One of the unexpected benefits of the 2NHG's public nerdiness is receiving advance notice of interesting historically–related books and television shows.
Recently we received word from PBS member station WGBH Boston* of what looks to be another delicious Masterpiece program, Downton Abbey. We understand it’s been a hit in the U.K., and we expect no less here. Certainly, the preview clips are enticing, as is the program description:
“The plot of Downton Abbey is straight out of Jane Austen, updated to the era that introduced electric lights and telephones. It is 1912. The Titanic has just gone down in the north Atlantic, taking with it the two male heirs to Downton Abbey, whose current Lord Grantham has only daughters—albeit marriageable ones. His nearest male relative is a lowly lawyer—and bachelor—living in Manchester, who duly arrives with his mother to learn the ropes of managing a sprawling country estate, with its army of devoted, sometimes bickering servants, its hunts, garden parties, and sexual intrigues.”
The series begins in the U.S. on Sunday 9 January on PBS. Lovers of historical drama will want to reserve space on their TV viewing schedules.
*PBS is the U.S.’s non-profit public broadcasting television service, and WGBH, this Massachusetts girl is proud to say, is one of its biggest producers of what they call “educational programming,” a name that ill serves entertaining and addictive shows, some of which, like Masterpiece, have been on the air for decades.
One of us -- 
6 comments:
I hope the Two Nerdy History Girls are attending the Twitter party for Downton Abbey too. The more nerds the better.
Downton Abbey was just brilliant, you're going to love it:)
If I had to pick ANY era whatsoever in which to set a television programme, I would go for the Edwardian era - the politics, the clothes, the art and architecture, the theatre *sigh*. No wonder Downton Abbey was so well received. Oh yes... plus it was well written, well acted and well directed :)
At the cinema, The Shooting Party and Howard's End were also very well done.
I can hardley wait until it starts. I am a member supporter of Iowa public television and saw the previews on-line.
Great write up. Thanks.
I'm one of the people who can't wait for this too start on Sunday. I had planned on watching it sipping champagne, but that will have to wait until the 2nd episode, since I just had dental surgery.
I was lucky enough to see this last year thanks to some friends from the UK (and a region-free player) and its incredibly addictive. It wasn't just me, either; the husband wander by about halfway through the first episode and got completely hooked.
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