The Absent Presence of Virginia Woolf: Queering Downton Abbey.

A criticism is offered of the historic television series "Downton Abbey." Particular focus is given to the depiction of homosexuality and gay people in the television program, including of references to the persecution of the Irish author Oscar Wilde. The series' portrayal of the relationship between the fictional characters Thomas Barrow and Lady Edith Crawley is discussed. The author suggests that the English writer Virginia Woolf should have been referenced in the series.