The beginners' guide to Downton Abbey

After six series, Downton Abbey is coming to an end with one final Christmas special.

It's set to be one of the TV events of Christmas Day, but if one of the world's biggest shows has passed you by, have no fear.

It's true to say you've missed loads; the sinking of the Titanic, World War One, a royal scandal and a dog called Isis.

But assuming you have no idea who Mrs Patmore, Bates or Lord Grantham are, here is Newsbeat's beginners' guide to... Downton Abbey.

*** WARNING: There are obviously A LOT of spoilers.

Downton Abbey is the home of Lord and Lady Grantham and their family.

They're waited on by their servants.

There are a lot of dinner parties.

A lot of the time it has been to try to find Lady Mary a husband.

She used to be married to Matthew Crawley but he died in a car crash (in a Christmas special).

Following that the ladies retire for a chinwag.

Watch out for Lady Edith's worried face and Lady Mary's side-eye during these exchanges - the two sisters don't get on.

At all.

Ever.

Time in Downton moves really fast.

Series one began in 1912 with the sinking of the Titanic.

World War One then happened in Series Two and by Series Three we're in the 1920's.

Look out for newspapers and the introduction of new technology to work out what era they're in.

Maggie Smith (aka Professor McGonagall) plays the Dowager Countess.

We love her and so will you.

She comes up with some cracking put downs only grandmothers can get away with.

Living the life of luxury she has seven days off in the week.

The Irish bloke walking around the drawing room is Tom Branson, the family's chauffeur-done-good. He married Lord Grantham's youngest daughter after a cheeky kiss in the garage but he's now a trusted member of the clan and an all round good guy.

Keep an eye out for actors from Game of Thrones making an appearance.

There've been weddings both upstairs (the posh bit) and downstairs (the servants bit). Most recently we swooned as the butler Mr Carson got hitched to the housekeeper Mrs Hughes.

But at Downton just because weddings are being planned, doesn't mean they always go ahead in the end.

Don't be thinking all weddings at Downton are lavish affairs either.

They had a deathbed one once so footman William could marry kitchen maid Daisy.

You should also know if anyone refers to Marigold she's the illegitimate daughter of Lady Edith but not everyone in the family knows that yet. (Marigold's father had intended to marry Edith but vanished in Germany).

Downton Abbey's last episode will be aired on ITV1 on 25 December at 8.45pm.

Watch the trailer for Downton's Christmas episode.

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