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!

Comments

  1. Oooo, I didn't watch last night's episode yet. It looks so good! . . . I saw your comment on Laura's blog about Lark Rise Season 3. It's not on Netflix yet and I passed up an opportunity to buy it with my B&N card for a really low price--so I haven't seen any of it! (sigh) A friend received seasons 1 and 2 of Lark Rise and also Cranford for Christmas. So now I just go to her house to absorb those shows, but I keep looking for Lark Rise to go on sale again!

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  2. Hi Renee! It's available to watch online at PBS here http://video.pbs.org/video/1724131531 :-) I hope you get to watch Season 3 of Lark Rise because it is sooo good! I saw somewhere that Season 4 is just starting up on the BBC too! How exciting right?

    You can't go wrong with Masterpiece in my opinion Juju. I hope you like it if you give it a try!

    XOXO~ Renee

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  3. Thank you sooooooo much for posting about this...I forgot all about it starting up and didn't get to see it last night. :( But I checked my local listings ;) and it's coming on again Tuesday morning...2 a.m! So I'll record it. :) Thanks again for reminding me. :)

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  4. Oh, Renee, There's some buzz about this over on my blog:) Am glad you're right on it!! Happy viewing, dear friend!

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  5. Yah!! I've got it "DVRing" at 2am. I've never really watched any of the Masterpiece movies, but I've been convinced. I've missed so many that others have blogged about. They all look so good. :)

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  6. Angie! I'm glad my post was a reminder to you...I love to help! :-D

    Laura- I saw the "buzz" and it's well worth watching! I hope you like it!

    BlueRose- I'm loving it so far! I still think the Jane Austen films that were featured on PBS a few years back were my faves but I think this will be towards the top of the list too. :-)

    XOXO~ Renee

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  7. Great review, Renee! There is SO much to "digest" and write about when it comes to this series - the cast is just HUGE! LOL!

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  8. I know I was not surprised that your review was so long and in two parts LOL! This has the makings of a great series!

    XOXO~ Renee

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