Downton Abbey

Vanessa · Post by **Vanessa** » Mon January 17th, 2011, 10:13 pm

The original series was from the 70s. It's the same house in the new series but no Bellamys.

Ash · Post by **Ash** » Tue January 18th, 2011, 2:26 am

Yeah, I wasn't sure about that - I was trying to remember where I watched them; Im sure I wasn't in the dorms, so I thought it was after college. Ah well, its been forever. I need to see it again.

And last nights Dowton Abbey was wonderful! Curious what Tom's relationship with O'Brien might be - they seem as thick as theives. Think he had anything to do with the death?

sweetpotatoboy · Post by **sweetpotatoboy** » Tue January 18th, 2011, 2:17 pm

Although Downton Abbey was on here quite a few months ago, I recorded but didn't start watching till a couple of weeks ago (and am half an episode off the end).
However, I watched the Upstairs Downstairs remake when it was over the holidays.
So I've watched these two shows in the opposite order to most UK viewers.

I can undersand why all the reviewers compare these two shows. They are both set in upper-class households and explore relationships between the owners of the house and the domestic staff etc. But it does seem a bit unfair. It's hardly as if they are the first UK costume dramas with similar setups. Just a coincidence they've both come out so close to one another.

I really liked Upstairs Downstairs. It crammed a lot into its three episodes but it didn't feel rushed, just dramatic.
By comparison, when I first started watching Downton Abbey, I felt it was a lot slower, a lot gentler. But that soon changed: obviously it's a longer series (7 episodes) and they could take their time more with getting to know a wider range of characters and I was soon hooked.

Upstairs Downstairs was good and I hope it returns, but Downton has more memorable characters.

There were some uncanny parallels in the storylines, though. Most notably, in both, we had a politically interested chauffeur whom a young woman of the family became close to and got to take her to controversial political meetings.

SCW · Post by **SCW** » Thu May 12th, 2011, 8:54 am

Channel 7 in Australia keep on showing trailers saying 'Downton Abbey coming soon'. But no official word on when it will be shown in Australia.

ejays17 · Post by **ejays17** » Thu May 12th, 2011, 9:02 am

I read in the Green Guide (the Age's TV Guide)today that it's supposed to be starting on 29 May. Just have to hope that Channel 7 will stick with it for the whole series - I'm very much looking forward to seeing it!

SCW · Post by **SCW** » Thu May 12th, 2011, 11:42 am

Thanks for letting me know. I wish the ABC had it, no ads. But at least its coming on soon.

ejays17 · Post by **ejays17** » Fri May 13th, 2011, 8:52 am

I was really surprised - and a bit disappointed - to find out it was on Ch7 rather than the ABC. Its a natural fit for the ABC Sunday night, I would have thought.

SCW · Post by **SCW** » Sat May 14th, 2011, 6:01 am

I agree. Costume Dramas belong on the ABC. Or SBS.

Divia · Post by **Divia** » Sat May 14th, 2011, 3:38 pm

I'm waiting for the DVD from blockbuster, but its on order and who knows when it will come to me. I wanted to watch it on TV but I forget when it was on.

ejays17 · Post by **ejays17** » Tue May 24th, 2011, 12:05 pm

SCW, I've seen a couple of ads this week that says it's starting on Sunday at 8.30pm