Downton Abbey: finale hits ratings high but first season is the most popular Downton Abbey season four concluded in dramatic style on Sunday night, not least with regards to ratings figures. The finale was viewed by 10.5 million people at its peak and gained an average overnight audience of 9.8 million, 40 per cent of Britons watching TV at the time. This was the biggest audience of the year for Julian Fellowes' drama, however Sunday's episode was beaten on ratings by Strictly Come Dancing. Despite season four's more dramatic plotlines, including a rape, an illegitimate pregnancy and an interracial relationship in the 1920s country estate, the figures are slightly down on the 9.7 million people who watched the drama's previous series. In 2010, an average 8.8 million people tuned in to watch Downton's first season, followed by 9.5 in season two. According to figures generated by a Telegraph poll, of all the seasons and Christmas Specials, the first season was the most popular with readers. Nearly 35 per cent of the 1320 votes cast in the poll said that season one of Downton Abbey was the best. Season four was voted the third most popular, with 18 per cent of the vote, closely following the season two Christmas special, which had 20 per cent of the vote.