Downton Abbey is a British period drama on PBS depicting the lives and dramas of the wealthy and noble Crawley family and their servants. The fictional television series also touches on events in the early 20th century and how they affected the British aristocracy and its hierarchy.
The Crawleys reside in Downton Abbey, their enormous and beautiful Yorkshire country house, where the lives of the servants downstairs are as complex and dramatic as the Crawleys' lives. Highclere Castle was used, in film production, as Downton Abbey and it beautifully portrays the enormity of the fictional estate.
The series focuses on both the powerful family and the servants in equal measure. Conditions downstairs can be treacherous. It is a dog eat dog world for servants where hierarchy is everything. Betrayal, romance, alliances and drama abound downstairs, in the secrecy and discreteness of the servant role. The plot lines of the servants' lives are every bit as intriguing as those of the aristocratic family they serve.
Robert Crawley is the Earl of Grantham (Lord Grantham) and the head of the Crawley family. He is married to Cora Crawley (Lady Grantham), an American heiress. Together, they have three daughters: Lady Mary Crawley, Lady Edith Crawley and Lady Sybil Crawley. The three girls are very different from and each has a complicated romantic life that transforms throughout the seasons. The family has a number of other members and close relations, including Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess of Grantham and Lord Grantham’s mother. The wonderful Maggie Smith brings this character to life with sharp wit and tongue and provides comedic relief. The family and its reputation endures through scandal, tragedy and the trials of the times, but not without scars.
Downton Abbey is currently in its fourth season and a fifth season is confirmed for 2015. It was originally aired in the United Kingdom and Ireland on ITV in September 2010 and later aired in January 2011 in the United States on PBS as part of the Masterpiece Classicanthology. It is widely popular and has received critical acclaim. The show has also scored numerous major awards and nominations, including a Golden Globe for Best Miniseries or Television Film, a primetime Emmy for Outstanding Miniseries or Movie and the most nominations in the history of the primetime Emmy awards of any international television series (twenty-seven nominations in total). Downton Abbey is also the most watched television series on both ITV and PBS, and thus became the most successful British costume drama series since 1981. By its third season, Downton Abbey was one of the most widely watched television drama shows in the world.
I love Downton Abbey and recommend it to anyone. Three generations are represented in depth, making it relatable for all ages. This show is the perfect candidate for a surprisingly addictive series for college students. I am not necessarily the biggest fan of British dramas, but I am absolutely hooked on this show. There is drama, intrigue, suspense, romance, violence and everything else a gripping drama requires. The characters are rich and the story is intriguing and involved. Each episode (except premieres and finales) is an hour long with no commercials The plot lines are entertaining and provide a view of very different, yet intertwined, lifestyles. Even if you do not typically watch this type of show, I encourage you to give it a try (preferably from the beginning). Tune in Sundays at 8 p.m. central time to find out for yourself what all of the buzz is about!
