Using the word “obsessed” is practically an understatement when it comes to explaining my love for the PBS Masterpiece Classic series Downton Abbey. I tune in religiously every Sunday to see the latest drama unfolding in Downton, a fictional town in early 20th century England. The show centers around the wealthy Earl of Grantham, his American wife, their three daughters and the servants who run their home. The second season, which already aired in Britain on BBC, takes place during World War I. When my older sister first started watching the show, it seemed uninteresting and stuffy. However, less than half an episode in, I was hooked.
I adore the five-hour BBC version of Pride and Prejudice, I love Mad Men, and I gave Pan Am a chance during its brief career. In short, when it comes to television, I love a well done period piece. Downton Abbey appeals to a much wider audience than any of those other shows. The following are my top five reasons everyone should tune in Sunday evenings next season.
It’s winning accolades from critics everywhere.
In 2011, Downton Abbey appeared in the Guinness Book of World Records as the “most critically acclaimed English-language television show.” This honor had previously gone to shows like Modern Family or Mad Men, which both have legions of staunch supporters. Additionally, the show won six Primetime Emmy Awards (It was nominated for 11) and recently won the Golden Globe Award for Best Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television. The series also has numerous nominations and wins from the Screen Actors Guild and BAFTA (a.k.a. the British Oscars), among other groups.
The drama is anything but boring.
The show is produced as a Masterpiece Classic, the same company that produces the always-entertaining Masterpiece Theatre. This is an indication of how dramatic the series can be. With plotting footmen and housemaids plus suitors and secret lovers, the plot’s twists and turns make it impossible to predict what will happen next. Although the show takes place in an entirely different era than our own, the issues facing characters, such as unrequited love and matters of reputation, are surprisingly relatable to audiences today.
Watching the show feels like being in an exclusive club.
A strange kinship forms between viewers of Downton Abbey. Even though the show is incredibly popular (its second season premiere averaged more viewers than Kourtney and Kim Take New York), it has yet to become very big in central Missouri. Yet its fans are passionate and won’t hesitate to join a conversation if they hear you discussing the latest episode. One Saturday night at a Mizzou fraternity, my friend Maggie and I were discussing in our best British accents how much we loved the show. To our surprise, a boy neither of us had met before heard and immediately told us his mom loved it, too. A few weeks later, I was discussing the show in between classes and had a similar experience with a girl who overheard and wanted to tell my friend and I she was also a fan.
It is the best possible show to watch with your parents.
In my house, my family usually divides between Desperate Housewives and The Good Wife at 8 p.m. Sundays. But when season two of Downton Abbey premiered January 8, my parents, two sisters and I all sat down together to watch the entire two-hour premiere. The plotline is far from boring, yet this is not the kind of show that’s embarrassing to watch around your parents. In fact both my grandmothers, one of whom grew up in Britain, love the show. The show appeals to all of us and is often a topic of discussion when I talk to anyone in my family.
It’s one of the most beautifully constructed shows on television.
I have done my best to convince readers that Downton Abbey is worth putting on the Netflix queue and powering through one cold winter weekend. If anything, it is watchable because of how well done the show is. From the title sequence to the costumes, the series’ producers and directors pay tremendous attention to detail. The show is often filmed at an actual estate in Britain, and the trains and automobiles all fit the time period. Additionally, over the course of the series, the show’s costumes have evolved from opulent pre-WWI to more practical as the war rages in Europe.
British period pieces might not be for everyone, but Downton Abbey has surprising mass appeal. The show was recently renewed for a third season, which will be set in post-WWI England. It is well worth getting caught up on the show in order to join in for the third season!