Posted on 10/10/2009 5:32:40 PM PDT by tlb
Upstairs, Downstairs, the classic television saga of a Belgravia family and its servants, will return next year in a new version on BBC One.
The show originally ran on ITV from 1971 to 1975, spanning the fictional life of the Bellamy family from 1903 to 1930, and was the brainchild of actresses Dame Eileen Atkins and Jean Marsh.
Dame Eileen did not appear in the original series, as filming would have clashed with her burgeoning career in the theatre. She is however likely to take a prominent role in the new version, as one of the wealthy and connected Holland family, who now own 165 Eaton Place.
The new version will be set in 1936.
Miss Marsh will reprise her Emmy-winning role as Rose - now no longer a maid, but the housekeeper at the same celebrated address, 165 Eaton Place.
Miss Marsh and Dame Eileen still own the rights to Upstairs, Downstairs. They have received many offers over the years to revive it – but, until now, none that has come to fruition.
“A long time ago Jack Webb, an American producer, wanted Gordon Jackson and me to film a series in Los Angeles with us running an employment agency,” said Miss Marsh. “Then a musical was going to be done, but that fell through.”
The new version will start as two feature-length episodes, executive produced by Miss Thomas and Piers Wenger, the head of drama for BBC Wales. It will start to be filmed next spring. It will be transmitted on BBC One later in 2010, with a full series possibly following in 2011.
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
This new series will bomb.
The writing isn’t as good, or the acting, or the production values of all these “NEW” BBC series based on the old favorites.
I can’t stand to watch “Mystery” anymore, with silly convoluted plots, excess sex and violence, and just plain tawdriness. What 25 year old Brit can write a mystery story as well as Agatha Christie?
BBC is putting new wine in old skins. We all know what happens when that is done.
Not sure they can update it though.
prisoner6
Fond memories of the original on Masterpiece Theater c/o channel 13 in NJ . Now watching I Claudius on DVD . Duchess of Duke Street and The Pallisers were other faves .
Superb is right. My family watched a lot of PBS BBC programming when I was a young ‘un. Masterpiece Theatre, Upstairs/Downstairs, Last of the Mohicans, Benny Hill, and of course Monty Python!
I'm not at all hopeful about the "sequel" or remake.Not at *all*.
The Goodies.
This show was a weekly ritual for me and my mom (RIP) once upon a time. You just brought back a flood of memories.
Jean Marsh doing a Jack Webb show? Now that’s an intriguing thought.
My wife and I would love it if they brought back “Keeping up Appearances.” Onzlo and the Bucket women, Hyacinth, are hilarious.
I loved the Lily Langtry series on PBS as well. I watched them when I was a teen...because I had ‘found’ the writings of Jane Austen. I look forward to this new series as well.
geez whats the point of an oversized picture of Obama on a CHAT thread about a classic British television show.
Well EXCUUUSSSSSSE ME!! Wrong thread. Sorry.
(But he IS pretty, isn’t he???)
Loved that show. Wanted to buy the DVDs but cash is tight.
Also, IFC is airing episodes of the “Prisoner” on Fridays nights. Good show but a little quirky.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.