Well, that will be different. Somehow I don't think she will end up being BFF with Violet (Maggie Smith). I just love that show. I am thrilled that there will be a third season.

Ick! ... Am not a fan of S.M. -- so stiff always on her high-horse attitude.... And she's that way in TV interviews, too. Has the emotional/character range from A to B! But then, the soap opera "depth" of this series might suit that level of ability. Although, what's so fine about it *is* the high acting level of its performers...so maybe she'll drag is down? Now if Gene Rowlands were picked I'd be over the moon. Not only is she a -- still! -- real beauty, but has always been a fine actress with real range. And has one thing SM used to have but now lacks -- fluidity.
[GR is a blond, I know, but then the middle daughter of Lady G. has light hair even though the mother has very dark hair...so that shouldn't be a problem.]

This was in today's Daily Telegraph. You will notice we don't take the programme too seriously. ;-)

Here is a link that might be useful: Dowager Countess of Gratham v Martha Levinson

Warning!! Vee's link, while funny, also contains at least one big spoiler for Americans. At least I think it is a spoiler but I did miss this past Sunday's show.

I could not resist it so now I know, but it really was not all that much of a surprise. Thanks for the warning, though.

I just love the clothes. If this show had nothing else, the costumes alone would do it for me!

Rosefolly, who is currently busy sewing costumes for a Jane Austen Society event next summer

I don't care for Shirley MacClain & cannot believe she has anything to add to the show.

I loved the comment from the poster who said he was waiting for Lord Voldemort to show up-funny!

Pat

That article is the funniest thing I have read in ages, I can't stop laughing. Also contains a couple of good lines that I am sure I can use - must get busy memorizing -

bookmom - Thanks for the warning.

Sherwood - Glad to see someone else agrees.

Not a matter of "taking it too seriously"... just not wanting this once-a-week fun to be tainted [due to a bad casting choice].

This show reminds me of Upstairs, Downstairs but on steroids; love it anyway. I am hoping I can find a reshowing of last Sunday's episode over the weekend so my daughter and I can catch up.

If you go to PBS.org and click on Masterpiece , the shows are available to view on line.
It's a good way to catch up.

Or course there is always the DVDs ( UK version is best because it's unedited) available for purchase at Amazon.
I am going to have to buy season one dvds and get caught up since I'm coming into this series mid season two !

If anyone belngs to Netflix Season 1 is available for streaming or by DVD.

Pat

I like Shirley MacLaine, although in some of her later roles she has become a little shrill. I loved her in "Sweet Charity." She can't be any worse than Elizabeth McGovern, though, who may be my least favorite character. It may not be top-notch TV, but it sure is a fun way to spend an hour on Sunday night -- or later in the week if you have a DVR.

She was an amazing dancer well into her fifties at least. Who knows, perhaps still. I am surprised, though perhaps I should not be, at how wonderfully professional dancers keep their health, their flexibility, and their figures, sometimes into old age. Another such is Tina Turner, just a magnificent woman. It's enough to make me want to take dancing lessons. Though in truth people like me who cannot tell their left from their right are rarely much good at dancing.

Too bad dancing is not what the role is likely to require. In that case, we would probably enjoy her performance very much.

I'm enjoying this series for the sheer fun of it. I know it is nothing but a soap opera in historic costume, but what a soap opera, and what costumes! And some very good acting along the way now and then.

Rosefolly

For anyone who is curious what some of the Downton Abbey look like in real life... see the link.

:-)

Here is a link that might be useful: DW Stars On- and Off-Screen

Sherwood - Thanks for the info.

Bookmom - "...'Upstairs, Downstairs' on steroids..." Ha-ha!

Lemonhead - Very fun to look over the photos you posted - via link above.

Doesn't Rob James-Collier look like a totally different person?

Roly & Ellie look very much the same -- of course, they're dogs!

Siobhan Finneran (O'Brien) -- What a transformation -- quite "a babe", as a man would say.

