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Downton Abbey: The Complete Scripts #2
Downton Abbey: The Complete Scripts, Season Two
The full scripts of award-winning Downton Abbey, season two including previously unseen commentary from Julian Fellowes
Opening in 1916, as the First World War rages across Europe, Season Two is the next dramatic installment of the much-loved, award-winning drama. The Crawley family and their servants play their parts on the front line and back at home as their lives are intensified by the strains of war.
The shooting scripts give a fascinating view of how Julian Fellowes weaves his storylines of love, loss, and betrayal to captivate the audience. With key insights into the research and creative processes, this will appeal to fans and students alike.
619 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 7, 2013
44 people are currently reading
442 people want to read
About the author
Julian Fellowes
60 books1,514 followersJulian Alexander Kitchener-Fellowes (Baron Fellowes of West Stafford), DL. English actor, novelist, screenwriter, and director.
Fellowes is the youngest son of Peregrine Fellowes (a diplomat and Arabist who campaigned to have Haile Selassie restored to his throne during World War II). Julian inherited the title of Lord of the Manor of Tattershall from his father, making him the fourth Fellowes to hold it. He was educated at Ampleforth College, Magdalene College, Cambridge, and at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art.
He played the part of Lord Kilwillie in the television series 'Monarch of the Glen.' Other notable acting roles included the part of Claud Seabrook in the acclaimed 1996 BBC drama serial 'Our Friends in the North.' He has twice notably portrayed George IV as the Prince Regent in the 1982 television version of 'The Scarlet Pimpernel' and the 1996 adaptation of Bernard Cornwell's novel 'Sharpe's Regiment.'
He wrote the screenplay for 'Gosford Park,' directed by Robert Altman, for which he won an Oscar for Best Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen in 2002.
His novel 'Snobs' was published in 2004. It focused on the social nuances of the upper class. Fellowes has described himself as coming from the "rock bottom end of the top", and drew on his knowledge of Society to paint a detailed portrait of the behaviour and snobbery of the upper class. 'Snobs' was a Sunday Times Best Seller and has now been published in many countries.
In the 1970s he also wrote romantic novels, using the names Rebecca Greville and Alexander Morant.
He launched a new series on BBC One in 2004, 'Julian Fellowes Investigates: A Most Mysterious Murder,' which he wrote and also introduced on screen.
He also penned the script to the current West End musical 'Mary Poppins,' produced by Cameron Mackintosh and Disney, which opened on Broadway in December 2006.
In late 2005 Fellowes made his directorial debut with the film 'Separate Lies.'
He is the presenter of 'Never Mind the Full Stops,' a panel-based gameshow transmitted on BBC Four from mid-2006.
On 28 April 1990, he married Emma Joy Kitchener (a Lady-in-Waiting to Princess Michael of Kent, and great-great-niece of the 1st Earl Kitchener) and assumed the name Kitchener-Fellowes by deed enrolled with the College of Arms in 1998.
{Wikipedia}
Fellowes is the youngest son of Peregrine Fellowes (a diplomat and Arabist who campaigned to have Haile Selassie restored to his throne during World War II). Julian inherited the title of Lord of the Manor of Tattershall from his father, making him the fourth Fellowes to hold it. He was educated at Ampleforth College, Magdalene College, Cambridge, and at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art.
He played the part of Lord Kilwillie in the television series 'Monarch of the Glen.' Other notable acting roles included the part of Claud Seabrook in the acclaimed 1996 BBC drama serial 'Our Friends in the North.' He has twice notably portrayed George IV as the Prince Regent in the 1982 television version of 'The Scarlet Pimpernel' and the 1996 adaptation of Bernard Cornwell's novel 'Sharpe's Regiment.'
He wrote the screenplay for 'Gosford Park,' directed by Robert Altman, for which he won an Oscar for Best Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen in 2002.
His novel 'Snobs' was published in 2004. It focused on the social nuances of the upper class. Fellowes has described himself as coming from the "rock bottom end of the top", and drew on his knowledge of Society to paint a detailed portrait of the behaviour and snobbery of the upper class. 'Snobs' was a Sunday Times Best Seller and has now been published in many countries.
