Downton Abbey meets Alien: Blood vomit scene makes viewers sick

A scene from the final episode of Downton Abbey.

* This story contains spoilers.

Thousands of Downton Abbey fans were left green around the gills when a character vomited blood during a dinner scene in the latest episode of the period drama.

The final season of the hit show began airing in the UK in September but the latest episode, broadcast on Sunday night, has sparked a storm online.

In a grisly scene, the Earl of Grantham, played by Hugh Bonneville, falls ill and unexpectedly projectile vomits blood over fellow guests at a dinner party.

Fans took to social media in droves to complain about the stomach-churning moment.

Many accused producers of taking the show down an unwelcome graphic route, while others compared it to gory horror movies Saw, Alien, and The Exorcist.

Viewers were warned before the broadcast that the episode featured "shocking scenes".

Officials at UK TV watchdog, the Office of Communications, had received three complaints by Monday which they will assess before deciding whether to investigate further.

Blimmin' heck, Mrs Patmore's cooking has gone downhill #DowntonAbbey pic.twitter.com/Tne9sGl32P

— Joe Michalczuk (@joemichalczuk) October 18, 2015

Downton Abbey just made The Walking Dead look like My Little Pony...

— Maria Vincent (@mariajvincent) October 18, 2015

Not entirely sure if I'm watching Alien or Downton Abbey... #Downton

— 🍂🎃 Cath 🎃🍂 (@CathPoucher) October 18, 2015

Downton Abbey seems to have gone all Game of Thrones. Good. I approve. Finish the next series with another Red Wedding.

— Andy Ward (@GetItQuietly) October 18, 2015

I'm sort of having a Red Wedding flashback after that bloody dinner scene... 🙈#DowntonAbbey

— Lynsey ✍🏻 (@itslynseyj) October 18, 2015

- WENN