After. I guess series 2 will begin in mid October and run until early December.

After. I guess series 2 will begin in mid October and run until early December.

It would make more sense to me to have a Christmas special which includes the 1914 truce and, possibly, the football matches (which may be a myth) with a new series to follow. I'm still worried that a second series in autumn this year will be a bit rushed and not as good as the first series.

It wouldn't make sense in terms of the ratings. It needs the X Factor lead-in if it's going to attract the same viewing figures as series one, and it needs those figures to draw in the ad revenue because it costs ITV a hell of a lot of money.

Just got round to watching the show. With the high ratings, the critical acclaim and my love for a good period drama, i just had to see it.

 

I really like it. For me, it doesn't seem the type of show ITV would normally do. Seems very expensive.

Series 2 (set in WWI) begins in September. It will run for eight weeks and there will also be a two hour Christmas special.

Brilliant i can't wait

 

I am happy at American recognising it at the Emmys.

I am SO EXCITED for this to return, I might dig out the DVD and rewatch it all in anticipation http://www.moopy.org.uk/forums/images/icons/disco.gif

 

http://www.moopy.org.uk/forums/images/icons/disco.gif

 

http://www.moopy.org.uk/forums/images/icons/disco.gif

 

Although neither is as good as : BRING WINE, BRING CHEESE, BRING ANYTHING!

I love this series ... and its class 'A' cast ... and its production values ... BUT ...for pure realism as to the norms of the day - give me Upstairs Downstairs any day of the week. Julian Fellowes is a bit of prat as a screen writer he is just totally and utterly WRONG.

 

He really should have consulted Jean Marsh before he put pen to paper on this total work of fiction.

 

Kath

It's not really MEANT to be realistic is it?

I don't really understand your point Norma?

 

Upstairs Downstairs was awful. It didn't capture the period vibe as well as Downton at all. Everything looked too clean and shiny. That wasn't the worst of its problems though - it was incredibly pretentious, the storyline was boring, it was cheesy as anything, Keeley Hawes was on awful form, I could go on.

I'm not sure whether Kath is referring to the BBC version of Upstairs Downstairs (which I haven't seen) or the ITV original. I suspect she meant the latter.

Oh quite possibly. I hadn't considered that actually.

 

I don't think there would be any need to consult Jean Marsh of all people though. It's not like she's the only expert on the era out there. I've never known a period drama to be entirely historically accurate and who really cares anyway? It's not like they had spaceships taking off from the helicopter pad on the roof of Downton.

I'm not sure whether Kath is referring to the BBC version of Upstairs Downstairs (which I haven't seen) or the ITV original. I suspect she meant the latter.

 

I meant the original 1970's Upstairs Downstairs - with Gordon Jackson, Angela Baddely, Simon Williams, Lesley Ann Down, etc. The script to that was 100% accurate. No way, on god's green earth would the upstairs and downstairs be able to mix in the way they do on Downtown Abbey. Don't get me wrong - for pure sexiness (Brendan Coyle - woooooooo) Downton Abbey cannot be beat - but watchers of it shouldn't believe that it is true at all - no even one percent! Go for a day trip to Warwick Castle (tour of the Edwardian house) and you'll see that it is total bullshit! Julian Fellows is just a bit of a twat!

 

Edit - and it wasn't BBC - it was Carlton Television (ITV)

 

Kath

Edited July 30, 201113 yr by Kathyp

Oh quite possibly. I hadn't considered that actually.

 

I don't think there would be any need to consult Jean Marsh of all people though. It's not like she's the only expert on the era out there. I've never known a period drama to be entirely historically accurate and who really cares anyway? It's not like they had spaceships taking off from the helicopter pad on the roof of Downton.

 

If you want to see a position of people 'downstairs' then Jean Marsh would be THE person to consult. Julian Fellows can only see this sort of thing from the romanticised 'privileged' position of those definitley upstairs. He sees things through rose tinted glasses - and why not - he's from the upper echelons. Life downstairs was not nearly as rosey as he'd paint it to be. Sexy - yes - realistic - no! But then again - today's audiences don't want to see realism.

 

Kath

Well the great thing about television drama is that it's the ultimate form of escapism. If people wanted realism they'd watch a documentary. I see what you're saying but as a high class soap opera you really cannot get much better than Downton and that's why I love it. Plus it's exceptionally witty.

Love this! I'm going to have to find my Series 1 DVD and rewatch it before this comes on again. Amazing piece of television.

Well the great thing about television drama is that it's the ultimate form of escapism. If people wanted realism they'd watch a documentary. I see what you're saying but as a high class soap opera you really cannot get much better than Downton and that's why I love it. Plus it's exceptionally witty.

 

I agree with you on the entertainment value - it is a high-class soap opera with an exceptional cast. I do wish though that Fellowes would stress that it is pure fiction and not seem to give the impression that it is any way based in fact.

 

I mean - I'll be watching the next series as eagerly as everyone else - especially for Brendan Coyle and Maggie Smith.

 

Kath

Maggie smith is brilliant. I haven't seen many things with her but i know she is without a doubt one of our own top actresses. Harry potter doesn't show her acting skills but she is top dog in this. I hope she wins the emmy she is nominated for.