subtle disrespect for changing social attitudes.

Alistair Bruce, the show's historical advisor, revealed that scenes showing characters saying grace before meals were never included, as the production team aimed to 'leave religion out of it' to broaden audience appeal. There is a storyline involving anti-Catholic sentiment when Tom Branson and Lady Sybil's baby is to be baptized, highlighting religious prejudice within the Anglican upper class.