Downton Abbey - Series 1

Viewer Rating:Sarah has rated Downton Abbey - Series 1 rating: 5 Star

Where to begin! Well the BBC usually have the monopoly on period dramas and they do it well, but ITV are really giving them run for their money with this superb drama.
From the off, Downton Abbey was compared to Upstairs Downstairs (which was brought back by the beeb this year too), but the series has really made a name for its self and can definitely stand alone as a period drama.
On one side you have the Staff of the Great House of Grantham Estate. On the other you have the the Lord and Lady Grantham and their 3 daughters. The series opens with the sinking of the Titanic making the newspaper headlines, and down with the ship went the next in line to the Grantham estate. A slight panic ensues, as the estate cannot pass to Lord Grantham's daughters, none of which are married. The closest male heir is a distant cousin, and so the story explores the complicated and fractious relationship between the Grantham family and the man who will inherit their home.
Even more drama unfolds in the servants quarters with the arrival of the new valet, and he has his secrets too.
A very compelling series, with a great cast (Maggie Smith as the interfering mother-in-law, Brendan Coyle as the intriguing Mr Bates, and a few familiar faces from corrie and the like) and an excellent script.
With some period dramas, you can sometimes feel they are trying too hard to make you think you are back in 1912, but the director and producers get it just right with Downton Abbey. I would highly recommend getting the box set, because then you dont have to wait an entire week for the next episode!

Review published on the 21 January 2011 20:45