Haiku Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 If I like British dramas such as North and South and Great Expectations, what else will I like? Please, not Downton Abbey. I gave up after they started killing everyone off. What else is out there for me? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freckles Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 I can't help you with the British Drama scene, but I am a lover of British mysteries! Happy Viewing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aiden Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 I hear good things about Call the Midwife, though I don't watch it. Pride & Prejudice (BBC version, miniseries) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Um_2_4 Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 BBC Wives & Daughters? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beth S Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 There was a recent thread about this, "quiet and slow" movies. http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/521618-i-want-to-watch-some-quiet-slow-movies-any-suggestions/ Here's a list of Top 30 Costume Dramas (ignore DA as #1. I agree with you.) http://enchantedserenityperiodfilms.blogspot.com/p/top-30-dramas.html Or the same blog's Top 150. http://enchantedserenityperiodfilms.blogspot.com/p/top-150.html Love Wives & Daughters, and Cranford (same author, E Gaskell, as North & South). Also think of your favorite British author (Dickens, Austen, Bronte, G Elliot) . . . and know that there is likely a movie adaption to go with it! Another good source is Masterpiece on PBS. There are almost too many to watch! But it's fun to try! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carrie-txmama2six Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 Little Dorrit, David Copperfield, and Bleak House are all great. Also, Larkrise to Candleford was cute. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy in TX Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 There are so many--I would check IMDB (Internet Movie Database). They list everything--theatrical releases, PBS, BBC, tv miniseries, etc. Search their database for the names of any classic British novels you can think of. That's what I do. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angie in VA Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 Set in modern times: Broadchurch. The actress who played Beth was amazing IMO. How about The Bletchley Circle? I think it's on Netflix. You also join the Diogenes social group. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
umsami Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 If you have Amazon Prime, check out London Hospital Also…Cranford was a favorite Pride and Prejudice with Colin Firth Call the Midwife Wives and Daughters I liked the first season of The Grand Mr. Selfridge and there was another Masterpiece Theater around the same time about a store at the turn of the 20th century, I need to Google the name. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angie in VA Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 1. I hear good things about Call the Midwife, though I don't watch it. 2. Pride & Prejudice (BBC version, miniseries) Ditto to #1 above. (I added the numbers.) As for #2, there is no other version. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrincessMommy Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 Let's see... Far from the Madding Crowd (the one with Nathaniel Parker) Our Mutual Friend (with Anna Friel & Timothy Spalding) The Way We Live Now (with David Suchet as the bad guy) Martin Chuzzlewit (1994 version) Most of these may be hard to find on Netflix or Amazon since they are more than 10yrs old, but if you can find them, they are wonderful. Do you only want period dramas from England? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 Set in modern times: Broadchurch. The actress who played Beth was amazing IMO. How about The Bletchley Circle? I think it's on Netflix. You also join the Diogenes social group. Those are both very good, but they're much darker and more disturbing than anything on Downton Abbey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrincessMommy Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 Set in modern times: Broadchurch. The actress who played Beth was amazing IMO. How about The Bletchley Circle? I think it's on Netflix. You also join the Diogenes social group. Broadchurch is a great movie/series... but it's pretty intense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 Call the Midwife The Paradise Lark Rise to Candleford Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angie in VA Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 Broadchurch is a great movie/series... but it's pretty intense. Yes it is, and due to the sad story line, which is revealed pretty soon into the series, I didn't think I would like it, but I did. After going through the entire season, I had to take a break from watching anything else. Did you know there will be a US version soon? It's called Gracepoint. I can't imagine liking Ellie or Beth as much as in this version. (YT link removed) I liked hearing David Tennant's American accent, but when he says "killer" (right at the 3:00 mark), I hear his Scottish accent! DH is not happy that it seems to be the same script, but I am sure they will change the killer. There are so many possibilities! And look, this says DT will return for season 2 of Broadchurch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Artichoke Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 How about the Duchess of Duke Street? It's not as dark as The Grand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angie in VA Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 Those are both very good, but they're much darker and more disturbing than anything on Downton Abbey. Ah, I haven't watched The Bletchley Circle. Maybe I shouldn't? We could try to get her hooked on Sherlock! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrincessMommy Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 Yes it is, and due to the sad story line, which is revealed pretty soon into the series, I didn't think I would like it, but I did. After going through the entire season, I had to take a break from watching anything else. Did you know there will be a US version soon? It's called Gracepoint. I can't imagine liking Ellie or Beth as much as in this version. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9IWvbbZPZc I liked hearing David Tennant's American accent, but when he says "killer" (right at the 3:00 mark), I hear his Scottish accent! DH is not happy that it seems to be the same script, but I am sure they will change the killer. There are so many possibilities! And look, this says DT will return for season 2 of Broadchurch. Yes, I heard...i was not amused. I probably wont' be watching. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shukriyya Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 I enjoyed 'Land Girls' and as has been mentioned 'Call the Midwife' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GinaPagnato Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 Call the Midwife Mr. Selfridge (though Jeremy Piven is a horrible actor, IMO--the rest are awesome!) Upstairs Downstairs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 Yes, I heard...i was not amused. I probably wont' be watching. Nope! Not watching. It mystifies me that they think we need an American remake. Why?!? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 Call the Midwife Mr. Selfridge (though Jeremy Piven is a horrible actor, IMO--the rest are awesome!) Upstairs Downstairs Mr Selfridge looks like my kind of show, but I couldn't get past Piven and quit after the pilot. Too bad he's not a minor character instead of the title role. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinder Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 If you like modern-ish (set in the 1960s) crime drama Endeavour is great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angie in VA Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 Nope! Not watching. It mystifies me that they think we need an American remake. Why?!? Thank you! But David Tennant is the only one who could tempt to watch it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greta Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 Please, not Downton Abbey. I gave up after they started killing everyone off. You lasted longer than I did! To me it felt more like a soap opera than a drama, so I gave up pretty quickly. I love all of the George Elliot inspired movies and mini-series that I've seen. The Bletchley Circle is very well done, but pretty disturbing. I wouldn't recommend it for everyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirty ethel rackham Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 I'm not as much into the dramas as the mysteries. We LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Sherlock. We really enjoyed Foyle's War (set during WWII and shortly after.) I like Wallender, but many find it too dark and bleak (gotta love Kenneth Branaugh and Tom Hiddleston.) These are available on Netflix and Amazon Prime. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happi duck Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 You lasted longer than I did! To me it felt more like a soap opera than a drama, so I gave up pretty quickly. I love all of the George Elliot inspired movies and mini-series that I've seen. The Bletchley Circle is very well done, but pretty disturbing. I wouldn't recommend it for everyone. It is a soap opera: a drama following a certain group of people! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happi duck Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 I think Jeremy Piven is incredible as Mr Selfridge!! I am stunned that he isn't liked in that role. A mystery series we've like is Vera. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 Some of the actors decided not to continue their contracts, they then suffered horrific deaths. I don't really blame the show for killing them off when they decided not to continue. It probably would have been easier if the actors had not quit after their characters were married. *L Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 Yes it is, and due to the sad story line, which is revealed pretty soon into the series, I didn't think I would like it, but I did. After going through the entire season, I had to take a break from watching anything else. Did you know there will be a US version soon? It's called Gracepoint. I can't imagine liking Ellie or Beth as much as in this version. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9IWvbbZPZc I liked hearing David Tennant's American accent, but when he says "killer" (right at the 3:00 mark), I hear his Scottish accent! DH is not happy that it seems to be the same script, but I am sure they will change the killer. There are so many possibilities! And look, this says DT will return for season 2 of Broadchurch. I don't get this at all. Why not just show Broadchurch? Why does it HAVE to be Americanized? I already watched Broachchurch and I thought it was excellent. I don't think I will be watching Gracepoint because I ALREADY WATCHED IT. How many possible audience members will be lost because they already watched the show? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoPlaceLikeHome Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 If you like dramas, I strongly recommend checking Korean dramas of all things :drool5: ! You can watch them free on this site: http://www.viki.com/# My favorites so far are The Master's Sun, Lie to Me, and the new Korean version of Fated to Love You, City Hall, and Scent of a Woman. I will caution you that some of them are maddening in their 1950's like portrayal of women but the ones above and many of the newer ones are not like that. I will also caution you that they are very addictive! You can also see these on Dramafever.com and youtube. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoPlaceLikeHome Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 So Ji Sub is one of my favorite actors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Florida. Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 I haven't seen London Hospital mentioned. I really enjoyed that one (I think I first read about it here on WTM). It's on Amazon; free if you're a Prime member. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angie in VA Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 I don't get this at all. Why not just show Broadchurch? Why does it HAVE to be Americanized? I already watched Broachchurch and I thought it was excellent. I don't think I will be watching Gracepoint because I ALREADY WATCHED IT. How many possible audience members will be lost because they already watched the show? Yep. This. DH refuses to watch it already. I still think they'll likely change who the murderer was, but then again..."they" must think we Americans are stupid and can't watch British shows. I mean, really, who here in the US likes Sherlock or Doctor Who. <insert sarcasm> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haiku Posted July 22, 2014 Author Share Posted July 22, 2014 Some of the actors decided not to continue their contracts, they then suffered horrific deaths. I don't really blame the show for killing them off when they decided not to continue. It probably would have been easier if the actors had not quit after their characters were married. *L If you're going to write a multi-season show, you have to be flexible and have some foresight that things may need to change up as actors come and go. IMO, killing off people who leave shows a lack of imagination, and it doesn't help you retain viewers. I know tons of people who quit Downton because of it. Thanks for all the suggestions! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greta Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 It is a soap opera: a drama following a certain group of people! Well, there's drama, and then there's melodrama. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sebastian (a lady) Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 If I like British dramas such as North and South and Great Expectations, what else will I like? Please, not Downton Abbey. I gave up after they started killing everyone off. What else is out there for me? Foyle's War (detective series set in WWII) The Paradise (similar to Mr. Selfridge, but without the annoying Mr. Selfridge) The Buccaneers (older miniseries of an Edith Wharton novel, available on Netflix) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 The Paradise (similar to Mr. Selfridge, but without the annoying Mr. Selfridge) It's too bad this one got canceled after the second season. I really enjoyed it while it lasted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 Well, there's drama, and then there's melodrama. :) That's part of its appeal. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 If you're going to write a multi-season show, you have to be flexible and have some foresight that things may need to change up as actors come and go. IMO, killing off people who leave shows a lack of imagination, and it doesn't help you retain viewers. I know tons of people who quit Downton because of it. Thanks for all the suggestions! If they hadn't killed off those actors then the actors playing their spouses would have also been out of a job. How would they explain Branson being there but not Sybil? How would they explain Mathew leaving in the middle of everything that was going on at the time, particularly when Dan Stevens said he was never never never never coming back? Sometimes one can explain things and sometimes one cannot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angie in VA Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 If you're going to write a multi-season show, you have to be flexible and have some foresight that things may need to change up as actors come and go. IMO, killing off people who leave shows a lack of imagination, and it doesn't help you retain viewers. I know tons of people who quit Downton because of it. Thanks for all the suggestions! Example: Henry Blake on M*A*S*H. (Warning: there's some language in that clip!) Sniff, sniff. ETA: I get it that it was a show about war, and death was - is - a fact of war. I just loved him. But M*A*S*H is neither a drama nor a British show. As you were. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura in CA Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 Call the Midwife Mr. Selfridge (though Jeremy Piven is a horrible actor, IMO--the rest are awesome!) Upstairs Downstairs Upstairs, Downstairs is amazing. I've watched it at least twice through (10+ years apart). Like Downton Abbey but far, far better (sorry! :) ). ETA: just went back & skimmed the other replies -- we LOVE Foyle, and Korean dramas! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haiku Posted July 22, 2014 Author Share Posted July 22, 2014 If they hadn't killed off those actors then the actors playing their spouses would have also been out of a job. How would they explain Branson being there but not Sybil? How would they explain Mathew leaving in the middle of everything that was going on at the time, particularly when Dan Stevens said he was never never never never coming back? Sometimes one can explain things and sometimes one cannot. Well, IMO, that's the difference between good storytelling and poor. A good, imaginative writer could pull it off. Of course, maybe they could have gotten away with killing Matthew if they hadn't already killed the others. You can't just keep killing people off. Then you're Walking Dead (a show I completely fail to see the point of, btw). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happi duck Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 Example: Henry Blake on M*A*S*H. (Warning: there's some language in that clip!) Sniff, sniff. ETA: I get it that it was a show about war, and death was - is - a fact of war. I just loved him. But M*A*S*H is neither a drama nor a British show. As you were. That always makes me cry!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirty ethel rackham Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 Well, IMO, that's the difference between good storytelling and poor. A good, imaginative writer could pull it off. Of course, maybe they could have gotten away with killing Matthew if they hadn't already killed the others. You can't just keep killing people off. Then you're Walking Dead (a show I completely fail to see the point of, btw). Maybe the Brits just like killing people off. :laugh: Look at MI-5 (spooks.) Not many of the characters survived the full series. Only a couple left the show in a non-violent way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kim in Appalachia Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 Yes it is, and due to the sad story line, which is revealed pretty soon into the series, I didn't think I would like it, but I did. After going through the entire season, I had to take a break from watching anything else. Did you know there will be a US version soon? It's called Gracepoint. I can't imagine liking Ellie or Beth as much as in this version. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9IWvbbZPZc I liked hearing David Tennant's American accent, but when he says "killer" (right at the 3:00 mark), I hear his Scottish accent! DH is not happy that it seems to be the same script, but I am sure they will change the killer. There are so many possibilities! And look, this says DT will return for season 2 of Broadchurch. NO!!!! That just looks wrong! The woman who played Beth was so incredible, as well as the detective. And Having DT play the same part but American?And then everyone else different? And will the killer be the same? I don't like it. It would be so hard to watch it all over again and comparing the performances, plus I can already tell they changed the filming. The camara work is different, the house and office looked big, like American TV big. The BBC version kept it so real. The camara work at the houses and beach made it seem so much more intense. Blah. But I can't wait till season 2 of Broadchurch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 Upstairs, Downstairs is amazing. I've watched it at least twice through (10+ years apart). Like Downton Abbey but far, far better (sorry! :) ). I watched a few episodes but couldn't get into it. That one is literally a soap opera. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angie in VA Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 NO!!!! That just looks wrong! The woman who played Beth was so incredible, as well as the detective. And Having DT play the same part but American?And then everyone else different? And will the killer be the same? I don't like it. It would be so hard to watch it all over again and comparing the performances, plus I can already tell they changed the filming. The camara work is different, the house and office looked big, like American TV big. The BBC version kept it so real. The camara work at the houses and beach made it seem so much more intense. Blah. But I can't wait till season 2 of Broadchurch. :iagree: It's been a very long time since an actress has impressed me. Jodie Whittaker (who played Beth) is a brilliant actor! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 :iagree: It's been a very long time since an actress has impressed me. Jodie Whittaker (who played Beth) is a brilliant actor! She was amazing in Broadchurch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 If you're going to write a multi-season show, you have to be flexible and have some foresight that things may need to change up as actors come and go. IMO, killing off people who leave shows a lack of imagination, and it doesn't help you retain viewers. I know tons of people who quit Downton because of it. AFAIK, there are only two characters who were killed off because the actors wanted to leave. Another main character was written off the show when she decided not to stay, and they didn't kill her. However, her story line allowed for her character to go without dying. I have no idea how they would have written Sybil and Matthew off any other way. I suppose they could have replaced them with different actors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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