In the 1970s he also wrote romantic novels, using the names Rebecca Greville and Alexander Morant.
He launched a new series on BBC One in 2004, 'Julian Fellowes Investigates: A Most Mysterious Murder,' which he wrote and also introduced on screen.
He also penned the script to the current West End musical 'Mary Poppins,' produced by Cameron Mackintosh and Disney, which opened on Broadway in December 2006.
In late 2005 Fellowes made his directorial debut with the film 'Separate Lies.'
He is the presenter of 'Never Mind the Full Stops,' a panel-based gameshow transmitted on BBC Four from mid-2006.
On 28 April 1990, he married Emma Joy Kitchener (a Lady-in-Waiting to Princess Michael of Kent, and great-great-niece of the 1st Earl Kitchener) and assumed the name Kitchener-Fellowes by deed enrolled with the College of Arms in 1998.
{Wikipedia}
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
February 24, 2017
I liked this season scripts better. I've actually seen many of the deleted scenes, that were filmed anyway, from the first season. I haven't been able to see season 2 missing scenes or not as many. Perhaps less were filmed. Anyway, again, this adds depth to what is scene on screen. I also greatly enjoyed the scenes and lines as well as characters borrowed from Julian Fellowes own life and experiences. As I've said before, it really explains why the Aristocracy is so noble in Downton Abbey but behaves much more realistically in Gosford Park.
All in all a good addition to the show if you're a fan.
All in all a good addition to the show if you're a fan.
February 1, 2014
Every Downton fan should most definitely read this book! Cut scenes that explain many unclear things from s2; new information on sets, characters, and actors; entire storylines that were never aired; Julian Fellowes's commentaries on which scenes worked and which he thought to be problematic; Fellowes's own interesting anecdotes... All in all, this book is a heavenly gift to all the fans. I can't wait for the scripts for seasons three and four!
January 9, 2021
This was just perfect, I love the show so much and to be able to read the scripts makes my theatre kid heart leap. Season 2 is just amazing and the scripts really reflect that. The commentary is a nice touch with ideas and events all explained and the extra content (e.g cut scenes) really helps you envisage this world.
May 23, 2021
So I'm not actually finished the book, but I quite enjoyed the few episodes I have watched while reading along! I have learned that the trick is not to read it as a 'book' per say, but to watch the episodes and read it as a kind of companion commentary.
July 29, 2021
Season 2 is my fave season of Downton! There’s so much extra content and history in here! Essential reading for any Downton fan, it’s like having a textbook for Downton. Sybil and Tom are my fave Downton couple and this season is really their’s.
September 24, 2017
Of course, I give have to give this book 5 stars. I love this show so much and I loved the commentary provided by Julian Fellows.
October 9, 2019
Sublime
I now officially love Downton Abbey! Better late than never!! Looking forward to series 3! Very very well done. Thank you.
I now officially love Downton Abbey! Better late than never!! Looking forward to series 3! Very very well done. Thank you.
May 22, 2022
Greatly enjoyed this historical fiction.
🎥Movie version.
🎥Movie version.
January 18, 2018
Lovely book. Fascinating to see what was edited out of the series.
September 17, 2024
The Downton Abbey Season 2 script is just as good as the first one, offers an in-depth experience for fans, adding layers to the storylines and characters we know from the screen. One of the most enjoyable aspects of this script is the inclusion of deleted scenes, many of which never made it to the aired episodes. While Season 1 had more of these filmed, it seems fewer were produced for Season 2, making these glimpses even more valuable. These extra scenes add depth and context, helping to clarify moments that might have felt incomplete or ambiguous in the show.
A notable highlight is the way Julian Fellowes incorporates elements of his own life and experiences into the series. This personal touch provides a richer understanding of certain scenes and lines, showcasing why the portrayal of aristocracy in Downton Abbey has a certain idealised quality compared to the more grounded and realistic depiction in Gosford Park.
In addition, the book includes Fellowes' insightful commentary on what worked well and which scenes he found problematic, offering a behind-the-scenes look into the creative process. His anecdotes and reflections are both entertaining and informative, making this script a must-read for any Downton Abbey fan.
