Tonight on PBS Masterpiece Theater the story of Upstairs, Downstairs continues. The original classic series was broadcast in the U.S. from 1971 to 1975 in 68 episodes. Set in England from 1903 to the mid-1930s, Upstairs, Downstairs depicts the class differences between the servants who live “downstairs” and their masters who live “upstairs.” This new series is set in 1936, the Year of Three Kings (George V died, Edward VIII abdicated, and George VI–of The King’s Speech fame–comes to power). Change is in the air. PBS plans to broadcast three 1-hour episodes: the first one tonight, then April 17, and the last one April 24. BBC1 has ordered 12 more episodes for 2012. If you’ve seen this series, you know the quality of performances and the drama of the historical setting. Check your local listings for times and stations.
I’m looking forward to seeing Jean Marsh and Eileen Atkins in this. I’ve read mixed reviews: the NY Times said it was better than the original series while the NY Daily News said it’s not as good as DOWNTON ABBEY.
Three 45 minute shows, however, seems too short to do more than whet your appetite.
I guess we’ll see tonight.
The good ratings for this “Season Six” of UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS has the BBC1 ordering a dozen more episodes for next year, Jeff. I think these three episodes were a “toe in the water” test to see if there was still an audience for this kind of drama.
I must watch–if only to discover who that man is playing the piano and how he relates to the rest of the characters.
Change is afoot, indeed!
I agree, Deb. I just hope they don’t shoot the piano player.
I am dubious it will be as good as DOWNTON ABBEY. But will watch, of course.
DOWNTOWN ABBEY sets the bar pretty high, Patti. And these new episodes of UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS still have to conform to the story-lines set up in the original series.
Well, it was no DOWNTON ABBEY (at least so far), but worth another try. Eileen Atkins (in a role somewhat analogous to Maggie Smith’s in DOWNTON) was the best thing in it.
I’m with you, Jeff. UPSTARIRS, DOWNSTAIRS was nothing to write home about. But we’ll hang in there for the next three episodes.
I liked it more than you two, I guess. They were handicapped by the need to tie it into the original. And a gutsy choice to make the lord and lady of the manor young.
Much of the hour episode concerned setting things up, Patti. I’ll be interested in how the characters interact in the next two episodes.