Thank you, Terriks! I've seen it advertised but have not seen the show. I'll be watching (or DVRing) for sure!

Love, love, love it! I knew Season 2 was premiering soon, thanks for the heads up.

I wasn't able to watch the first season despite wanting to. Will it be easy enough to pick up on the second season without having seen the first?

I'll admit to having been hooked on BBC America's "Mistresses" when the last season aired. I'm excited to see that it too is starting up again. It's a bit trashy, but thoroughly watchable.

Here is a link that might be useful: Mistresses

Can't wait for the new season of Downton Abbey. TV is such a wasteland anymore and I just enjoyed this show so much.

I haven't seen Downton Abbey but now I want to. My new fave is (also BBC's shown on PBS) Sherlock- it's so good!

I can hardly wait!

There is a brief recap of the first series. I have linked it below. Caution - it contains spoilers if you would rather see the whole series!

You can also purchase DVDs of Series 1 for about $14 from Amazon.

Here is a link that might be useful: Recap Downton Abbey Series 1

Kimberly: Check your TV guide or website for your PBS stations' schedules, because it's likely you'll see reruns today (Sunday) of the first season's episodes of "Downton Abbey" being broadcast before the second season premieres.

My local PBS station (or at least one of the 3 that are in the area) is starting at 3 p.m. with Season 1 (here, Season 2 starts at 9, but that probably varies across the country).

(And wow--I see my PBS station also has on the upcoming schedule Northanger Abbey, Persuasion, Sense & Sensibility -- tho my heart belongs to the Sense & Sensibility with Alan Rickman as Col. Brandon ...)

First season is available free online until 1/17

Here is a link that might be useful: Downton Abbey season 1

No spoilers here..............I was in Ireland in October and watched 2 episodes - the twists and turns continue apace! Very entertaining and now I can't wait to find out how some of these conundrums are resolved.

-Apparently a Season 3 is in the works- according to my local paper.

I have the BBC's England DVD set, apparently it has a few more scenes than what was shown on BBC America, and I hate to admit this, but it bored me to death! I've watched a few hours of it then just gave up.

But last night I did watch the last episode (I think) on PBS, and it was pretty good, even though I don't know what happened between the sisters.

So I'm going to give it another chance. I did read that Season 2 kind of jumps the shark though and isn't as good as Season 1. But if you think like my dh does, the more a movie gets bad ratings, it means it's a great movie. lol

Can't wait for the second season! I got hooked last year and was disappointed when they began showing the first episodes all over again this year - I wanted to see new material, so I'll be tuned in tonight, for sure.

THANK YOU! for posting this thread --

I read a review of the series yesterday and it sounded right up my alley -- So I went to my DVD recorder and searched for it -- Nothing! Knowing it was under 'Masterpiece' and not 'Downton' was the key to finding it.

I can't wait!

I've been waiting impatiently for Season 2! Can't wait! I've reserved the upstairs family room for myself tonight. And a Season 3? Swoon...

thanks for the heads up, I set my recorder for a few previous episodes and the series premier last night !!!

Thanks for the link to watch the previous episodes. I can catch up before starting this year.

I am embarrassed to admit it didn't occur to me to set the DVR until reading mitchesj's post. Oye, I can be stupid. I will do that now so that I can watch season 2 at my convenience.

That looks like something we would like a lot! But I have to have a hard copy cd, got to have subtitles with anything British ( and almost all American stuff too) -we're firmly hooked on subtitles now.

Wasn't it wonderful?? Oh I love that show. I don't want to post any spoilers for those who are catching up, but wow.

As mentioned above, Season 1 is available for streaming at pbs.org, at least for a little while longer. It is also available streaming on Netflix.

As an aside, why is it that all the shows we like in our household are on Sunday night? I can only Tivo two at one time, and Downton unfortunately didn't make the cut. I'll have to see if I can find another time that it is shown.

On my PBS they're repeating it at 3 am on another day so I was able to record that one (along with the normal Sunday time for the future episodes). Maybe you'll find it at some crazy time like that.

GREAT SHOW!

It sounded like something I'd like, but WOW! Even better! Intrigue, romance, shelter porn. WOW ;-)

oakleyok wrote "I have the BBC's England DVD set, apparently it has a few more scenes than what was shown on BBC America".

I hate it that they do that! It's not like PBS airs commercials, so they shouldn't be hindered by time slots. I want to know what I'm missing!

Glad to see other fans here!

I read that the British version covered a lot more ground about the inheritance laws, which they figured would be boring and/or incomprehensible to Americans.

Sorry to resurrect an old thread, but I just wanted to say that your posts caused me to begin to watch Downton Abbey and I'm hooked. I loved the first two seasons and the Christmas special and now await season three with great anticipation. I can't wait to see Shirley Maclaine added the mix.