Downton Abbey continues in 1924, focusing on the Crawley family and their staff. Lady Mary Crawley, the elder daughter, navigates romantic entanglements and societal expectations. Lady Edith Crawley grapples with the secret of her illegitimate daughter, Marigold, and her desire for a fulfilling life. The core conflict revolves around hidden truths, societal pressures, and the characters' pursuit of happiness and security.

Key turning points include Michael Gregson's death being confirmed, leaving Edith devastated and leading her to flee with Marigold. Later, Marigold is adopted into Downton Abbey under a fabricated story, and Robert Crawley finally realizes Marigold is Edith's daughter. The season ends with Anna Bates being arrested for murder, leaving her future and that of her husband, John Bates, in jeopardy.

Season 5 of Downton Abbey covers episodes 1-8. Here's everything that happened:

Season 5, Episode 1: Episode 1 - In 1924, Lady Edith secretly visits her daughter Marigold, and Baxter confesses her criminal past to Cora. **

Season 5, Episode 2: Episode 2 - Jimmy's departure from Downton marks a change in the household. Mary dispatches Anna to acquire contraceptives for her planned tryst with Lord Gillingham, a task Anna finds mortifying but completes. Edith decides to become more involved in Marigold's life, with Farmer Drewe suggesting she pose as her godmother. The family embraces a new wireless, and art historian Simon Bricker flirts with Cora, irritating Robert.

Season 5, Episode 3: Episode 3 - Lady Mary's illicit week with Lord Gillingham ends with her uncertain about marriage, a fact discovered by Spratt. A policeman questions Bates about Green's death, causing Anna distress. Edith is told to stay away from Marigold, an irreversible outcome for her. Cora learns Baxter's secret about past theft. The episode concludes with Prince Kuragin's arrival, revealing a past connection with the Dowager Countess.

Season 5, Episode 4: Episode 4 - Mary attempts to end her affair with Lord Gillingham, who reacts poorly and implies blackmail. Rose's parents, Shrimpy and Susan, announce their divorce, a significant social event for the time. Edith continues to struggle with seeing Marigold, while news arrives about a trial in Germany that might reveal Michael Gregson's fate. Lord Merton proposes to Isobel, who asks for time to consider. Anna is unknowingly followed by a police officer after delivering a note for Mary, putting her and Bates in further jeopardy regarding Mr. Green's death.

Season 5, Episode 5: Episode 5 - Robert confronts Simon Bricker after finding him in Cora's bedroom, resulting in Robert punching Bricker. Tom Branson ends his relationship with Sarah Bunting. Rosamund discovers Edith's secret about Marigold and informs Violet, leading to a plan for Edith to take Marigold to France. The police investigation into Mr. Green's death intensifies, with Anna questioned about her whereabouts in London.

Season 5, Episode 6: Episode 6 - Michael Gregson's death is confirmed, leaving Edith heartbroken. She inherits his publishing company but, distraught and facing Mary's insensitivity, Edith flees Downton with Marigold. Elsewhere, Thomas's painful "therapy" for his homosexuality is revealed, Bates and Anna discuss Green's death, and Isobel accepts Lord Merton's marriage proposal.

Season 5, Episode 7: Episode 7 - Cora learns Edith's secret, leading to Marigold's adoption into Downton Abbey under a new story. Mary ends her engagement to Tony Gillingham. Rose accepts Atticus's proposal, and Lord Merton's sons cause a stir. The episode concludes with Lord Grantham's beloved dog, Isis, peacefully dying.

Season 5, Episode 8: Episode 8 - Lady Rose marries Atticus Aldridge despite her mother's attempts to sabotage the wedding. Robert finally realizes Marigold is Edith's daughter and accepts her, while Tom Branson announces his plan to move to Boston. The episode concludes with the shocking development of Anna Bates being arrested for Mr. Green's murder, leaving her fate uncertain.