I haven’t talked too much TV lately but I just have to share about a new show I’ve caught up on recently that is a must-watch. I’m talking Friday Night Lights-level love here. The BBC show Downton Abbey.
It.
is.
amazing.
Imagine Pride and Prejudice but 8 times better and drawn out as a TV series. I’m serious. It’s that good. Here are 10 things I love about it.
- The show had a great hook right from the start. The show takes place in Yorkshire at Downton Abbey, where the Earl and Countess of Grantham live with their older three daughters. The two male heirs are killed in the Titanic and it sets off the basis for entirety of Season 1.
- The filming quality is that of a movie, not of a TV show. The setting is legitimately filmed at a castle in England. The costumes have won awards and are amazing. It’s just one of those shows that is simply beautiful to watch.
- The show is different from other period pieces like Pride and Prejudice in that it deals moreso with the servants and the running of the house versus the royalty and their dealings. Yes, it’s mixed in but you get a unique look at that period I’ve not seen anywhere else.
- The ensemble cast is spot-on. There is not a bad actor to be found.
- There are good, honorable characters. There is one in particular, Mr. Bates, that is honorable to a fault. One of the servants Anna is a caring woman with integrity. You can’t help but love them dearly.
- There are some great evil characters too. There are two servants in particular that are foul-mouthed, morally destitute and downright scoundrels. I love to hate them but it makes for some GREAT TV.
- There are some funny characters too. The mother of the Earl has the perfect sense of sarcasm I appreciate about the British.
- Because the Earl has three daughters, many of the storylines are about finding them a husband. You know I can’t help but love a good storyline about a couple.
- Each season only has 7 episodes. It’s easy to get caught up but each episode is packed with so much drama so you don’t feel jipped.
- Season 1 is on Netflix! PBS will be airing the second season starting in January so you gotta get caught up!
Seriously, ya’ll. You have to watch. The first episode I would say has the most controversial scene of the whole first season but don’t let that put you off. The rest of the season is amazing. Here’s a promo for the first season. Just watching it makes me want to watch it all again!
This post was linked up with ohAmanda’s Top Ten Tuesday.
I HAVE to watch this show now! OH my word! I am a sucker for all things British and Pride & Prejudice is my favorite book/movie. I could watch it over and over again. LOL
Thank you for sharing about this show!
Becky, you really will love this then. Eek! I can’t wait for you to watch!
I just finished watching season 1 last night and I LOVE THIS SHOW!! Now I am impatiently awaiting season 2!
Oh, Anne, I’m so glad you’re watching, of course you would love it! You didn’t hear this from me but there are ways to watch Season 2 online if you want.
I am so excited! I have been looking for another one of these kinds of series to watch. Very glad I found you via Oh Amanda and her Top Ten Tuesday. This looks awesome! Thank you for sharing this. 😀
I’m in! The actor who says, “We all have chapters we would rather keep unpublished” is my favourite from Knotting Hill (Bernie, the failed Stock Trader). This looks like it will be beautiful to watch. I’ll look out for it.
You’re going to love it!
Other British shows to consider watching (because they are good, not because they are period costume dramas) include: Doctor Who (start with Doctor 9). Torchwood. Sherlock Holmes. Primeval. MI-5. Spaced. The Vicar of Dibley. Extras. Top Gear. And that’s just a few of the ones I love. There are a bunch more I just can’t think of at the moment!
Out of that, I’ve only seen the American version of Top Gear but I hear it’s awful compared to the British version. Wow, definitely a long list to plow through.
DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT watch the American version of Top Gear. The original British version is the ONLY way to go (there’s a reason it’s been on for something like 20 years). Stick with episodes since 2006 and they are all gold. Most, if not all, of those shows are available on Netflix streaming. I know I Claudius, Spaced and Extras are NOT, but the rest should be.
Survivors was good (a drama, not the reality show). I just remembered that one. Hotel Babylon is fun if you like soapy melodramas.
Robin Hood! How can I forget that one! That’s a great one – I think it was on for 3 series? See, don’t get me started – just about all I watch is British TV. *lol* Life on Mars – which was redone in America but not as well.
And if you want a FABULOUS period miniseries (albeit one about ancient times), I highly recommend “I, Claudius” which is one of my favorites of ALL TIME. It was done in 1976 and stars a very young Derek Jac0bi. It’s considered one of the greatest miniseries of all time, and I agree.
Heh. Sorry for hijacking your comments, Amy!
No problem! Love all the great suggestions!
We’ve been looking for a new show since we finished Mad Men on Netflix. I just added this to my instant queue. Thanks for the suggestion!
Just finished Episode 1…so far my favorite part of the show is the lab. IDK, this episode didn’t hook me :/ Starting Episode 2 in hopes I change my mind!