Alrighty, wise people of the Internet.
I mentioned last week that Bart and I had started watching Downton Abbey. And then many of you commented on how much YOU liked that show too.
I love these kinds of shows (watching this one, with the Christmas tree lit, reminds me of watching Little Dorrit by the light of our (much larger) Christmas tree in Boston), and I’m pretty sure I need more of them in my life.
And since you all seem to be watching them, you should tell me what to check out after we finish Downton Abbey.
We’ve seen and loved North and South, Jane Eyre, Cranford, Wives and Daughters, Bleak House, and most Jane Austen adaptations.
What’s next?
GeogJen says
Have you seen the House of Eliott? It's now relatively old, but still good. It's about two sisters setting up a clothing company in the 1920s.
Lisa says
You MUST watch Lark Rise to Candleford. There are four seasons, but I'm still sad that there will not be any more.
JoLee says
I really liked Daniel Deronda and The Aristocrats. Have you seen either of those miniseries?
smalldog says
Try the adaptation of Cold Comfort Farm with Kate Beckinsale.
Deanna says
I have no suggestions, but thanks to many internet recommendations, Downton Abbey is sitting in my Netflix queue waiting for Christmas break! I can't wait to watch it.
Elizabeth says
If you liked Downton Abbey you totally need to watch Upstairs Downstairs.
Emily says
I've heard Lark Rise to Candleford is wonderful from blog mentions and reviews at Amazon. I haven't seen it yet myself but it's the big item on my Christmas wish list.
Angiegirl says
Have you seen Sherlock yet? It's brilliant.
Also second the vote for the Beckinsale Cold Comfort Farm.
Lady Susan says
Have you seen the new adaptation of Sherlock?
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/sherlock/
A modern adaptation. I thought it was brilliant.
Christy says
I just started the new "Upstairs, Downstairs", as well as a show called "The Hour." And the Masterpiece Theatre version of Sherlock Holmes is WONDERFUL!!!!
Shannon says
I really enjoyed Cranford and ended up listening to the audiobook as well. Very fun.
Meg says
There is a great Anthony Trollope adaptation called The Way We Live Now. It's full of pure craziness and actors I love, and it's amazing. I also recommend the newish Tess of the D'Urbervilles if you don't hate Thomas Hardy. It's gorgeous and very well done. There's also a fabulous slightly older adaptation of Middlemarch with Refus Sewell in it. It makes my heart sing with joy, and I agree with whoever said Daniel Deronda, Cold Comfort, and Sherlock. All fantastic. (Also, I'm a tiny bit of a nut about all things BBC.)
Melanie says
I will definitely be checking back to get more suggestions from the comments. I second votes for Sherlock, Upstairs Downstairs, and Tess.
I have really enjoyed some of the Masterpiece Mystery shows. I'm not sure if they're still available online, but maybe you could find them from Netflix or YouTube. My favorites are Poirot, Miss Marple, and Inspector Lewis.
I also really love the series All Creatures Great and Small. It was made in the 70s or 80s, and I was able to find it at the pubic library. The audio books are great too.
Melanie says
Also, I watched the Manor House reality show on YouTube. There are a bunch of house reality shows where people live as if they are in a different time period. Manor House was fascinating.
Phil and Becca says
I loved Jane Austen's sense and sensibility and also most of the Charles Dickens adaptations from 2008 or 2009, although Little Dorrit was my favorite. Jane Eyre, the 2008 Masterpiece classic is by far the best one and even though I hated "withering heights, the book" the movie was compelling. Have fun!
Ralphie says
Oh my gravy girl. Period films are my deep deep rooted love, as you well know.
Lark Rise to Candelford- you can watch them all on youtube, delicious
Nicholas Nickleby
Cold Comfort Farm
Daniel Deronda
Middlemarch- I LOVE Rufus Sewell.
The Age of Innocence
The Way We Live Now
Ethan Frome- because I love Liam Neeson too.
The Woodlanders
The Buccaneers
Victoria and Albert
The Ideal Husband
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall
Nemesis says
Loved the new Sherlock, and ditto the Daniel Deronda and Lark Rise suggestions. (Note: I have not seen those last two things because I know they are long and addicting, and I just can't get sucked into something long and addicting at the moment.)
Other winners: Our Mutual Friend (that's Pushing Daisies' Anna Friel as the heroine–and, while we're at it, just check out Pushing Daisies too if you haven't seen it)
The ShakespeaRetold series is fun, especially the two comedies and the Macbeth starring James McAvoy.
Camille says
Cranford, duh.
Jenny says
Oh, I love BBC and A&E movies. Sometimes I just go to the library check out a whole bunch and watch for days. I've never watched Downtown Abbey, though. Daniel Deronda is kind of interesting and so is The House of Mirth, though the ending ticked me off!
Jodi says
Those are all so great! Now I'm just jealous that your husband Bart actually enjoys watching them with you.
Jones says
I love all things BBC! I highly recommend Doc Martin. It is not a period drama but very British and very funny. We also laughed ourselves silly watching The Vicar of Dibley. Initially I didn't like Midsommer Murders (too slow, too many people dying) but have grown to like the beautiful scenery and all things British. I really enjoyed Doctor Finlay (end of WW II) and, of course, Foyle's War — absolutely the best of all! I've enjoyed George Gently, Rosemary and Thyme and anything PD James. Perhaps you don't enjoy mysteries, but BBC generally does them very well. If any of these work for you and you still want more suggestions, I have more. Also, we've gotten many of these movies from the public library. Carol
Shelly says
Totally recommend Cold Comfort Farm – hysterical!
Also, have you read Case Histories by Kate Atkinson and the two sequels? Masterpiece Theater did a version of them that is AWESOME. Jason Issacs plays Jackson Brodie and he is just perfect!
Sammy says
Are you getting all these on netflix?? I must know… my mom went into a frenzy and purchased all BBC versions of Jane Austen's in Costco… but where do I see them without having to buy??
Mary Frances says
Thank you for posing this question to the internet! I am in the midst of the same (very serious, of course) dilemma, having just finished Downton (for the third time) this past weekend!
Jordon&Andrea says
Sherlock!!! It's the only one I've seen .. . besides North and South, and I loved it. A good one to watch with the hubby too.
Sammy says
Came back to this post because I just finished downton abbey and I'm already going through withdrawals.