Anna May Bates (nÊe Smith) (b. 1886[1]) was head housemaid at Downton Abbey and is currently lady's maid to Lady Mary Crawley. She is one of the highest-ranking of the female servants in Downton, other than Mrs. Hughes and Miss O'Brien. She was worried that she has missed out on her chance at marriage, however she later married John Bates. She is sweet, kind, and always respectful. Anna is popular both downstairs and upstairs; the servants have a lot of respect for her and she's not afraid of standing up to people like O'Brien.