If You Like Downton Abbey...

I don't know if you like Downton Abbey as much as I do reader, but it's been a fun ride for me so far. I've always been a bit obsessed with England's aristocracy, (well with London in particular) and it's been a new adventure into the post-Edwardian era, which I have known very little about.

But alas, we moved and when we said goodbye to cable we also said goodbye to tv in general because we don't own any bunny ears. I have had to make do with my Netflix subscription over the last few months. While we were moving I fell in love with the show "Call the Midwife." I myself have a strong interest in midwifery...it's something I like to hope I will be brave enough to do when I get pregnant...you know have a natural birth, not be a midwife. :) But the show is fabulous! (Did I mention that it's based on a book?) Poor Andrew was only ever unpacking in different rooms and could hear the screams of laboring women, but the show is really a fascinating look at life in the East End of London during the 1950's.

Over the Christmas holiday we enjoyed watching the BBC's new series Sherlock. The first season was ok, but the second was absolutely perfect! They definitely hit their stride and hit the comedic marks right on cue. The third season is about to start airing!

Then this last weekend Amazon Prime recommended I watch Upstairs Downstairs. I couldn't believe it! It seemed like a perfect copy of Downton Abbey, until I found out that this series was made first. The original Upstairs Downstairs was a show in the 70's, and in 2010 they brought the show back centering around the same house, but with a new family several years later. The title refers to the life upstairs of a wealthy family, and life downstairs of all of their servants. Downton Abbey takes place during WWI, and the new Upstairs Downstairs prefaces the tension before WWII. The series is well done with fabulous sets and costumes. If you like Downton Abbey, I suggest you give it a try! The real shame is that it only lasted 2 seasons.

So this weekend I plan to catch up on the original Upstairs Downstairs. I'll let you know if it's worth a watch. I hope you like my recommendations. As someone without current tv, Netflix and Amazon Prime have been a lifesaver!

I'm starting to think that BBC can do no wrong...and Masterpiece Theater is becoming my favorite! It might be enough to make me start donating...who couldn't use a Downton Abbey tote? And just for your enjoyment, here are a few pictures of my BBC studio tour from my 2010 study abroad in London.

The building.

One of the studios.

Me in one of the dressing rooms.