Wednesday, February 9, 2011

I Heart Downton Abbey

Photo Credit: bemoretunedin.wordpress.com
I've posted before about my obsession with BBC and all things British. Well the arrival of Downton Abbey on PBS has truly made me so happy!

Downton Abbey opens with the sinking of the Titanic and how the loss of the male heir to the Grantham estate throws a family and its servants into disarray. While there is much to see in the ornate set design and costumes, Downton Abbey is also a commentary on progress and social structure. 

My most favorite actress in the series is Dame Maggie Smith who plays the Dowager Countess of Grantham. 

Photo Credit: doctorwho76totterslane.blogspot.com
I love Maggie Smith in any movie and she has the best lines such as: 
  • "What is a weekend?"
  • "Put that in your pipe and smoke it!" (when giving a piece of her mind)
  • "Last night! He looked so well. Of course it would happen to a foreigner. No Englishman would dream of dying in someone else's house."
This clip of the Dowager in a swivel chair is hilarious:




A bit of trivia . . .


Each hour of the series cost over 1 million pounds to produce, and is the most expensive British TV show EVER!

While Downton Abbey reminds me a lot about Gosford Park (Julian Fellowes is the same screenwriter), I found it held my interest longer and was more entertaining. It's amazing to think that it wasn't that long ago that people were living that way!

The original BBC airing had 7 episodes, but PBS had 4, 90 minute episodes. The good news is you can watch them all here.

If any of you have watched it please let me know your thoughts. Are you as excited as I am that the series will be filming a 2nd season starting next month? It will air this fall with a holiday special as well; I can't wait to see it!

Also, for some interesting commentary on the series check out this article. {The line about the character who plays Edith looking like Michael Cera in a wig made me laugh!} 

1 comment:

  1. I love British comedy, the Eastenders and Keeping Up Appearances are my FAVORITE shows still today!

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