(Note: This post isspoiler-free.)

But how will the final hour play out?

Plotting the final season was relatively straightforward.

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Credit: Nick Briggs/Carnival Film & Television Limited 2015 for MASTERPIECE

Its very satisfying because it was really working up how we wanted them to end up.

No, not at all.

It really felt that because these characters are so beloved, they had to have decent endings.

We knew that people would hate [Mary] for that moment, Neame says.

Having brought her to this real low point, she can then swing back.

The finale ofDownton Abbeyairs Sunday at 9 p.m. For even moreDownton Abbey,pick upLIFEs Downton Abbey: Behind the Scenes of the Iconic TV Show.