I'm pretty sure that if you've seen Downton Abbey, you are with me on this one. I honestly haven't met anyone who has watched this series who didn't absolutely love it. In fact, I know of more than one person who stayed up all night once they got started, watching the episodes back to back on Netflix Instant. (And if you haven't seen it yet, that's your homework assignment for tonight, you'll thank me tomorrow, even if your boss won't!) It just won a slew of Emmys and, joy of joys, as of this week, it is BACK…
Season One busted out exactly a year ago, in September 2010, airing on ITV in England. It consisted of just 7 episodes and in the year since, over 100 countries have acquired the rights to broadcast it. (Yup, widespread appeal) This past Sunday night (September 18, 2011) marked the start of Season 2 in England, with plans for it to begin airing in the US in January, 2012.
As those of you who have watched the first season know, it's an addictive story set in the years leading up to (and now, during) WWI. With a mix of real world historic events and (shocking!) fictional domestic events, it follows the lives of the residents of a large English country home. And while the somewhat soapy (lovers, cheaters, villiany, lust!) plotlines are undoubtedly compelling, the thing that seems to really capture the imagination of the viewers I know are the details of domestic life and social mores of the time which are wittily interwoven through the story.
Since this is a story of the family who lives at Downton Abbey as well as that of the servants that work there, ala "Upstairs Downstairs", we get a fairly robust history of domesticity circa 1916, while chuckling at the pure ballsyness of the Dowager Countess and being shocked at the latest machinations of Lady Grantham's maid.
And, I haven't even mentioned the sets and costumes, the amazing interiors and gardens. For any lover of design, there is eye candy for days. The real life Downton Abbey is Highclere Castle in Berkshire, used for both the interiors and exteriors. The exception is the servant's living areas, which were constructed off site at a film studio.
According to the Downton Abbey wiki it is now the most successful British period drama since Brideshead Revisited, as well as the top selling DVD box set of all time in England.
So, what can we all do while we wait for Season 2 to get here? Well, we can rewatch Season 1, naturally (it's on Netfix and iTunes, so no excuses). We can read the behind the scenes book which just came out or we can check out the new version of Upstairs Downstairs. What we DON'T want to do is hear any spoilers about Season 2 - the fun is in watching it all play out.
What do you think? Shall we start up an Apartment Therapy + Downton Abbey watching club when January rolls around?
MORE INFO/VIA:
• Downton Abbey - ITV
• Downton Abbey - Wikipedia
Images: Downton Abbey/ITV
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Comments (49)
such a delicious mini-series. can't wait for season 2 to be aired here in the US.
Apartment Therapy + Downton Abbey watching club —LOVE IT, count me in.
Watch the expressions on their faces! One of the best offerings from Masterpiece. I love the background for Masterpiece Mystery--the black and white, touch of red. It would make a great piece of fabric for a skirt!
oh,, I can't wait!!
I fell in love, too, but felt duped by the ending, or lack thereof. :( Supposedly, PBS cut some scenes to fit the series into a four evening format, so there is extra stuff on the Netflix version, which I still plan to watch.
Another great British miniseries is "The Cazalets," about a wealthy family during WWII. It's also available on Netflix, I believe.
i love this series so much. mildly addicted to any BBC TV drama and after having finished Bleak House - needed another fix stat. CANNOT wait for this season to reveal itself. So well done. So glad you love it too!
... yes to "Shall we start up an Apartment Therapy + Downton Abbey watching club when January rolls around"? Disappointed that all the entertainment shows made little mention of DA winning 6 awards. Don't usually watch those shows but wanted to see what they said.
... and check PBS - they are showing the 4 episodes of Season 1 online for a short time. If you have an iPad, get the PBS app free and go straight there with it to watch on iPad - flash not required!
It's on Netflix instant play...this probably spells a dangerous week of non-productivity for me...
Definitely yes to a viewing club! I loved season 1 and my hesitant-at-first husband fell for it too. We just got rid of cable- does anyone know if episodes will be available online as they air in the US?
Elise, even if you've ditched cable PBS should be available free over the air. You just need an antenna! :-)
I loved this when it was on PBS, and plan on watching it again on Netflix. Love it!
Can't wait til January! Did anyone see Elizabeth McGovern at the Emmys? She is one of those "sold her soul" beauties.
Unfortunately, Upstairs Downstairs was no substitute, not even watchable.
I'm in! I've been counting down the days! Love the costumes!! And the story! I hope part 2 has many of the same characters.
'Dallas' for people with no concept of history.
First, lets all agree to NOT watch it on Netflix after the second bomb they dropped on us on Sunday. I'm OBSESSED with this show, I want to have it's babies. So naturally I found a place online to watch it yesterday... I couldn't wait!
