Masterpiece Classic 40th Anniversary Premiere: Downton Abbey

I absolutely adore Masterpiece Classic and look forward to it's premiere every winter season. This year Masterpiece is celebrating it's 40th anniversary with some spectacular new miniseries's including Downton Abbey starring Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovvern and the venerable Maggie Smith. Downton Abbey will air over 4 consecutive weeks with the first episode just having aired tonight and the last airing January 30.

Period dramas are my favorite genre of tv and film to watch unfortunately it seems good pieces are hard to come by on American tv as of late so I get excited when the BBC creates an epic series such as this one. I must say from what I've seen of this series so far it's going to be amazing. I just love Hugh Bonneville and Maggie Smith, it seems like they're in every BBC period drama and it's easy to see why, they're amaaaazing actors. Hugh Bonneville as Lord Grantham is superb. He's the head of the huge estate and has to deal with the death of both the male heirs and the entailment difficulties that ensue as well as deal with three marriageable daughters and a nosey and sassy mother (played by Maggie Smih). Maggie Smith as Dowager Countess is brilliant. There's really not much else I can say about her except she plays British aristocracy so well I think she could put the Queen to shame! As for the Ladies Mary, Edith, and Sybil I can't say as I like them much. Lady Sybil the youngest of the sisters seems the nicest...so far. Mary and Edith seem very "snooty" and not very sisterly towards each other. I'm afraid I won't like them much but hopefully that changes in the next three episodes.

Finally if there's one thing I can say about the BBC they surely do know how to pick a location to film a movie. The scenery is breathtaking and Highclere Castle in Berksire England is simply put--stunning! But not only is the landscape gorgeous the costumes are incredible. I love the Edwardian clothing of both the gentlemen and the ladies in this movie. The formal dining costumes are gorgeous. I really can't say enough about the wonderful work that the producers, directors, costume designers etc. do in films like this. When everything looks so authentic that's it's easy to imagine living in the time and place, they've done their job. I can't wait till next week and if you haven't seen this weeks episode of Downton Abbey I highly recommend it. Since I've already written so much about the Crawley's I'll try to share more about the servants next week. They are an integral part of the film and I can already see who's going to make trouble and who I'm going to like...I think. ;-)

Watch the full episode. See more Masterpiece.

Watch online Jan. 10-22nd @ pbs.org!!!!!!! Enjoy!