Fans of global television phenomenon "Downton Abbey" mourned the British period drama's final episode Monday, but sought comfort in the hope that a one-off Christmas special would settle unfinished scores.

Almost 9 million viewers watched the last episode of the sixth and final series when it aired on British television.

The show follows the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family and their servants in the early 20th century.

In the past five years, it has become one of Britain's biggest ever drama exports with an international audience of around 120 million.

Its creator Julian Fellowes said the costume drama was originally aimed squarely at a British audience, and that its global success had come as a shock.

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