A notable highlight is the way Julian Fellowes incorporates elements of his own life and experiences into the series. This personal touch provides a richer understanding of certain scenes and lines, showcasing why the portrayal of aristocracy in Downton Abbey has a certain idealised quality compared to the more grounded and realistic depiction in Gosford Park.
In addition, the book includes Fellowes' insightful commentary on what worked well and which scenes he found problematic, offering a behind-the-scenes look into the creative process. His anecdotes and reflections are both entertaining and informative, making this script a must-read for any Downton Abbey fan.
January 3, 2014
As soon as I completed the scripts for the first season, I preordered the second season - THAT is how much I loved the first set. The second season - which was delayed quite a few times - was well worth the wait. They are set up just like the scripts from season one. There are footnotes, historical backstories, deleted scenes and behind the scene info throughout the book. Julian inserts his own stories throughout in the reasoning behind why some of the scenes were written a certain way or who a character was based upon.
While there weren't as many revelations in this season as there were the first, the backstories and cut scenes (there is an entire storyline that was removed from the Christmas Special and moved to Season 3) are still there though and lend a bit more oomph so to say to the stories that we are told. There's some extra lines of Lavinia's that I am sad they cut, while they weren't terrible they made her a bit more well-rounded with the ability to be a bit snarky (although I did adore that character).
I hope that Season 3's scripts (as heart-wrenching as they will be to read!) aren't too far behind!
While there weren't as many revelations in this season as there were the first, the backstories and cut scenes (there is an entire storyline that was removed from the Christmas Special and moved to Season 3) are still there though and lend a bit more oomph so to say to the stories that we are told. There's some extra lines of Lavinia's that I am sad they cut, while they weren't terrible they made her a bit more well-rounded with the ability to be a bit snarky (although I did adore that character).
I hope that Season 3's scripts (as heart-wrenching as they will be to read!) aren't too far behind!
April 11, 2014
Will Bates and Anna finally get together? Who will win the heart of Lady Mary? What snappy, memorable barb will Dowager Countess Violet delight us with next? Once again, Julian Fellowes has written a masterpiece of a story with well developed characters real enough to step off the screen (and in this case the page) and into our lives. The interrelationships above and below the floors of an upscale, aristocratic, English family and their servants are what make this series so deserving of its many awards. Fellowes added commentaries that accompany the full shooting scripts are what I love most about reading these volumes. Make sure you've seen seasons 1-4 first before treating yourself to these hard text versions of the show as Fellowes mentions spoilers in his commentary regarding the fate of certain characters in later seasons. I absolutely cannot wait for the Complete Scripts, Season Three.
March 30, 2016
I know, I know, what am I doing? Four book reviews in one night? Sheesh! The fact is I've been terrible at logging my reading, and I've read some stuff since the first of the year that I can't even remember. So much for quality literature.
Anyway, now THIS is more like it. Loved the script! Loved to see what was actually kept in the show and what was taken out. Interesting to find out that a rather important plot point for one character in the series was originally intended to be part of series two, and that they shot a great deal of it before making the decision to move it to season 3. Must say, I especially loved all the actual history in this book, all of Julian Fellow's insights into the characters and story, where some of the characters got their names, etc. etc. Will definitely be reading book 3 and hoping for the others!
Anyway, now THIS is more like it. Loved the script! Loved to see what was actually kept in the show and what was taken out. Interesting to find out that a rather important plot point for one character in the series was originally intended to be part of series two, and that they shot a great deal of it before making the decision to move it to season 3. Must say, I especially loved all the actual history in this book, all of Julian Fellow's insights into the characters and story, where some of the characters got their names, etc. etc. Will definitely be reading book 3 and hoping for the others!
March 20, 2020
Scripts are a little weird to read, at least for me. I got this book out of the library, and the copy was a little messed up (some pages appeared twice while others were missing entirely) but quarantine measures are affecting me seeing about other copies.
I liked seeing some of the scenes rendered textually, although I remain sure that Fellowes lives in a rather rarefied environment, and some of his notes just beggar description to be honest. (For example, when he says that Daisy feeling misused and negative is because she won’t just ask the right person for wear she wants like everyone has that opportunity in life.)
