My latest British viewing habit is now the infamous historical drama of, Downton Abbey, normally aired in the US on PBS that follows the lives of the Crawley family. It has been stated that its based on the Earls and the Countesses of Carnavon who still reside at Highclere Castle in Hampshire although the location of the show places it in Yorkshire.
The drama shares the lives of both the family upstairs of marriage, untimely death, women’s rights and the influence of the Americans. Downstairs is more about work conflict, education, and voices of the working class. Two different worlds under one roof that come together under good news and tragedy.
After watching Agatha Christie’s Piorot and Miss Marple then Investigator Morse and others, I was running out of what to watch. Prior to crossing the “pond,” I did enjoy Murder, She Wrote and other older American crime dramas. In truth, the Hallmark Channel grew tiring of the basic story line of boy meets girl, boy dates girl, boy and girl have challenges and tested then realize that they are meant to be then get married. Think a combination of both Hallmark and of crime dramas closely represent real life. Truthfully, I found “Shetland” and “Luther” both rather intense in the first minutes of the first episode of the series which I might try again watching them both. Soon, I will be seeking a new British series to involve myself with. Open to suggestions that you have to share, please and thank you.
Truthfully, well written and well casted television is worthy to stand the test of time. The better the writers that find actors and actresses plus supporting roles of directors, cameramen and costume designers plus others too many to mention who help make this show seem real.
Thank you once again,
Leslie Elizabeth David.