Upstairs Downstairs - old and new

[Booknutt]

Who is looking forward to the Christmas showing of the new series of Upstairs Downstairs?

 

Me, for one!

 

Jean Marsh is back in Eaton Place, managing the staff side of the new "family", and we'll see what kind of a "Ladyship" elegant Keeley Hawes will make.

 

I doubt if it'll measure up to the original much-loved series - but it'll be a good "watch" all the same.

 

Which character did you like best in the original?

 

For years I wanted to be Mrs Bridges It was quite a job to be a Cook for a "big house" in back-then days. Real cooking, too - no de-freezing and microwaving for her! It must have been wonderfully satisfying though, to settle down in the evening beside the kitchen fire with a nice cuppa, and know that everyone in the household was fed, for another day.

[Kidsmum]

I'm looking forward to it , I don't remember the original series maybe we didn't watch it in our house I'm not sure but this sort of thing is right up my street so I'll definitely be watching

[deneng]

I am also looking forward to it. I remember well the old series and thought Rose was great. I am really pleased Jean Marsh is in the new series. Who knows it could be better than the old one. Anyway I am sure I will enjoy it. :-)

 

[Ophelia]

I, too, am looking forward to it.

 

I am also pleased that this new series is set in a different period of history to the first and is not just a remake.

 

ITV3 often repeat the original series and my favourite character was Sarah, the maid who got into 'trouble' after a fling with Captain Bellamy

Edited December 12, 2010 by Ophelia

[pontalba]

I loved the original series! I have in on tape even, yes, tape. Had it for many years now, and several watchings too.

 

I'm so glad Jean Marsh is in a new one...I'd not heard of it over here. Will her character still be Rose, just promoted? What year will it pick up, or is it literally a remake of the original?

 

AIE: whoops, just realized Ophelia said it is a continuation....it'll pick up when then?

Edited December 14, 2010 by pontalba

[Ophelia]

I loved the original series! I have in on tape even, yes, tape. Had it for many years now, and several watchings too.

 

I'm so glad Jean Marsh is in a new one...I'd not heard of it over here. Will her character still be Rose, just promoted? What year will it pick up, or is it literally a remake of the original?

 

AIE: whoops, just realized Ophelia said it is a continuation....it'll pick up when then?

 

 

I think we pick it up circa 1936, pontalba. Rose is back at Eaton Place as the Housekeeper, I believe.

[Booknutt]

Happy New Year All!

 

Yes the "new" version (as we'll all have seen, now!) picked up just a few years before 1940 - and the Second Word War.

 

I must admit I wasn't too sure if I liked it for the first couple of episodes. With the alcholic young footman being marched off to jail at the end of the first episode, and the arrival and death of the new maid, who leaves an orphan child to be cared for by the end of the second, I was beginning to think a former resident had cursed No. 165 Eaton Place! Fortunately, things shaped-up for the end of the third episode, and a Happy Ending was experienced for most of the characters.

 

I've gotta say, though - I don't think the employer\servant relationship will ever be quite the same between Lady Agnes and Pritchard her butler again. I bet she'd no idea she'd deliver her first-born literally into his hands!!