New Historical Dramas

Nefret · Post by **Nefret** » Mon January 7th, 2013, 7:59 am

[quote=""DianeL""]Nefret, you live in the temple of Isis!

[/quote]

Yeah, she really needs to give us a good cable package.

Mythica · Post by **Mythica** » Tue January 8th, 2013, 11:18 am

Anyone watch "Mr. Selfridge" last night? It is VERY similar to "The Paradise". Apparently, the BBC rushed The Paradise out because they knew ITV were coming out with something so similar. I'm not sure which I prefer, might be too soon to tell. The Paradise is more fairly-tale-like, being based on a fictional store and fictional characters. It's also more focused on the love triangle with Denise, Moray, and Katherine. Actually, if you add Clara, it's a love square, I guess. But Mr. Selfridge is interesting because it's all based on real history and I feel like they have more scene settings (I feel like The Paradise only really has three main sets - the department store, Lovett's store, and Katherine's home) which makes it feel more real.

So far, I prefer the characters in The Paradise - Denise is a little boring and I don't understand why everyone thinks she's so brilliant. But Miss Audrey is hilarious and love all the other characterizations. But we'll have to wait and see how the characters in Mr. Selfridge develop.

Madeleine · Post by **Madeleine** » Tue January 8th, 2013, 12:49 pm

I started to watch The Paradise but it didn't do anything for me so I gave up. I've watched about 2/3rds of Mr Selfridge and so far it looks more promising - as Mythica says, I think it makes a difference that it's based on real people and a real place, which is, of course, still there, although the interior is quite different now! I still think the staircase is the same though, I haven't been there for about 5 years. I'll give it another go though.

princess garnet · Post by **princess garnet** » Tue January 8th, 2013, 10:28 pm

Found out from the "Masterpiece" website that "Mr. Selfridge" will air in the US on March 31st and is in 8 parts. A preview video is up.

DianeL · Post by **DianeL** » Wed January 9th, 2013, 12:21 am

Nefret: hee!

Madeleine · Post by **Madeleine** » Wed January 9th, 2013, 9:48 am

Apparently they've already commissioned a second series of Mr Selfridge.

Vanessa · Post by **Vanessa** » Wed January 9th, 2013, 10:25 am

I haven't watchecd Mr Selfridge yet - I've recorded it. I really liked The Paradise but it is a very gentle drama. I think it helps that I quite like the leading man. LOL.

J.D. Oswald · Post by **J.D. Oswald** » Sat January 12th, 2013, 3:51 pm

Dramatisation of Ken Follet's World Without End on Channel 4 tonight - thought I might give it a go.

Madeleine · Post by **Madeleine** » Sun January 13th, 2013, 1:28 pm

I watched WWE and quite enjoyed it in a guilty pleasure sort of way. Cynthia Nixon, oh my! It was on for 2 hours (loads of ad breaks) but didn't seem to drag.

DianeL · Post by **DianeL** » Sun January 13th, 2013, 10:24 pm

I've added World Without End to my Netflix queue.

Also watched my first episode of "The Great Queen Seondeok" - a Korean royal historical. Though the production design allows for a fair amount of obvious polyester and vinyl, and it might be slightly arch/melodramatic for some, it's a very interesting view into modern Korea as well as its history, and the first ep was very enjoyable. Lots of drama, not hard to keep up with, just a bit of a sense of magic, and some nice performances as well. Plus a simply marvelous villain, and those can sometimes elevate any production they crop up in. She's delicious.

Taking in a bit more of Cumberbatch's Sherlock right now, re-watching "Scandal in Belgravia" because I wanted to get more out of it and it was very good the first time.

Later tonight, I'll probably switch to network TV and take in some great vintage sitcoms. Sunday nights are "Barney Miller" and a nice fat whack of "WKRP". I enjoy those very much.

Historical Fiction Online

New Historical Dramas

Mr. Selfridge date in US