Not only did I wake up this morning feeling blue that Series Two of blockbuster best of British tele in decades, Downton Abbey drew to a belated Christmas cracker of a close last night, I have to confess to spending large portions of the day (well, it is a bank holiday this side of the pond) reading all sorts of reviews and motley assessments of the epic upstairs, downstairs-style period costume drama's outrageous success here in the States.
There's really something very smug-making for a longtime Brit-abroad to be able to relish in the ramblings of incredulous reportings such as yesterday's New York Times Magazine's RIFF, questioning at great length why we're so intent in the masses of indulging in a bygone era that we're actually (supposedly) thankful is gone.
Let's not over analyze Downton Abbey to an early death, for I for one, would be perfectly happy to tune in every bleak mid-Winter for the next few years.
Undoubtedly, it is the strength and collective community of this prime cast of characters who have captured the hearts and imagination of millions upon millions of viewers, here in the U.S as we've agreeably gone along for the ride of an extraordinarily fast-paced, largely dining room, family plot - in impeccable setting.
Last night's season finale served up all of the juiciest prerequisites to keep us coming back - traditional Christmas dinner (downstairs and upstairs), a murder trial, mischief, intrigue, suspense, snowflakes, romance and the Edwardian era's race towards modernity.
The question is, if you didn't Downton, it's time to hit your Netflix Queue and get yourself caught up. There's plenty open-ended plotlines to ponder for Season Three, starting here in the States in January of 2013. In the meantime, my take on Downton Abbey's broad appeal is precisely that of its comfortable routine and sense of place. If someone were to ask which character you'd most identify with, I doubt it would be an issue today of whether it were someone specifically designated to an upstairs or downstairs lot. Our modern lives are so interwoven with running the bases and juggling a multitude of roles, the whole idea of the cards falling in one specific designation of post are, perhaps, not quite as appalling as one might otherwise assume.
Main theme emerging from all the pre-Season Three media chat is the much anticipated shake up in splenndid form in the arrival of one Shirley MacLaine at Downton as classic and inimitable U.S. grandmama.
Upstairs and Downstairs is also back this week, 1938 so two decades on from Downton. Bit meatier (BBC!) and set in central London, but v similar, enough to satisfy a Downton fan in its absence!
Posted by: Lindsey | Tuesday, February 21, 2026 at 09:20 AM
I believe that part of why everyone is so enthralled with DA has to do with how civil people are to each other, even when they're undermining them. Good manners prevailed and that's what distinguishes then from now.
Posted by: Beryn Hammil | Tuesday, February 21, 2026 at 09:37 AM
Meaning absolutely no disrespect, but for me the DEFINITIVE English Manor story was made by an American! Gosford Park is the end all and be all for me! :-)
Posted by: Frank Simpson | Tuesday, February 21, 2026 at 10:52 AM
absolutely, couldn't agree more!
Posted by: Frances | Tuesday, February 21, 2026 at 11:26 AM
And what's more, Clive Owen made Gosford one of my favorite flick's of all time, might have to put it back in my Netflix lineup for dispelling the post DA doldrums
Posted by: Frances | Tuesday, February 21, 2026 at 11:29 AM
Oh, good to hear, I did enjoy the first few episodes that aired last year, so will look forward to this
Posted by: Frances | Tuesday, February 21, 2026 at 11:31 AM
Whatdayamean put Gosford Park back in your Netflix queue???
YOU DON'T OWN A COPY??? SHAME ON YOU!!!!
Changing the subject slightly but staying true to Robert Altman (Gosford Park) you should watch Kansas City, produced and directed by Altman. The ultimate Godfather movie with Harry Bellafonte. Also captures quite nicely the corruption of the era and locale--some of which, I remember as a child. Every time I watch it I can almost smell the spitoons. By the bye, the soundtrack is a must own also.
Frank--Collector of books,DVD's CD's,records, anything by Robert Altman, and all things HARD COPY...
Posted by: Frank Simpson | Tuesday, February 21, 2026 at 01:11 PM
something about having three sons and all their accompanying clutter has deterred me from adding too many non essentials to the household stuff - except for books, plenty of those, in each and every room!
Posted by: Frances | Tuesday, February 21, 2026 at 01:24 PM
No coincidence that Gosford Park and Downton were
written by the same person!
Posted by: Lindsey | Friday, February 24, 2026 at 09:55 AM