Downton Abbey--Upstairs/Downstairs, Stiff Upper Lips, and Tea!

[star_gazer11]

Upstairs Downstairs Abbey Part 1

Upstairs Downstairs Abbey Part 2

Thanks for posting. Undermaid, Overmaid, Mermaid

[pollyanna]

Are you guys also getting, or going to get the new series of Upstairs Downstairs? They made a 3 part special for the BBC at christmas set in 1936 - different family but Jean Marsh as Rose returns. Loved it. Rumours are that this is to be commisioned for further development this year also.

Bumping this, because Upstairs Downstairs is scheduled to begin this Sunday April 10 (in my area, at least).

Join former maid Rose Buck (Jean Marsh) as the doors to 165 Eaton Place swing open to new masters and servants, when Upstairs Downstairs debuts this Sunday, April 10, 2011, on MASTERPIECE Classic. Ed Stoppard, Keeley Hawes, and original series co-creators Jean Marsh and Eileen Atkins star in this reprisal written by Heidi Thomas (Cranford).

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/...irs/index.html

[millipied]

Bumping this, because Upstairs Downstairs is scheduled to begin this Sunday April 10 (in my area, at least).



http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/...irs/index.html

U,D is more engaging IMO.

[cygnus]

Well, I enjoyed that, even though it takes some time getting used to the new characters. I wish there were more than 3 episodes- 1936 is such an interesting year, and there's a lot of history to cover.

I love the mother-in-law (and her secretary). And I was totally not expecting the surprise guest of Mrs Simpson.

[pollyanna]

I liked it too, and look forward to more episodes. It was a bit jarring to see coach Sasha Beloff (sp?) as the chauffeur, but eye candy is always welcome. Eileen Atkins is always brilliant and what a treat to see Jean Marsh again.

And yes I am easy - I laughed when poor young Johnny spilled the tray on Mrs. Simpson's escort von Ribbentrop. Brilliant scheme to get rid of him.

I believe another 6 episodes have been ordered for next year?

[Icetalavista]

Also good to see Art Malik again. He looks good in a beard & turban. Way, way, way back I saw him for the first time in "Jewel in the Crown" and he was

The preview of the upcoming episode showing the problem younger sister trotting off to play with the Nazis is very Mitford (am I getting that right)-sisters-like.

I wonder if the Welsh footman is gone for good, or might come back in a revenge plot.

[Wyliefan]

U,D is more engaging IMO.

I think so too, although I've shocked one or two of my period-drama-loving friends by saying so. They're both soapy -- Ivy's storyline in particular has been just plain nuts so far -- but Downton took its soapiness far too seriously and tried to treat it like high drama. Upstairs is just having a good time, and I like that. It's refreshing.

And though I'll always love Claire Foy best as Little Dorrit, she's doing a terrific job as the spoiled-brat little sister.

I agree about Mrs. Simpson's guest -- that was a neat (and significant) little twist. And I love the way they took care of it.

I do miss Maggie Smith, though. Eileen Atkins is doing great, but NOBODY can compare to Maggie.

[skatesindreams]

Here's the show's webpage:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/...irs/index.html

I liked it very much!
It's a pleasure to see Eileen Atkins and Jean Marsh, such wonderful actors - without whom there would have been no UD to begin with.
Those of us who became fascinated with "all things British" because of the series are in their debt.

A pity that there are only 3 episodes!

[Artemis@BC]

It took a while to get going, but once it did I enjoyed it very much.

It was bugging me where I'd seen "Ivy" (Ellie Kendrick) before, then about half-way through it hit me: she was Anne Frank in that production from about a year ago.

The only casting I objected to was Keeley Hawes -- who always looks like she's trying too hard when she does upper class and/or period pieces. She wasn't terrible, but she wasn't a great fit either.

And then there's the small matter of the fact that Rose left Eaton Place a mere 6 years previous ... but seems to have aged at least 30 years. Must have gone through a lot in that time!

But no matter, I'm still enjoying it.

