Downton Abbey

Channel: Seven
Day & time: Sunday, 8.30 p.m.
(as at July 2011)
Watch full episodes online HERE

It’s 1912 and the Titanic has just sunk beneath the Atlantic Ocean taking with it the Earl of Grantham, Robert Crawley’s, (Hugh Bonneville) cousin and heir. Speculation mounts as to just who would now stand to inherit the lucrative Estate which can only be passed on to a male heir as a package.

It would all be good and well had American-born Cora Crawley (Elizabeth McGovern), the Countess of Grantham, given birth to a son. Instead, the Crawley’s have three daughters: Mary (Michelle Dockery), Edith (Laura Carmichael) and Sybil (Jessica Brown-Findley).

It’s also spot of bother for the Cora, as it means all the money she brought into the family would be passed on to a stranger. Though her mother-in-law, the Dowager Countess Violet (Maggie Smith), despite not being Cora’s biggest fan is prepared to help her to protect her wealth.

That seems enough drama for one show, but a big place like Downton doesn’t run itself. A new valet for Lord Grantham has just arrived, but butler Carson (Jim Carter) and Lady Grantham’s maid Mrs O’Brien (Siobahn Finneran) are determined to sabotage Mr Bates (Brendan Coyle) – mainly because he uses a walking stick. Bates though, has found an unlikely ally in Anna Smith (Joanne Froggatt), the head housemaid.

Love is also in the air downstairs as Daisy (Sophie McShera), the scullery maid most often seen scrubbing down the ovens or the fireplaces, has developed a crush on first footman Thomas (Rob-James Collier). Unbeknownst to everyone though, she’s not his type; in fact he’s not really a “ladies’” man at all – even getting involved in blackmailing his lover, who also happens to be a Duke.

There’s a lot of drama happening at Downton. Writer and creator Julian Fellowes keeps Downton Abbey relatively fast-paced, speeding from one sub-plot to the next. It’s witty, intriguing and quite captivating.

It also expertly toes the line between an accurate representation of the aristocracy and their servants and allowing the viewers to empathise with an unfamiliar social dynamic. Lord Grantham spares a thought for those in steerage on the Titanic before turning attention to the matter of his heir. Furthermore, despite initially marrying Cora for her money, he has since fallen in love with her. The relationship between the Lord and his Butler is also one of mutual respect, rather than a master/servant dynamic.

Despite being fantastically written, production spares no attention to detail either. It’s filmed at the gorgeous Highclere Castle in Hampshire, and full use is made of its pristine grounds and interiors. Authenticity has clearly been high on the agenda for the show’s creators.

It’s also flawlessly cast. Maggie Smith steals every scene she’s in – one can only hope she plays an even larger role as the story progresses. Brendan Coyle is also one of the standout performers as the resilient and somewhat mysterious Mr Bates.

Downton Abbey is a flawless period drama. Even those who would normally avoid anything with the words “British” and “period drama” in it (such as this reviewer) will find themselves captivated from the very beginning. Whether it’s the aristocratic manoeuvrings upstairs or the personalities and excitement downstairs that appeals more – you’ll find Downton Abbey brilliantly absorbing.

Mat Kelly