Now that Upstairs Downstairs has finished, PBS moves on with its programming to South Riding. South Riding is about a fiery young headmistress Sarah Burton who brings her modern ideas to the conservative girls' school in depression-era Yorkshire, sparking conflict — and attraction — with Robert Carne, a stubborn, brooding landowner mired in a troubled past. Sarah inspires her girls to think for themselves, trying to craft a bright future for Lydia Holly, a gifted scholarship student from the squalid slums. Outside of school, she finds an ally in Joe Astell, an advocate of progress and of Sarah. But nothing is so simple in the South Riding, where corruption can taint the greater good and passion can subvert political ideals.

Against a sweeping northern landscape of windy, surf-battered cliffs, South Riding presents a community on the cusp of modernization. Some inhabitants struggle to overcome the past, some cling to it, and some, filled with hope, aspire to usher the future in. Adapted by Andrew Davies (Bleak House, Little Dorrit), starring Anna Maxwell Martin (Bleak House) and David Morrissey (Sense & Sensibility). Penelope Wilton (Downton Abbey/Wives and Daughters) and Peter Firth (Spooks or MI-5) will also star.

This series is an adaptation of a book by Winifred Holtby, after we watch this series we can read the book and debate the merits of each one.

It is a 3 part series and will air on PBS May 1st, 8th, and 15th. Check out Masterpiece's website for a preview.

British Television is worth the wait!

For most British Television series Americans must wait for ages for them to be broadcast in the U.S. and then we are just lucky to have them broadcast at all. In the case of one of my most favorite series, Spooks as it is called in England, MI-5 in the U.S.A, three stations have broadcast it but not on a continuous basis. The problem being that they don't have set requirements for time like the U.S. does. The first two stations that did chopped up the 59 minutes to fit into 45 minute time periods.

It is now on Instant Viewing from Netflix (which is such a brilliant device.) Series 1-3 stars Matthew Macfadyen (Pride and Prejudice, Little Dorrit), series 3-7 stars Rupert Penry-Jones (Persuasion), and series 7-9 stars Richard Armitage (North and South). It also stars Peter Firth (upcoming South Riding) and Keely Hawes (Upstairs Downstairs) It is set in modern day England revolving around the spy agency in England, MI-5. If you love spies and British accents as much as I do, I highly recommend. However, please be aware that there will be deaths, (its about spies). Don't watch if you are wanting a light hearted comedy.

I am personally excited that series 9 is finally on Netflix because I have been wanting to watch it for ages. Those of you who are interested start on series 1 because it all meshes together. Enjoy.

Upstairs Downstairs

Starting this Sunday, PBS will begin airing a series called Upstairs Downstairs. It looks like it should be good. Here is the summary.

"When the master of 165 Eaton Street, Sir Hallam Holland, carries his wife across the threshold of their new home, Lady Agnes exclaims with pleasure, "What a ghastly old mausoleum!" Neglect has strewn cobwebs everywhere and furred the surfaces with dust. But with a sumptuous renovation and the help of the indomitable housekeeper Rose Buck (Jean Marsh), the iconic address so beloved in the original series Upstairs Downstairs is soon restored to its former glory.

It's 1936, a tumultuous time in Britain, and within the walls of 165 Eaton Place, characters from an orphanage, a damp Welsh castle, the heart of the British Raj and elsewhere together will face a changing world, not just upstairs and downstairs, but side by side."

The cast looks amazing with its showcase of stars from former classics like Cranford, Wives and Daughers and Little Dorrit.

There was an original series shown back in the 70's. Not having seen the series, I am hoping that won't be a problem. The series is also competing against the wonderful (and recently shown) Downtown Abbey. Like Downton Abbey, the show has been recommissioned for a second series. Downton Abbey left us with a cliffhanger and yearning for more, here's hoping Upstairs Downstairs leaves us with the same feeling (even though we currently despise Downton Abbey for leaving us, we are all excited for it to return.)

You can view a preview for it on PBS under Masterpiece theater. :)

Jane Eyre Showdown

What is your opinion of the most recent version of Jane Eyre? Did you find the 2006 Masterpiece Theatre version more agreeable than the 2011 version?

Welcome to SPEBL!!

SPEBL (The Society for the Promotion of Elegant British Literature) is a society that was designed by four elegant (American) ladies who have a deep (and some would call obsessive) love for all things British.

Our society had its first meeting on March 19, 2011; this meeting was so successful that we were able to indoctrinate one young tween enough to make her want to be the newest member of our society.

The purpose of this society is to spread the word to all Americans, men and women alike, who are currently ignorant of the joys great British literature can bring into one's life. Our desire is to create a nationwide love for Austen, Gaskell, Bronte, and many others. We now invite you to join in our celebration of classic British literature!