Hi Folks,

It’s true. I have a guilty secret. Its rather embarrassing and I am not sure you will understand. But I have decided now is the right time to come clean about it.  I am hoping you will all understand and be gentle with me. OK, here goes.

I am a huge ‘Downton Abbey’ Fan.  There you are. It’s out now and I have to say, I feel better for sharing with you. 

I suppose it’s possible some of you might not know about Downton Abbey, in which case let me explain.

Downton Abbey

Downton Abbey is a historical Period Drama set in the early 20th Century. It was created by Julian Fellowes and is set in the fictional Yorkshire estate of Downton. The series follows the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family and their domestic servants as the country goes through the 1st World War and the period of social upheaval that followed.

In reality, Downton Abbey is actually Highclere Castle in Hampshire, the family home of the 8th Earl and Countess of Carnarvon.  Most of the exterior filming took place there as did many of the interior shots. The kitchen, servants’ quarters and some of the bedrooms were sets built at Ealing Studios and the local village of Downton is, in fact, Bampton in Oxfordshire.  But it all comes together to make a convincing tableau of how the other half lived at the turn of the last century.

Downton Abbey, my guilty secret.

The TV Series

The program first aired in 2010 and run for a total of 6 seasons, culminating in a finale in 2015. In all, including Christmas specials, there were 52 episodes produced and I have watched them all. Twice.

I didn’t catch the program in 2010. I don’t think wifey and I  started watching it until Season 3 in 2012 when we were living in Qatar. Finding something entertaining to watch was always a challenge, leading to our viewing all kinds of things we might not otherwise consider.   But, having watched an episode, we were hooked. I ordered the boxed sets for the first 2 seasons we had missed the very next morning. Once they arrived, Wifey and I binge-watched them to get us up to speed on the storyline.

Downton became a Sunday night treat. An early night with an episode of Downton Abbey and chocolates in bed.  Very decadent.

Upstairs, Downstairs

I don’t usually like Period Dramas.  We did thoroughly enjoy Game of Thrones, but that wasn’t exactly your standard period drama. More science fantasy mixed with soft porn and all washed down with copious blood and gore.  Downton is a rather different prospect. The gentle goings-on of the Earl and Duchess of Grantham and their offspring, all quite literally waited on hand and foot by their mostly loyal servants.

Upstairs, Downstairs never did it for me

Growing up, there was a program called Upstairs, Downstairs, which I suppose was broadly similar. I hated it.  Other programs of that genre included “The Forsyth Saga”. Hated it. “Foyles War”. Boring. And “Poldark”. Tedious.  Yet I was glued to the screen where Downton was concerned, impatiently looking forward to the next episode.  I am not sure why?  The storylines by Mr Fellowes are not exactly cliff hangers. In fact, they are quite predictable and rather farfetched at times.   A critic once said of Downton, the history is preposterous, the storylines unbelievable but it is compulsive TV.  I know exactly what he means.

 

 

The Downton Characters

I suspect a lot is to do with the characters and the often over the top portrayal by the actors.  Certainly so, in my case.  I admire Lord Grantham, played by Hugh Bonneville. Whilst a traditionalist struggling to adapt to a new era, His Lordship is a thoroughly decent and honourable chap and I can empathize with that. Lady Grantham played by Elisabeth McGovern, on the other hand, always struck me as a bit of a wet fish. She was alright, but I never really knew what the Earl saw in her, other than the fortune needed to save the down at heel Downton, of course. 

The Crawley Family

Of their offspring, Lady Mary came across as the typical cold, haughty aristocrat. Very self-absorbed and with a complete belief in her right to be at the top of the social heap. She could be very unpleasant at times, especially to her younger sibling, Lady Edith.  Not the prettiest and certainly not the luckiest of the Crawley children, Lady Edith struggled with Lady Mary’s easy charm and popularity. Especially amongst the eligible young men that seemed to drift in and out of the Abbey, completely overlooking her.  I confess, I often wished she would just get over herself. The youngest of the three Crawley daughters was Lady Sybil.  She was the rebellious free thinker in the family and the Crawley most able and willing to accept the social changes that were coming. As if to demonstrate this, she fell in love and married Branson, the chauffeur. 

