By Manda
If you're like me, you're one of the throngs of geeks who jumped up and cheered "YES!" at the uh, Most Anticipated Moment during the Downton Abbey Christmas special that aired on PBS a few weeks ago. You guys? From the first five minutes of the first episode of this show I WAS HOOKED. I freaking loved and looked forward to every single episode of Downton Abbey. I posted silly videos about it on my Facebook wall. I followed Lady Mary's Eyebrows and The Dowager Countess on Twitter, oh yes I did.
And then, after that last episode of season 2 ended I took to Google to find out when I could expect season 3 (or as they say in Britain ... series 3) to begin. To my shock and HORROR? The new episodes won't be aired in North America until February of 2013.
And then I died of a broken heart.
Over the last few weeks I find myself searching Netflix instant and Hulu Plus for a new show to fill the Downton Abbey-shaped hole in my heart. I tried watching this awful show. And a little of this one. BUT ALAS! Nothing can stand up to the Dowager Countess and her family! The acting! The scenery! The costumes! MATTHEW AND MARY!?
Needless to say I am in a state of brownie-fueled depression these days. What on EARTH am I going to watch in the year to come (other than rewatch Downton Abbey many, many times)? All of television has been ruined for me!!
I guess I'll have to read a book or something. LAME.
How are you dealing with the long wait for Downton Abbey to return? Are you as depressed as me or have you found a new show to fill the void? Have you taken up needlepoint to whittle away the hours? SOMEONE HELP ME!
{screen grab via janeaustinsworld.files.wordpress.com}
"Don't be defeatist dear. It's very middle class."
I feel your pain!! I've been reading back-articles from Slate's TV club on Downton Abbey, and I've taken to Netflix. Mr. Bates is in a mini-series called Middlemarch. I've also watched several other British period shows I'd rather not mention...I still miss Downton terribly.
Posted by: Mandalikescats | March 02, 2012 at 11:07 AM
They have the third series (I think) at Barnes and Noble :-). You're welcome.
Posted by: Ashley M. | March 02, 2012 at 11:18 AM
Can you believe I just heard of it a few weeks ago? John shied us the first episode. Please have it Qued up for Melody and me. I am hooked.
Posted by: Sally Loan | March 02, 2012 at 11:26 AM
Try Gosford Park (on Netflix) for your Dowager Countess fix. Maggie Smith is supurb as always (and it's the same writer).
Otherwise, it's on to Mad Men for me. Different time period, but great settings and costumes still.
Posted by: Lisa | March 02, 2012 at 11:33 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-WoF9jPHZo&feature=youtube_gdata_player
I.JUST.DIED.
Downton Rap.
You're Welcome!
Posted by: Lisa | March 02, 2012 at 11:38 AM
OMG Ashley are you serious??
I watched this show in its entirety in THREE DAYS. I ummm ... work and have two kids. And a husband. I was rather obsessed. I'm so glad I'm not alone in my grief.
If you have Starz, I recommend Spartacus. It's very bloody and violent but OH SO GOOD.
Posted by: Kristina | March 02, 2012 at 11:44 AM
"The Forsyte Saga" is on Netflix and is WONDERFUL and seems to be something the "Downton" crowd would like. (I'm waiting to finish "Mad Men" before starting it.)
Posted by: agirlandaboy | March 02, 2012 at 12:07 PM
Try "Upstairs, Downstairs" on Netflix.
Posted by: Brenna | March 02, 2012 at 12:13 PM
Also read 'Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey: The Lost Legacy of Highclere Castle' by The Countess of Carnarvon.
Posted by: Brenna | March 02, 2012 at 12:15 PM
I second the suggestion to watch Gosford Park. It was just a band aid for my obsession though. I have taken to goggle-ing random things like 'why was orange marmalade considered the proper breakfast spread?'. I have become ridiculous. I did come across this gem though - I found it fascinating and yet exhausting at the same time.
http://www.bartleby.com/95/25.html
Posted by: Valerie | March 02, 2012 at 12:32 PM
I also recommend Gosford Park. If you haven't already binged on the BBC Pride & Prejudice miniseries (and all of the other Jane Austen films) those might work too.
Posted by: Blythe | March 02, 2012 at 12:35 PM
I would recommend Sons of Anarchy to fill the void even though it's A VERY DIFFERENT PREMISE. You have to be able to stomach some violence, but it's so addicting, I can't even tell you. I can't remember being THIS addicted to a show since Veronica Mars. (Oh hey! Veronica Mars. That's another suggestion for you!)
Posted by: Jennie | March 02, 2012 at 12:42 PM
mmm after checking B&N, they only have 1 and 2 :-/
Posted by: Ashley M. | March 02, 2012 at 12:54 PM
Ok, this is going to be a weird suggestion because it's an older show and the quality isn't even close to Downton. However, it is such a fascinating story based on true events. It's called "Lillie" and it's on instant Netflix. The first episode is so weird but keep watching. I ended up completely obsessed!
Posted by: Becca | March 02, 2012 at 01:35 PM
Season three is only filming now, so there's no way it's at B&N, sadly. I wish they would air it here at the same time as they will in the UK... they'll get season three in September! JEALOUS. (And no, I haven't found a decent substitute to fill the void. sob.)
Posted by: natalie | March 02, 2012 at 05:08 PM
OMG - I thought I was only waiting until September! I'm crushed. Hubs and I have watched the first 2 episodes of Forsyte Saga and it's good, but it's no Downton. I'm starting to wonder if I'll ever find another show I like as much. My husband is british and some of our favorites (or favourites) are BBC shows. It's nothing like Downton, but Alan Partridge is a funny show and we also really Idiot Abroad. British humor is the best.
Posted by: Kelly P | March 03, 2012 at 03:56 PM
One more suggestion, if we're looking for historical dramas - The Tudors is great, and it's on Netflix instant.
Posted by: Kristina | March 03, 2012 at 11:08 PM
We LOVE Foyle's War. Check it out. Netflix
Posted by: Rosemary | March 04, 2012 at 03:42 PM
I LOVE Foyle's War! I love Rosemary!
Lizzie suggested I read the Swallowcliffe Hall books... they're super cheap for the Kindle. The first one is called Polly's story? SO MUCH like Downton Abbey. Polly would be the equivalent of Daisy the kitchen maid. The next book is told from someone else's point of view. Silly, but fills the gap for me!
Posted by: Maggie | March 06, 2012 at 08:36 PM
Here's my suggestion! Little Dorrit. Adaptation of the Dickens novel. SOOOOO good! Drama, love, intrigue. Right up there with Downton Abbey. Not on Netflix, but worth buying to avoid watching things like Grimm.
http://www.amazon.com/Episode-1/dp/B004X36GNK/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1331750985&sr=8-3
Posted by: Lauren | March 14, 2012 at 02:53 PM