I'm watching it and wishing it would never end. It's every bit as good as "Upstairs, Downstairs" that aired many years ago. Don't you just love Maggie Smith?

I do think Maggie Smith is wonderful in anything she does. This is a delightful series, but I hope we see more than a mere 4 episodes! I had no idea this series was so few in its installments.

I remember the woman who plays the mother in something years ago. She had such striking coloring--black hair, ivory skin and striking blue eyes. I was surprised she has done the same thing as I have over the years--gotten older!

Elizabeth McGovern plays the Cora the Mother.

I've wanted to see this - I heard about it not long ago. I can watch it online at www.icefilms.info. Going to check it out there later.

Sheilajoyce - We lucked out. The series has been so successful in England that ITV announced in October that they will start filming another 8 episodes this March with an air date of fall 2011 and then a Christmas special after that. I don't know when we'll get to see the second set because there's always a significant lag before broadcasting here in the States.

When first aired in England it was spread out over 7 episodes with so many commercials that the viewers complained that it broke up the flow of the narrative. How wonderful that PBS airs it without any commercials here. We still see the full series but in fewer air dates. The last episode is this Sunday Jan 30.

It's the most expensive production on British television costing over 1 million pounds per hour. It is such a handsome production and fascinating to watch the interplay between the characters. It's available online at PBS.org if anyone wants to watch.

I love the British productions....the actors, scenery and the productions are absolutely awesome. I have been watching this series also...I never miss Masterpiece Theater.....I have Netflix and I am able to rent all the British productions. Masterpiece Theater is where I found Colin Furth...I have been following his career for years....Elizabeth McGovern is from the USA but lives and loves England.

I've been watching & love it. Masterpiece has such wonderful productions. Sometimes I re-watch them on the computer soon after the tv show has aired. And I like to visit the website which has additional info or something I might have missed on tv. Quality TV!

I am taping it ~~ and then will have a *marathon* viewing when all episodes have been taped ~~ can hardly wait!

Yes, I have been watching it I love it. Only one more episode DARN!! Why do they tease us so~~~~I love everything I watch on Masterpiece. I think I need to get NetFlix I always say it but never do it:(

I like Downton Abbey also.
Another good one that has been/is on PBS is Lark Rise To Candleford. It is also available on Netflix...really good.

I'm taping it too. I guess I should say that I'm DVRing it.

It's going onto our DVR at home while we are on Maui.

Re: Lark Rise. I really enjoyed READING that one. Also loved reading "Down the Common" and "Cider with Rosie" -- both about English village life. It seems to me there are a lot of books in the last few years that focus on 'the time between the wars' in England. Certainly *everything changed* after WWI and continued after WWII.

I'm watching and really loving it, truly it is quality tv. I am sad there is only one more episode.Good to learn they are filming more.

I love the man with the bad leg

Brendan Coyle is the actor who plays John Bates, the butler with the limp. He also plays the role of Robert Timmins in Lark Rise. I just hope when they start filming again that all the actors will still be available - even Thomas the thieving servant - he plays his role well.

I loved Lark Rise to Candleford. Highly recommend it.

I'm bummed to learn there is only one more episode!! How will things be "wrapped up"? Or won't they? Maybe we'll have to wait till the next series is shown; that will be way too long for me! :>(

I like John Bates too. He's the smartest one there among the servants. Of course Maggie Smith is terrific. Can you imagine dressing like that every night for dinner??? And they have so much help, someone to do every little thing, even stand around.

I am watching it in Toronto as well. Plays on Sunday nights at 9:00 and repeats at 11:00 the following Saturday. Great news that they are going to make further episodes.

While I'm thoroughly enjoying the entire production I must admit that I am just enthralled with the stunning gowns they don for dinner. I'm glad I don't have to wear a corset like they did but those dresses are simply stunning - and the beautiful necklaces too.

"someone to do every little thing, even stand around"

Now *that's* impressive!

I'm loving the verbal sparring between Maggie Smith (Dowager) and Matthew's mother (Isobel?). Really good!

I'm trying to knit while I watch, but this is a program which really deserves watching, unlike most. The house, the clothing, etc.

I loved Maggie Smith's line in response to the 3rd cousin saying he could manage a job and work on the estate too as he would have the weekend as well. Maggie inquires, "What is a week end?" Says a lot about how the upper class lived and were expected to live.

I've watched it on tv & then watch again online. There is just so much to take in..... once is not enough. LOL I am going to go back to the website & get some of the behind the scenes scoop also. Love this show!

I am in LOVE with this series! I wish it would never end! It is a lot like a modern version of upstairs/downstairs--period pieces are my favorite too, just like many of you...and I own the Lark Rise to Candleford--please post suggestions! I'm always looking for more books/shows...

You can watch Larkrise to Candleford on UTube.

Another very good Masterpiece Classic series is Cranford, which stars Judy Dench and many other familiar British actors. It takes place in a small village in the 19th Century.

At least we can look forward to future episodes of Downton Abby but for fans of Lark Rise it was officially announced on Jan. 22, 2011 that the BBC will not film a 5th series. And the 4th series which just finished airing in the UK is only 6 episodes rather than the 12 episodes of series 1 through 3.

Another quality program that has ended too soon. The BBC claims they want to quit while they're ahead and end on a high note. Well at least they could have filmed the full 12!

DH and I got home from Maui and enjoyed the "Downton Manor" series he'd recorded at home. Also thoroughly enjoyed the following Masterpiece Theater presentation on Chicago PBS: "Every Human Heart".

Next we will embark on the DVD of "Mad Men", starting from the top. We didn't watch it when it was broadcast. DH spent some time in advertising and public relations, and we are old enough to remember the whole 'scene'!