Phyllis Carter (Mrs. Hughes) -- Wouldn't have recognized her at all. V. attractive ... and younger-looking!

lemonhead - Thanks for the link; that was fun. It's amazing how some of them look almost the same on-screen and off and others look dramatically different. My vote for the most dramatic: Mrs. Hughes.

I don't even like the show but I love the pics. Especially the furry ones at the end! Thank you for that bit of fun.

You don't like Shirley Maclaine in her mother role but you haven't seen it yet? Pray tell what one is to make of that?

Inkognito, you make an excellent point. We won't know until we see her. For all we know, Shirley Maclaine may do a superb job in the role, and indeed I hope she does. It's rarely wise to pre-judge.

Rosefolly

Well, in looking at those pictures, no wonder Ethel (Amy Nuttall) got herself "in trouble." :)

Thanks for the tip about watching season 2 shows on PBS.org, especially since my daughter and I are now two shows behind. We watched season 1 on Netflix but I don't think 2 is on there yet.

Speaking of Downton Abbey and its role as a military hospital (or is it a convalescent hospital)... I have dug up a Gutenburg copy of Diary Without Dates by Enid Bagnold which is a NF diary of her life and times as a VAD at a military hospital about the same time as Downton. It's interesting to read about the reality of war at the same time as watching a fictional version on TV... This was written in 1918, and good so far.

Here is a link that might be useful: Diary Without Dates

And then here is the Motherload of WWI medical history books, ranging from diaries to more historical accounts of the history of nursing (presumably mostly British).

Here is a link that might be useful: WWI Nursing books list

Just an opinion about the *casting* -- nothing else. No one is saying she will definitely be horrible.

Did anyone catch the Saturday Night Live last week with their homage to Downton Abbey?... Funny. I would post it, but it's hard to find now as NBC took a lot of the copies down for copyright.

Worth looking around for it tho'. (Disclaimer: some iffy language, but you're adults. You can cope.)

:-)

Iffy language bleeped.

Here is a link that might be useful: SNL on Downton Abbey

Speaking of watching Season ONE on Netflix........you can get one month FREE and cancel at any time.
I brought my PC to the living room last weekend and treated myself to the entire Season one, and knit a great vest for myself while watching !!

Bliss.

I'm not sure I will want to pay the $8 monthly for Netflix but before the free month is over I will definitely watch a few old movies and British series that I had wanted to see.

And now, to keep you occupied until the next season begins, some DA cutout dolls... :-)

Here is a link that might be useful: Cut Out Dolls for DA....

The next series of Upstairs Downstairs has just started on the BBC. As with DA, the costumes/sets etc are spot-on (it is 1938 the women are svelte and permed, the men suited and collar-and-tied). The critics have downed it because it is too 'middle brow', by which I suppose they mean we enjoy the story line and aren't expected to think too deeply.
Did the first series from way back in the early '70's ever reach 'foreign parts'?

Oh, yes. Upstairs Downstairs showed on Masterpiece Theater and was beloved by all, and they also showed the first part of the new series last season.

Our Sunday paper had an article about Downton Abbey, calling it a sterling silver soap opera in a stainless steel world, which amused me no end.

I missed the original series both in the UK and US, but have been trying to make up for lost time by getting the cds through the ILL system... Taking quite some time tho'. Apparently, I am not the only person going through an Upstairs/Downstairs phase now.

My Netflix subscription has been on hold for a while since I didn't have time to watch anything but it will be active again next week so I will start watching Season 1. There aren't many programs that so many people enjoy so much and I am convinced that I've missed something really good.

Here's a good article about the original family who actually lives in Downton Abbey... Scandalous as well.

Here is a link that might be useful: The Real Inhabitants of Downton Abbey

Thanks, lemonhead. That was quite fun.

For anyone interested...

You can get a free month of Netflix, which you can cancel anytime and then restart ( starting the free month anew)..and cancel etc.

The UPSTAIRS DOWNSTAIRS season one is available to watch now as well as season ONE of Downton Abbey.

Free.