I wouldn't recommend Upstairs Downstairs either, it is rubbish compared to Downton Abbey, but Gosford Park is a very good movie alternative if anyone hasn't seen it!
i promise not to spill what happens only that, based on episode 1, season 2 is just as riveting! and that i am thinking of changing the spelling of my name to abbey...
Hurray! I borrowed the DVD set from the in-laws. Hubby and I watched the last 4 back to back. So good.
Oh yes! Count me in! Part 1 was delicious!
@abby: yaaaaay! After I finished season 1 (what seems like oh so long ago...) I was devastated to find out that I'd have to wait until January 2012 for season 2. Blerg. At least now I know I'm waiting for something awesome!
Loved the series and can't wait for it to begin again. Watching club could be great fun.
Oh, no! I love British TV, so now I'm guessing I have another show I will be hooked on! Streaming Netflix will be the death of me!
@cakowalik - The reports of PBS cutting scenes were inaccurate. I originally watched on PBS and also have the full version on DVD and I couldn't find anything new. But of course I'm not suggesting that you don't watch again!
Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! I love this show so muuuuuuuuuuuuuch!
I am so there count me in!
I'm so lucky, being in the UK, I'm already into Season 2. All I can say guys is... it's amazing and worth waiting for.
Ahhhhh! Can't wait to see Season 2! Downton and AT? Yes please!
You can watch Season 1 at PBS website~ watching it right now! Im so excited for season 2!!!
Just finished watching the first episode of season 2 today....and its fabulous!!
Loved it. Now I know what I will be asking for for Christmas - Season One package in anticipation of Season 2 come January. Santa, I promise to be good as gold till Christmas.
Julian Fellowes's script is sooo good and the casting and costumes are what you would expect from British period drama. My husband and I love this how. And the theme music is wonderful. They are bringing out a CD which I can't wait to buy. A great post!
I watched episode 1 of season 2 last night and it's gonna be GRRRREAT!!!! Thanks for writing about it. I had no idea how much other people loved it.
I think it's really awesome that you guys are writing about Downton. I love the series and can't wait for the second season to start in the US. Definitely start the club! :-)
I found it rather dark and nasty, compared to USDS. There was a viciousness to the characters, and very little of the compassion there use to be in the Masterpiece Theatres of the past. I found few sympathetic characters, but many to dislike. It seemed to be the theme of the show. There certainly have been a boatload of shows over the years about the lord and his manor, dripping with lavish settings and period dress. There needs to be more than that, though, to really draw me in. Wickedness is not an end in itself.
Yay! Can't wait for it on Netflix! :)
Just added it to my Netflix Instant Queue! Thanks for the post!
I can't believe it's been so long since the first season came out. My mom, best friend and I talked about it constantly and were so disappointed when we found out we'd have to wait til January '12 to see more. ( I agree with cakowalik, the ending of season 1 drove me crazy). Now it's only a few months away!! A watching club's a great idea, too.
I am not a TV watcher, and I too gobbled it up in about 2 days on Netflix several months back.
LOVE DA!!! It's the next best thing to Pride & Prejudice! Got the DVD as soon as I finished watching it on PBS and can watch it over & over without getting sick of it! Maggie Smith is just deliciously funny! Her comments always crack me up! The youngest sister is so beautiful--I hope her character grows in the next season. Can't wait for Season 2!
Downton Abbey back to back episodes got me through the flu last year. excited to see more!
I absolutely love this programme. The incredible historic detail is stunning, both in the costumes, the house and the props, cars, horses, carriages etc. We have visited Highclere Castle and it is a stunning place, just right for this type of programme. The storyline is also magnificent, and is certainly going to get better now the second series has started. I think what it will show is the social history changes during that time. The war changed everything, and that class in the early 20th century started to change significantly including servants attitudes to what they could achieve, opportunities for women and the suffragettes, and men no matter which class fought side by side in battles. A masterpiece!
While waiting for the second season I'd recommend Manor House, Gosford Park (as another commenter did), and/or The Forsyte Saga.
i watched the first episode last night - and the meanness of the characters made it almost unwatchable. don't think i'll keep up with this one.
Never heard of this show. What channel is it on?
Thank you so much for posting this. Just started watching and am totally hooked!
I LOVE this series. I CANNOT wait for it to come back on air!! <3<3<3
Total Downton Abbey FREAK! Would love a watch club!!
Interesting to read how BBC programmes are viewed across the pond (I write from England). Anyone wanting a teensy weensy taster of series 2 of Downton can check out my alternative storyboard version of episode one - it's purely for fun, though it does contain some v mild spoilers for the first episode.
http://tinyurl.com/6z94huj
Just discovered this show last night and did EXACTLY that - stayed up half the night watching the entire first season on Netflix. It's is SO good! Yes to the watch club indeed!