10 Awesome Downton Abbey Fanfiction Stories to Read in 2024

If you are looking for the best Downton Abbey fanfiction, you have come to the right place. 

Downton Abbey is a British historical drama that is set in the early 20th century. 

There are 6 seasons of this show with 52 episodes, as well as two films. 

This show depicts the lives of the Crawley family and their servants as the deal with the trials and tribulations of the early 1900’s. 

Downton Abbey is a widely popular and very successful show which has inspired many fanfiction stories. 

This article will discuss some of the most popular Downton Abbey fanfiction stories. 

Keep reading to find out more. 

1. Trust and Providence 

The first Downton Abbey fanfiction that we will look at today is one of the most popular in the genre, with over 21,000 hits. 

This story picks up at the end of season one, episode 6, and diverges from the original canon from that point. 

This story takes place from 1914 to 1971, so it spans quite a long time. 

In this story, we see what could have happened if Mary had immediately accepted Matthew’s first proposal. 

This small decision changes everything as we know it, and a really exciting and unique story unfolds. 

There are a lot of great romantic pairings in this story, as well as depictions of faith and philosophy. 

The author of this story goes into detail about wartime, and there are some disturbing images of war, as well as the ramifications that many people face after the war. 

Overall, this excellent story strikes a great balance between fluff, drama, and angst.

2. Howling Stone

Next up is another very popular Downton Abbey fanfiction with close to 18,000 hits. 

This story uses a very popular trope in many fanfiction genres, which is the soul mark. 

A soul mark is something that appears on a person’s skin, and it indicates who their true soulmate is. 

The only trouble, usually, is figuring out how to find that person. 

In this story, each of the Crawley girls has soul marks, and though you may think that would make their lives easier, it doesn’t quite turn out that way. 

When Sybil discovers who her soulmate is, everything changes in an instant. 

This story is dramatic and many claim it reads just like an episode of the show. 

3. A Tooth for a Tooth 

This next Downton Abbey contains some content that some readers may find disturbing. 

So be sure to check out the content warnings before jumping into this story. 

This story deals with rape, alcoholism, and many other mental disorders, but the author handles them with respect and care. 

Though many of the characters in this story have reactions and responses to some of these events that do not seem appropriate, they are fairly typical for the time period. 

In this story, Thomas faces a major challenge that changes his life. 

Dealing with the aftermath of this event is not easy, and it doesn’t seem that he has much support from those around him. 

Though this story can be upsetting at times, it also contains moments of hope.

That said, this story is not for everyone, but it just might be your new favorite Downton Abbey fanfiction. 

4. The War’s End

If you are looking for a Downton Abbey fanfiction that dives deep into the relationship between Mary and Matthew, this is the one for you. 

In this story, Mary confesses her secret to Matthew much earlier than in the original series. 

This confession obviously changes things between them, but they have much more time to deal with it. 

The war is still raging making it difficult to have a relationship, but somehow the two of them find a way. 

This alternate timeline is a unique take on one of the most popular relationships on the show.

5. If Things Were Different 

The next Downton Abbey fanfiction on our list today is a story that focuses on Sybil and Tom. 

This story has many unique elements, but the greatest, perhaps, is that of Tom. 

In this story, Tom makes a name for himself before meeting Sybil. 

There are also some other plot lines at play in this story, such as Robert squandering Cora’s fortune before the sinking of the Titanic as well as Matthew inheriting the money to save Downton before becoming the heir. 

Just about every major plot point in this story differs from what we know, and they each get great attention. 

The author of this story has done a fantastic job of creating a completely alternate universe that feels just as real as the one we know and love. 

6. Blessed are the Merciful 

Next up is a Downton Abbey fanfiction that is quite brief, so it can easily be read over and over. 

With only 1,800 words, this story is just as captivating as any of the longer ones. 

This story picks up with episode 8 of season 3 with Sarah O’Brien feeling horrified by Bates’s smug arrogance. 

But even more than that, she is mortified to learn about Thomas’s betrayal. 

Though Cora, Sarah, and Thomas are the only characters actively involved in this story, it is dynamic and not one to miss.

7. Thomas and the Earl of Findlater 

In this Downton Abbey fanfiction, we get to witness an event that changes the course of history. 

This story opens with the Earl of Findlater making an appearance at Downton Abbey. 

He arrives with news that changes Thomas and O’Brien’s lives forever. 

Not only that but everyone around them is affected as well. 

Without giving too much away, this news entails a long-lost father, a secret inheritance, and plenty of drama. 

This is a story that is full of twists and turns that you likely won’t see coming.

8. But Among Our Own Selves We’ll be Free

The next Downton Abbey fanfiction that we will look at is perhaps the most unique on our list. 

It is certainly the least historically accurate story, which can make things a lot of fun.

After something happens between Thomas and Jimmy, Thomas seeks out conversion therapy to help him heal and move on. 

However, it does not work, and Thomas finds himself in a new and much more accepting community. 

We get to see Thomas make friends, take some unique courses, go camping, and so much more. 

This is generally just a very fun story that is full of interesting adventures for Thomas. 

Other than Thomas, most of the characters in this story are original characters created by the author, and there are a few that you will certainly fall in love with. 

The plot of this story is minimal, so it is a great choice to escape the drama and heaviness of many other stories.

9. A Period of Adjustment 

Up next is another Downton Abbey fanfic that focuses on Thomas and his growth as a person. 

There is a lot of fun character development in this story, and it is very enjoyable to read. 

In this story, Thomas knows he cannot return to normal life after the incident. 

It has effectively changed his life, and he must figure out how to move on. 

He wants to improve himself and become a better person, but those around him are not making it easy on him. 

Despite his best efforts, Thomas is not always successful at becoming a better person. 

There are some dark moments in this story, but there are just as many that are light and happy. 

Thomas eventually finds people who love and support him no matter what.

10. After the Rain 

The final Downton Abbey fanfiction that we will look at today is another fairly short story with less than 10,000 words. 

The two chapters of this story, though short, are full of drama, love, and sorrow. 

There is some difficult content in this story, so proceed with caution. 

In this story, Thomas attempts suicide and effectively changes the lives of everyone around him. 

Those closest to him are forced to reflect on their relationships with him, as well as how they have treated him in the past. 

We get to see several different characters’ reactions to this event and how they choose to deal with it. 

Each reaction is unique, and they are all thoughtfully written.  

Though this story is centered around a very difficult topic, it features a large amount of redemption, friendship, and hope.

Downton Abbey Fanfiction: Conclusion

I hope this article has helped you find some great Downton Abbey fanfiction!

These 10 are just a small sample of all the amazing stories out there.

So you may want to look at the other fanfics with this tag and find own your favorite among them.

And if you have questions about this topic, feel free to leave a message in the comments below!

Lastly, if you want to read more top fanfiction posts on this blog, then check out:

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• The Best Bridgerton Fanfiction to Read in 2022
• 10 Popular Sanditon Fanfiction Stories to Read in 2022