Downton Abbey coming to MASTERPIECE Classic PBS

Downton Abbey- The Upstairs Crowd

The new year is bringing some excitement to PBS.  MASTERPIECE is celebrating it's 40th anniversary with the highly acclaimed Downton Abbey.  Starring the incredible Maggie Smith and Hugh Bonneville as some of the aristocrats in this late Edwardian-era peek into the drawing room and into the scullery.  If you can imagine a combination of Gosford Park and The Buccaneers, you'll be getting close to this little gem.  You get to see the aristocratic Crawley family up close and their servants even closer.  Watch the servants watching the family...voyeurism at it's best.

Almost a soap opera, but as visually appealing as...well a day at an English Country Manor, this is one that you may want to own after you watch it on television. (Downton Abbey DVD here)

Every Sunday evening in January, I will be glued to my TV as PBS is airing this in four 90-minute parts starting January 9 through January 30, 2011 at 9 o'clock ET (check local listings).  Here is a taste of what you can expect:

Downton Abbey Part 1 Preview

Downton Abbey- The Downstairs Crowd

All I can say is that you must watch this if Period Drama is even remotely your thing.  It is worth it just to hear Dame Maggie Smith say things like "What is a week-end?".  Bwaahahaha!  I love you Maggie Smith.

Link to PBS Downton Abbey site