The Cousins

The remaining Crawley’s were Isobel and Mathew Crawley.  Middle-Class Cousins to the Aristocratic branch of the family, Mathew was also the rightful heir to the Grantham title with Isobel, his widowed and socially right on, mother.  Oh, and I mustn’t forget the old Dowager Countess, Lady Violet Crawley, the Earls mother, (Maggie Smith). She and Isobel (Penelope Wilton), provide much of the humour. I loved the old Countess’s acerbic wit, especially when verbally fencing with the more liberal Isobel.

The Servants

Downstairs, there seemed to be hordes of staff all, or mostly all, devoted to the Family upstairs.  Ruling the servants with an iron hand was the Butler, Carson (Jim Carter).  A stickler for tradition and propriety, Carson seemed to struggle with the changing times more than His Lordship. They were certainly kindred spirits, despite the class differences. Mrs Hughes, (Phyllis Logan), the housekeeper helped to soften Mr Carson somewhat.  Then we had O’Brien Her Ladyships Maid and Thomas a footman. These are the two you love to hate. Mean and nasty, they were always plotting and causing trouble. Usually against Mr Bates, his Lordships valet and Anna, Lady Mary’s maid and the eventual Mrs Bates. Crikey, but those two were unlucky, seemingly in and out of trouble and prison every season.  Other characters of note are Mrs Patmore the long-suffering cook, Daisy her assistant. Spratt, the Dowagers snobby butler and Mosely, an unassuming Footman. There were hordes more that came and went. Must have been a busy and crowded place downstairs in these big houses.

The Downton Abbey Cast

A Bygone Age

Apart from the characters, I think I enjoyed seeing a time when manners, courtesy and a sense of honour were still very important. That and the good old British Stiff Upper Lip.   Cousin Larry might have just had his leg blown off at the Somme, but that’s no reason to let it spoil dinner. And quite right too.  Certainly today, I do pine for the loss of these virtues.  Simple things like opening a door or offering your seat up for a lady. You are more likely to be accused of sexism than thanked. Political correctness has killed much of what is nothing more than good manners. We haven’t improved standards. Instead, we have reduced everything to the lowest possible denominator. I think it’s very sad.

Wifey used to say I should have been born in that era. Not so sure about that.  Whilst I admire much about the culture and way of life, I suspect it would be different to experience it firsthand.   If one was indeed a landed aristocrat, I am confident one would have a splendid time.  Trouble is, I am far more likely to have been the 3rd footman or Hall Boy than the lord of the manner.  As such, I suspect that in reality, their Lordships would have been far less accommodating, understanding and generous, to the downstairs staff.   Fantasy is always far better than the reality.

Good manners and etiquette seem to have died

Downton The Hollywood Film

Why am I going on about this now? Well, a new film about Downton has been released. Featuring the old cast and with a few new characters, Downton has gone to Hollywood.  In anticipation of seeing it, I am busily re-watching the past series and reacquainting myself with the Abbey and the characters. 

I am pleased to say, if a little embarrassed to admit, I am enjoying it just as much this time as the first time.  If you have never watched the program, I urge you to give it a go.

Downton is not a real depiction of how life was in a big house, either upstairs or downstairs.  It’s very much a fantasy vision of a Britain that never really existed, but which should have.  Downton is  a world where toffs in ball gowns and tails enjoy sumptuous dinners, whilst downstairs, everyone from the kitchen maid to the second footman is happy with their lot. And why, well because the people at the top are such jolly decent chaps.  As such it’s a nice escape from our coarser times.

What do you think of Downton? Posh Pantomime, social commentary or Upper-class Soap? Do let me know. Do you think society is better today than back then? Is everything better?  I would love to know your opinions.

Highclere Castle

Highclere Castle In Hampshire

There are not many of the old Country Houses left in private hands these days. The cost of running them, especially with the cost of death duties, meant that many are now museums, or in the hands of the National Trust. However, if you fancy seeing Downton for real, you can.  Highclere Castle has recently opened to the public.  It’s seasonal, so you would need to plan your visit. Otherwise, you may well have Carson seeing you off the private home of the Carnarvon’s with a loaded 12 bore.

Opening times and details of the various events and tours are available here. Just click on the link.

I hope to see you there,

 Graham