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costume dramas, Downton Abbey, Elizabeth Bennet, favorite period dramas, ITV, Jane Austen, Julian Fellowes, Mr. Darcy, period dramas, Pride and Prejudice
Will Lady Mary and Matthew realize they are meant for one another? Or will Matthew marry the mysterious Lavinia? And what about O’Brien, Lady Cora’s scheming maid, and her co-conspirator, Thomas the footman? Will they get the comeuppance they deserve? What is Moseley hiding? Will Sybil forsake her family for Branson?
If you know what I’m talking about, then you must be a fan of the ITV mini-series Downton Abbey that takes place in 1912 during the reign of King George V.
The search for an heir. Scheming servants. A dead body. Dark secrets and unrequited love. Social order and keeping up appearances. These elements are expertly woven into a mesmerizing story, which profiles the family of the Earl of Grantham and his servants, all residents of the Downton Abbey estate.
I’m a huge fan of period dramas. Wives and Daughters, North and South, The Buccaneers, The Way We Lived Now, The Lost Prince, The Forsyte Saga, The Cazalets…I could go on and on.
From: pbs.org
Afraid I’d be suckered in and lose focus on my writing, I purposely ignored the initial Downton hype and the FB and Twitter posts during the first season. But after I finished my mind-numbing synopsis, I rewarded myself by watching the entire first season in one sitting.
I haven’t been hooked on a period drama since I watched Colin Firth in the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice on PBS several years ago. As the credits rolled on the episode leading up to Mr. Darcy’s proposal to Elizabeth Bennet, I bolted downstairs to the garage and hopped in my car. I couldn’t wait another week to find out what happened in the next episode.
Upon arrival at the video store, I scanned the “P” shelf. The woman standing next to me shot me an apologetic look and asked, “Are you looking for this?” She held up the only copy of the next episode.
Rats.
We chatted for a few minutes about the episode that had just aired and exchanged recommendations on period dramas. The next day, I learned that my best friend had also raced to the video store in hopes of retrieving the same episode. She came up empty too. To satisfy her need to know what happened next, she found a copy of P&P in husband’s library and stayed up all night reading.
I think Jane Austen would find our antics highly amusing.
Unfortunately with Downton Abbey, I can’t read ahead and find out what’s going to happen next because the series is based on a screenplay. The good news is that Julian Fellowes, the series creator, is penning a third season for ITV.
Downton Abbey has received tons of media attention. It won a Golden Globe for Best Mini-Series. It’s inspired Downton Abbey viewing parties where rabid fans serve pots of tea and finger sandwiches.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/19/fashion/downton-abbey-inspires-themed-viewing-parties.html
There’s also a reading list to satisfy your Downton fix.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/12/business/media/mad-for-downton-publishers-have-a-reading-list.html
If you’re wondering what all the hype is about, you can watch the first season on the PBS site or on Netflix. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/downtonabbey/
Are you a Downton Abbey fan? What are some of your favorite period dramas?
I’m just starting in on season 1….episode 1. I hate Thomas. The brat. But I can tell I’m going to LOVE the show! Great post Jen!
Carrie Cae…
I agree with you on Thomas. I hope the Karma God catches up with him and O’Brien.
Ugh! I need to be watching this series. I keep hearing how fabulous it is, but then I forget to put it in my queue. I also need to figure out when and what channel it’s on and record it. When I search for Downton Abbey, it doesn’t show up because it’s a Masterpiece Theater thing. I guess I’ll just start recording all the MTs and get lucky.
I haven’t heard of a lot of the other series’ you have up there, so I’m going to find those as well. I love period dramas. Period. (that was a lame attempt at a pun).
Hey Tameri!
Season one is available for streaming on Netflix or you can watch it on line via the pbs website. It’s amazing to me how each character has his/her own story.
Oh yes, Jen! I LOVE Downton Abbey – totally hooked after last year and hope it goes on for many years.
Hello Patricia!
Isn’t it terrific? My husband is hooked as well. Love the costumes but I can’t imagine dressing for dinner every night. Do you have a favorite character?
Thanks for the reminder to watch this series…keep hearing about it from those who watched season one—all rave reviews. I’d better get busy…!
Hi Linda!
Carrie’s watching season one right now. I think you and D would enjoy it.
Oh, I’m with Tameri – I’ve heard a lot of good opinions about the series but haven’t watched it yet.
Hi Angela!
If you’re in your writing cave, I’d wait to watch it cause it’s a definite time suck! The writing is terrific and each character, and there are a lot of them, have their own story.
Pingback: Dear Downton Abbey, we love you. | Tameri Etherton
I came over from Tameri’s post. I have grand plans for a Downton viewing party
I’m resisting the urge to purchase the UK release of Season 2, rather than patiently watching every Sunday.
Hi Amber!
I was thinking about having a viewing party too. Any excuse to make little sandwiches and seed cake, right? I saw the DVD for Season Two on Amazon, too. I was tempted to buy it as well.
Meanwhile, I’ll look forward to Sundays. It’s getting better and better. Needed tissues for last night’s episode.
Thanks for stopping by!
I love Downton Abbey and I’m so thrilled to read your post and see the extra links. I was so hoping there would be another season too. Yippee!
I loved The Buccaneers and of course Pride and Prejudice with Colin Firth too. Big sigh. It’s been a long time since T.V. viewing was this much fun.
I feel the need to make a cup of tea and a finger sandwich.
Hello Kate!
I read that Shirley Maclaine is joining the cast in season three as Lady Cora’s mother. She’ll give Lord Grantham’s mother a run for her money. I do love Maggie Smith’s character. Her delivery is perfection.
You know how I feel. Just wanted to share that I have P&P on disc bought by my husband b/c he loved it so much. He was SHOCKED by DA last Sunday which I thought was funny, b/c I saw the old I-can’t-marry-you-because-I’m-half-a-man coming a mile away. Why won’t the man read romance? He’s a sucker for melodrama.
Hey Larissa!
I think most men are lacking that widget that allows them to foresee the emotional minefield around the bend. (After all, they don’t like to use maps, right?) They won’t understand until they’re waist-deep in muckdom. Then they must decide whether to sink or fight.
One of these days, I’ll get my husband to watch P&P.