Anna Bates, played by Joanne Froggatt, was raped in the most recent episode of Downton Abbey
Downton Abbey fans have reacted with horror to the disturbing rape of much-loved character Anna Bates, with one saying it was akin to having “a murder on Teletubbies”.
Other fans threatened to boycott the show or complain to regulator Ofcom, after being left shocked by the violent sexual attack.
The show lost more than a million viewers this weekend, following widespread complaints over last week’s “boring” plotlines.
An average of 9million viewers watched the period drama on ITV from 9pm, compared with 9.2million last Sunday.
But the shock twist – which was pre-empted by a warning at the start of the show - left the remaining die-hard fans squirming in their seats.
In the plot Lady Mary’s maid Anna, played by Joanne Froggatt, was seen leaving an opera performance by visiting singer Dame Kiri Te Kanawa to fetch something for her headache.
Downstairs she was confronted by guest valet Mr Green – played by ex-EastEnder Nigel Harman – who tried to kiss her against her will and then punched her in the face before dragging her off for the rape.
Afterwards a bruised and bloodied Anna was seen cowering in a corner, sobbing her heart out.
Viewer Francesca Williams declared she will no longer watch the show, saying: “Why?
"Why is there a rape scene on my television? This is horrible. Definitely not watching Downton Abbey again.”
Others suggested it was a desperate ploy by writer Julian Fellowes to pull in more viewers.
Bidisha said: “What is it with male writers scribbling in a quick rape of a woman to spice things up? ITV/Downton raped a woman and can never take it back.”
Viewer Alexia Light tweeted that Fellowes owes viewers an apology over the ‘sick and sensationalist’ scene.
Another, Gehenna, tweeted: “For family drama Downton Abbey to use violence against women as a plot point is morally reprehensible.
"I can’t support Julian Fellowes in depicting rape in a show that treats missing tuxedo shirts as a major crisis.”
AJ, from Bournemouth, said: “This always happens with any series.
"Must be when the writers start to run out of ideas...Good job Bill and Ben isn’t still on. God knows what they’d be up to these days.”
Clare Kirwan said: “The rape scene in Downton Abbey has shocked me to the core, I was looking for mediocre to poor period drama - nothing mentally scaring.”
Viewer Caroline Farrow, described the scenes of sexual violence as ‘very distressing’.
J Lawson from London added: “Wouldn’t it be nice to watch a drama these days (period or modern) without having violence to women brought into it. Seems like there is any excuse to squeeze in a bit of this abhorrent crime.
"It seem to the be norm now - rape seems to feature at some point in almost EVERY single series.
"Why? Realism or not - most of us DON’T want to have it brought to our evenings in.”
Loulou B, from West Midlands, agreed: “It actually did make me feel very sick.
"Of course these things have always happened but I look forward to seeing Mr Green punished for his horrific crime against the loveable Anna Bates.”
And viewer Zoe suggested that the plot was the equivalent of a killing on a children’s TV show: “Having a rape on Downton is like having a murder on Teletubbies.”
At the start of the show, viewers were told “This episode contains violent scenes that some viewers may find upsetting”
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