The drama Downton Abbey first appeared on our TV screens more than a decade ago, and has since run for six seasons and a feature film, with another on the way in December 2021. But how much do the relationships on screen reflect the real sensibilities of the Edwardian period and the interwar years – and how do they serve as a reflection of our own perceptions of early 20th century history? Dr Carolyn Harris explores the depictions of lives both above and below stairs in the hit series…