Downton Abbey | The Cavalier Daily

The British are coming! Masterpiece Classic’s Downton Abbey, the Golden Globe-winning period drama, has captivated viewers in the U.K. and made its way onto U.S. television screens in a most welcome invasion. The show, now in its second season, centers around two groups coexisting in the titular estate: the aristocratic Crawley family, with the dignified patriarch Lord Grantham (Hugh Bonneville) at the helm; and the house staff, led by butler Charles Carson (Jim Carter).

Set in 1912, the first episode of the drama begins with the tragic sinking of the RMS Titanic. Lord Grantham’s closest male relative­ — and the heir of Downton Abbey — goes down with the ship. With three daughters and no male heir, Lord Grantham is forced to scour his family tree for an eligible relative. The man found is not an aristocrat, but rather a distant cousin and working-class lawyer named Matthew Crawley (Dan Stevens). This unexpected turn of events leads the Crawley family into a frantic attempt to welcome Matthew into the family, all while grappling with the notion that its fortune will be relinquished to a virtual stranger. Meanwhile, a group of suitors come through Downton in hopes of winning the affections of the eldest Crawley daughter, Mary (Michelle Dockery), whose sharp tongue, stubbornness and wit make her a prized — yet difficult — catch.

In response to the steady stream of visitors, the Downton staff is kept busy cooking, cleaning and preparing magnificent dinners for the Crawleys’ guests while simultaneously juggling its own drama. The frequent yet never dull dinner scenes are one of the most delightful parts of the Downton Abbey experience. The dinner table is a stage for the beautiful, early 20th-century costume gowns, scintillating conversation and tangible tension between characters. Impossible to overlook is the Dowager Countess of Grantham, played to perfection by the timeless Maggie Smith, who can deftly deliver a punch line with just one haughty look.

Downton Abbey is a beautiful show, and the cast is no exception. The Crawley daughters are stunning, but not in the made-up, botox-infused, artificial way most Hollywood actresses are these days. Instead, their high cheekbones, perfectly arched brows and striking eyes require little makeup at all. In addition, Matthew Crawley epitomizes every girl’s favorite heartthrob with his prince-charming good looks. The scenery matches the aesthetics of the cast; breathtaking panning shots of the sprawling estate reveal not only a stunning work of architecture, but also the source of the household’s magnificent reputation and the grandeur of the aristocracy.

Show creator Julian Fellowes has credited Downton’s success in part to its element of surprise. Unlike many other Masterpiece Classic series, it is not based on a novel, leaving room for Fellowes to sculpt drama, create characters and insert plot twists without boundaries. With this freedom comes a few downsides, however, as the plot sometimes takes on a taste of soap opera-esque impossibility which leaves critics and viewers alike skeptical. Still, fans of the show can agree that a little leg-pulling never hurt anyone. It’s the combination of all these elements — the wide shots of picturesque beauty, stellar acting and generally brilliant script writing — which make Downton Abbey such a success. And the characters’ posh British accents don’t hurt, either.

via cavalierdaily.com