[emason]

I think so too, although I've shocked one or two of my period-drama-loving friends by saying so. They're both soapy -- Ivy's storyline in particular has been just plain nuts so far -- but Downton took its soapiness far too seriously and tried to treat it like high drama. Upstairs is just having a good time, and I like that. It's refreshing.

Downton Abbey = mutton dressed as lamb.

[floskate]

It took a while to get going, but once it did I enjoyed it very much.

It was bugging me where I'd seen "Ivy" (Ellie Kendrick) before, then about half-way through it hit me: she was Anne Frank in that production from about a year ago.

The only casting I objected to was Keeley Hawes -- who always looks like she's trying too hard when she does upper class and/or period pieces. She wasn't terrible, but she wasn't a great fit either.

And then there's the small matter of the fact that Rose left Eaton Place a mere 6 years previous ... but seems to have aged at least 30 years. Must have gone through a lot in that time!

But no matter, I'm still enjoying it.

Domestic service was awfully tough going back then ya know . Most fans over here didn't take too kindly to Hawes on the first episode and given that they only had 3 eps to define the characters, hers is the one that comes across as a bit one dimensional but she does get more interesting. A LOT happens in the next two episodes, almost too much but that's the way they had to do it i guess. That said, Hawes was interviewed on UKTV last week and said pretty much the same and that the new series would be a little more drawn out with more time for character development.

I particularly loved Anne Reid, a very well respected character actress over here, who plays the cook. She got it absolutely bang on rather than try and emulate Angela Baddeley's wonderful Mrs Bridges. But what's so great is that Eileen Atkins finally got the chance to actually be in the programme she co-created. At the time of the original she was appearing in the West End and had back to back contracts for plays I believe, and of course they had no idea what a success it would become.

There has been lots of debate from pundits here over whether there is room for Downton and UpDown but I think the incredible success of both series shows that we Brits have not lost our curiosity for, nor our hang ups with the class system!!

[BigB08822]

So I am a little confused. Upstairs/Downstairs is just a spoof spin off of Downton Abbey but it isn't a one time thing and they are continuing with more episodes? When does Downton Abbey begin again, aren't they doing another season?

[Wyliefan]

No, it's not related to Downton at all. It's a sequel of sorts to the old Upstairs Downstairs series.

[BigB08822]

No, it's not related to Downton at all. It's a sequel of sorts to the old Upstairs Downstairs series.

Oh gosh, I am confused, haha

[skatesindreams]

Thanks for all the additional insights, floskate,

What's so great is that Eileen Atkins finally got the chance to actually be in the programme she co-created

Amen!

[pollyanna]

I ADORE Eileen Atkins.

[skatingfan5]

And then there's the small matter of the fact that Rose left Eaton Place a mere 6 years previous ... but seems to have aged at least 30 years. Must have gone through a lot in that time!

Domestic service was awfully tough going back then ya know .

I was going to say that being without a pension (except her "hallmarked teapot"), must have made for a bit of rough-going for Rose. It was good to see her again -- her character was always such a strong one on the original series.

I particularly loved Anne Reid, a very well respected character actress over here, who plays the cook. She got it absolutely bang on rather than try and emulate Angela Baddeley's wonderful Mrs Bridges. But what's so great is that Eileen Atkins finally got the chance to actually be in the programme she co-created.

Great to see Eileen Atkins have a part in this sequel. And there definitely could never be another "Mrs. Bridges" or "Mr. Hudson" -- very wise to let the new cook and butler have their own very different characters.

There has been lots of debate from pundits here over whether there is room for Downton and UpDown but I think the incredible success of both series shows that we Brits have not lost our curiosity for, nor our hang ups with the class system!!

It's not just you Brits who have a craving for this sort of stuff, although without the class system hang-ups.

[Wyliefan]

The name-dropping butler is growing on me, which is odd, because usually name-droppers annoy me. Must be because he's dropping really cool names, like Errol Flynn.

[Latte]

Loved it!
I think I was born in the wrong time, I should have been born in the Gay Ninety's.
That's the 1890's.

[mrr50]

If I remember correctly, James lost Rose's money along with his own and that's why he committed suicide. The son of the household doesn't lose the servants money, it just isn't done. Richard didn't have much money left after the market crash either.