Julian Fellowes, the screenwriter behind ITV’s hit drama Downton Abbey, has strongly denied accusations of plagiarism and expressed frustration over what he perceives as persistent negativity from critics. Fellowes defended himself after viewers highlighted striking similarities between scenes in Downton Abbey and those in the novel Little Women and the 1942 film Mrs. Miniver. He dismissed claims of deliberate copying, acknowledging only that the resemblances were coincidental.
Concerns were first raised in The Daily Telegraph when a viewer noted that a flower show subplot in Downton Abbey mirrored a similar storyline in Mrs. Miniver. Another viewer later observed that a mishap involving salt and sugar in a pudding bore a resemblance to a scene in Little Women. Responding to the accusations, Fellowes admitted to being familiar with both works but said he had not revisited them in years. He suggested it was possible that elements from those stories had unconsciously influenced his writing.
Fellowes expressed dismay at the ongoing criticism despite Downton Abbey’s popularity and ITV’s decision to commission a second series. He voiced particular frustration at what he called “permanent nit-picking,” accusing critics of approaching his work with a politically motivated bias. However, he conceded that criticism of the show’s historical inaccuracies was not confined to one political perspective.
The screenwriter also responded to a satirical column by Craig Brown, who mocked Fellowes’ alleged obsession with etiquette and social class. Fellowes dismissed the piece as an unwarranted personal attack, adding that such negativity disheartened him but would not deter him from continuing his work on the show.
Comparisons Between Plotlines
Critics have highlighted parallels between Downton Abbey and earlier works:
- In Downton Abbey, the Countess of Grantham announces a new winner at the annual flower show after being confronted about the fairness of the judging. This mirrors a scene in Mrs. Miniver where Lady Beldon renounces her win to recognise a deserving competitor.
- A subplot involving a pudding mishap in Downton Abbey is compared to Little Women, where a similar culinary error occurs.
Fellowes maintains that any similarities are purely coincidental, asserting his commitment to storytelling and dismissing allegations of intentional borrowing.