I liked seeing some of the scenes rendered textually, although I remain sure that Fellowes lives in a rather rarefied environment, and some of his notes just beggar description to be honest. (For example, when he says that Daisy feeling misused and negative is because she won’t just ask the right person for wear she wants like everyone has that opportunity in life.)
July 25, 2016
I really like the comments that Julian Fellowes adds at the bottom of the pages. It's like director's commentary w/o being annoying. It's also interesting to learn about scenes that were cut or altered. But at the same time, all of the personal information that he gives for certain lines or scenes gets a bit repetitive and at times boring. Over all, I enjoyed it. I don't know if I'll get season 3 if they come out with it b/c this one is over 500 pages and I just don't have room on my bookshelves anymore! :)
December 6, 2014
The second season of Downton Abbey was to me the best and not just because of the couple pictured on the cover. Joanne Froggatt and Brendan Coyle bring it big time as Anna Smith and John Bates always but especially in Season Two.
It's fun to read the scripts and see what's been cut for time. Makes me anxious to see the 5th season starting in January as Downton Abbey bravely faces a changing world.
It's fun to read the scripts and see what's been cut for time. Makes me anxious to see the 5th season starting in January as Downton Abbey bravely faces a changing world.
July 26, 2015
interesting to read the scripts and get to see there was more to the show then when only just watch it. although I did not like some of Julian fellowes commentary. he seems to have very negative views for the most part. especially when comes to the disabled and the elderly. I guess if you are not perfect or Maggie Smith then have no right to exist on this planet.
February 1, 2016
I enjoyed reading the deleted lines/scenes however didn't feel they added much additional information as in the first season. Julian Fellowes' commentary was dull in comparison. It mostly revolved around the war and historical reasons why various things were added in, which personally wasn't my draw to Downton. I did enjoy the background information given to the "Patrick Crawley" episode.
December 2, 2025
I know I gave the first one 5-stars but I would have to say this one is better. That is simply based on the fact there are more notes. That is the real reason to read these books. We know the dialogue already, altho there are a fair number of scenes and lines shown here that were cut, but the notes add alot of interesting context. I'm just sad there are only books for the first 3 seasons.
November 27, 2021
Absolutely fascinating, just like the first book.
I love the 'deleted scenes', and reading why they were deleted, the commentary is lovely, and it's almost like watching the show over again. You read it in the character's voices!
If you love the series & love to read, this is for you.
I love the 'deleted scenes', and reading why they were deleted, the commentary is lovely, and it's almost like watching the show over again. You read it in the character's voices!
If you love the series & love to read, this is for you.
January 3, 2014
Loved it! Reading Fellowes's notes and explanations adds to the enjoyment of the tv series. He provides history behind customs and traditions and shares where he got ideas for certain scenes including some taken from his own family memories. This is definitely a book to re-read and savor again.
March 6, 2014
Still have not watched any of the episodes but am enjoying reading the scripts. Very well done and easy to see why the show is such a hit. The historical and social notes make the books very interesting reading.
May 19, 2014
Really good to be in this drama. I wish I could; especially in time to support Mary, Sybil, Anna and Daisy when there are a lot of things they have to face. Which I understand they really need someone who is called friend to give them an advice. To stand by them for their courageous.
January 6, 2014
Really enjoy reading the scripts and commentary after seeing the episodes.
January 23, 2014
Great addition to my Downton Abbey collection, cannot wait for Season Three complete scripts.
June 27, 2020
Like the season 1 scripts, this is a must for any Downton fan. I can't wait for the seasons 3 and 4 scripts to be released...love the behind the scenes insight from Mr. Fellowes.
February 19, 2014
Love this...It has extra scenes and notes from Julian Fellowes too.
August 3, 2014
Impatiently waiting for Season 3 to come out. Learn something every time that was cut or the history behind some scenes.
January 12, 2015
Great series. Interesting to read the scripts.
March 11, 2016
My first script reading for the best season of Downton Abbey, maybe the war made it more dramatic.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews