For over a decade, Downton Abbey has been more than a series – it’s been a sanctuary for
fans who found comfort, drama, and heart within its grand halls. As the story draws to a close
with The Grand Finale, actress Raquel Cassidy, who brought the beloved Miss Baxter to life,
reflects on the emotions of saying goodbye. She joined KJ McGlinn and Katie Schrock from
The Kinda Nerdy Girls on KJ TODAY and on behalf of Geek Vibes Nation to talk about the joy, nostalgia, and moments that made her time at Downton Abbey truly unforgettable.
KJ: There are a lot of people right now who are uber-nerdy and having great big feels about the
fact that Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale is an ending. I know you’ve been out there talking
about it for a while. Before we get into deep-dive questions about the actual movie – when
were your big feels? Was it wrapping up the show, or are you still having them as you talk about
it?
RAQUEL: No, not really as I talk about it now, but it was definite… It was two moments. One
was right at the beginning where we were doing the read-through and we were all together, and
our American counterparts were Zooming in, and everyone who could be in the room was in the
room, including Julian, Gareth, everyone. Costume, makeup, you name it — they were all there.
And Gareth said some words, Julian said some words, and obviously we honored Maggie
because she’d passed, and it… all my hair stood on end. And then we had that song which is
the song that opens the film — which ends on goodbye. But we had it in this little room where
we were all kind of crushed in, masses of people crushed in, and it was unbelievable. That was
a very moving moment — a moment of excitement and of trying to honor what we’d had.
And then my final day of filming — I was kind of taken over by feelings I didn’t even realize I
had. I was shaking, crying… I didn’t realize that was gonna happen. I was upset, but I didn’t
realize it was going to overtake me. So yeah — tissues. Tissues were needed.
KATIE: So it’s the end – you’ve had this amazing role as Miss Baxter, you’ve gone through so
much: trials, a marriage proposal with Mosley, a new role at the end of this movie. What are you
gonna miss most from this?
RAQUEL: I’m definitely gonna miss Baxter because she was noble as they come, and she had
a really soft, gentle, but very honorable personality. So she’s definitely someone I want to come
with me for the rest of my life. Outside of her, it’s everyone I worked with – cast, crew… there’s something very beautiful about being with the same people, doing the same stuff, having all the normal day-to-day things, and stepping into characters that all know each other. You don’t really get that. And if, on top of
that, you have people all over the world in the wings going, “Do it, do it – we wanna see more,”
there’s nothing like that. The door’s closed, other doors will open, and you have to live with it – and there’s something really beautiful about that.
KATIE: What are some special moments or memories you have from the set that you’re gonna
laugh about later or cherish – maybe something that’ll always be your little secret?
RAQUEL: If you were doing flashbacks for me, they would definitely be in the servants’ hall. I
think it’s after the Carsons get married and we’re dancing – that scene took days to film. We
were sitting around, being incredibly stupid. I was entertained by Kevin (who plays Carson) and
Brendan (who plays Mr. Bates). I was sat between the two of them and they just made me
giggle. We were silly because we were tired but also having great fun. Then we’d cut to singing Auld Lang Syne on the last day… I’d also have my first moment walking on set. I’d been told that Siobhan, who played my lady’s maid before me, had dropped a tray on her first day – and I’m going, “Don’t drop the tray, don’t drop the tray.” But then Elizabeth (Lady Cora) is absolutely gorgeous. Baxter’s nervous, Raquel’s nervous – it couldn’t be more exquisite. And there’d be flashes of all the juicy scenes I got to do, but there are also moments like when all the servants are outside and I turn to Jo (who plays Anna) and I go, “I want Downton Abbey.” Because I was a fan! I loved Downton, and then suddenly I’m in it and I have to behave like a normal human being – and it absolutely wasn’t.
For the full interview, check it out on Geek Vibes Nation’s YouTube channel – thanks to KJ and Katie for this amazing interview and for Raquel making the time to speak with us! Are you a fan of Downton Abbey?
A girl with too many fandoms to count.
