Downton Abbey, a BBC series reminiscent of the successful 1970’s show “Upstairs, Downstairs,” enjoyed a 10 million-viewer audience in Britain and a recent run on PBS. This period drama of the early 20th century follows proper aristocrats and busy servants as both classes embrace and struggle with the changing world around them. Upstairs, Lord Grantham and his American-born wife (Elizabeth McGovern) fear that their land and financial holdings will be lost due to English inheritance law. They also want to secure suitors for their three daughters. Helping to stir the pot is acting royalty Maggie Smith, who steals every scene she is in. Downstairs, the staff provides delicious commentary on the lives upstairs and reveals ambitions, troubles, and scandals all their own. Watch it on DVD or iTunes. (PBS)
About the Author
Ron VandenBurg is a Christian school teacher and a theatre and media buff. He is a member of Jubilee Fellowship CRC in St. Catharines, Ontario.