I was intrigued today to see an article in the Daily Telegraph about a new follow-up series to 1970s hit Upstairs, Downstairs being made, with Jean Marsh returning as Rose, now a housekeeper, and Dame Eileen Atkins also expected to star.
The original series was made by ITV but this will now be made by the BBC – Heidi Thomas, who did the screenplay for Cranford, is writing the script. ITV has a drama on a similar theme in production, Downton Abbey. It seems as if you wait ages for a series about the family and servants in a great house, then two come along at once!;)
I’ve only seen bits and pieces of the original series of Upstairs Downstairs, so will have to try to catch up with some of it before the new one starts! Anyway, good to see the BBC making another costume drama – this one will begin around 1930.
Any new good costume drama will be welcome, of course! Both seem quite interesting. Looking forward to seeing them!
Thanks, Maria – I’m looking forward to them both too.
I’m not sure how I feel about this. It might be interesting if the series started where the original left off.
Thanks for visiting and commenting, Elizabeth. It sounds from the article in the Telegraph as if they are going to start roughly where the original left off – though I would think there will have to be some kind of gap as most of the characters will be new, or I assume they will be anyway…
Hi Judy!
I just found out about Upstairs, Downstairs too! I’ve been wanting to watch some of the original series – hopefully my library will have it. I’m eager for Downtown Abbey as well – I’m pleased to see Heidi Thomas and Julian Fellowes slated to write the screenplays!
I’m pleased about the screenwriters too, Charley.:) I’m wondering if some of the original series will be repeated on TV in the UK – maybe the BBC will buy some old episodes up from ITV as a lead-in to their new series? If not, then I’ll have to investigate the librariy too, or maybe buy a box set… ITV’s website used to have some episodes available to watch online in the UK, but seems to have removed them, sadly!
Did you really not see the original series when it played? Many episodes were superb, and the last year taking place during WW1 a masterpiece season.
We’re home again, tired but have had a good time,
Ellen
No, I didn’t see it back in the 1970s – I would have been about 11 when it started. I was at boarding school then and we only saw a few programmes, and must admit I don’t remember being aware of the show at all. I have seen occasional repeats, but I believe it has mainly been repeated only in the London ITV area until the last few years with multi-channel TV. You make it sound well worth watching!