Downton Abbey kicks off Masterpiece Theatre’s 40th anniversary celebration with airings on four consecutive Sundays. The drama aired in seven parts on ITV, but apparently, PBS decided to combine them for American audiences!
Sunday, January 9, 2010, 9:00-10:30 p.m. ET
EPISODE ONE: Created by Oscar-winning writer Julian Fellowes (Gosford Park), “Downton Abbey” depicts the lives of the noble Crawley family and the staff who serve them, set at their Edwardian country house in 1912. Featuring an all-star cast, including Hugh Bonneville (MASTERPIECE CLASSIC “Miss Austen Regrets”), Dame Maggie Smith (Harry Potter) and Elizabeth McGovern. Laura Linney hosts.
Sunday, January 16, 2010, 9:00-10:30 p.m. ET
EPISODE TWO: Mary entertains three suitors, including a Turkish diplomat whose boldness leads to a surprising event. Downstairs, the shocking former life of Carson, the butler, is unmasked and Bates risks his health to remain valet.
Sunday, January 23, 2010, 9:00-10:30 p.m. ET
EPISODE THREE: Growing into his role as heir, Matthew brings out the bitter rivalry between sisters Mary and Edith. Servants Thomas and O’Brien scheme against Bates, while head housemaid Anna is increasingly attracted to him. Lady Violet’s winning streak in the flower show is threatened.
Sunday, January 30, 2010, 9:00-10:30 p.m. ET
EPISODE FOUR: The heir crisis at Downton Abbey takes an unexpected turn. Meanwhile, rumors fly about Mary’s virtue. Her sister Sybil takes a risk in her secret political life. Anna unearths Bates’ mysterious past and O’Brien and Thomas plot their exit strategy.
Stay tuned for reviews of the episodes and a bit of historical background when the drama airs January 2011!
I’m not sure I can wait Evangeline. I may just have to order the DVD from Amazon.co.uk (I have a region free DVD player!).
Lol! The Region 1 DVD is to be released January 11th, but the Region 2 version does come in a Blue-Ray version and their regular DVD comes in a nice box!
I have to wonder how PBS will successfully edit 7 episodes into 4? Seemed to me that each of the 7 UK episodes concluded at an appropriate moment and I don’t know enough about editing to figure out how they’ll splice up it differently?!
Don’t worry! The editing is very good! I actually find the four episodes just a tad bit better than the full seven episodes.
Can you tell me when the next installments will air for Downton Abbey. I’ve heard the cast is in production–so any more planned to air this year?
Most likely this fall if you live in the UK, and next January if you live in the US and Canada!