Thursday, April 21, 2011

British TV fans in the US were overjoyed this year when we found out that the wonderful TV series "Upstairs Downstairs" had been updated and was going to be shown on PBS's Masterpiece Classic.

Synopsis: One of the most beloved television series of all time is brought back to life in a sumptuous new production with a fresh new cast.  It's 1936 and six years since parlormaid Rose  (Jean Marsh, Sense & Sensibility) left 165 Eaton Place. Fate brings her back as housekeeper to its new owners, Sir Hallam  Holland (Ed Stoppard, The Pianist, Brideshead Revisited), his wife Lady Agnes (Keeley Hawes, MI-5, Ashes to Ashes), and his mother, Lady Maud Holland (Eileen Atkins, Cranford, Gosford Park). Rose soon finds she has her work cut out for her as she recruits a new “downstairs” family to help run the elegance and finery of the “upstairs” world. Both upstairs and downstairs, it soon becomes apparent there lies a labyrinth of secrets, lies and scandal.  Set against the historical backdrop of a pre-World War II Britain with a new King on the throne, with Fascism on the rise on the continent, and with sexual, social and political tensions at 165 Eaton Place, this new series provides an evocative take on the master-servant relationship. 

Available on DVD:       April 26th

Official Site URL:         http://www.bbcamericashop.com/

Anyone who was captivated by the original series, which ran for 5 seasons in the 1970s will be happy to be back among familiar surroundings.  Times are changing, but the social lines are still drawn.  The interactions between the members of staff and the upper-class people they serve prove that there is more going on than meets the eye.

Here is a clip from the new series:



Thanks to BBC, I have one copy of the new DVD series of Upstairs Downstairs to give away!  To enter, just leave a comment answering the following question:  if your finances would stretch far enough to allow you to hire one servant, which one would you hire and why?  I'd have to go for Cook.  Cook always seems to be a sort of no-nonsense person, and I'm sure she'd be able to whip up all the traditional English dishes!

Please remember to leave your email address in your comment if it's not visible in your profile.  The contest is only open to US Residents due to postal costs.  Leave your entry by May 1.  The winner will be drawn on May 2 and notified by email.  If I don't hear back from you within 3 days, a new winner will be chosen.

Good luck on winning this wonderful DVD!

Disclaimer:  I received a copy of Upstairs Downstairs to offer in this giveaway from BBC.  I was not compensated for this post.

37 comments:

Rick LaDuke said...

sounds like a great show I would like to view it more Please enter me in the contest
thanks

Rita M said...

I'm thinking a gardener would be nice.
califquail[at]hotmail[dot]com

Unknown said...

sounds naughty (and nice).

nickieisis3 said...

I loved the classic upstairs downstairs it was one of my Fav shows.

nickieisis3atgmaildotcom

crystal said...

Saw part of this on PBS but missed a few episodes. Would love to add to my collection
dnhclratyahoodotcom

Denise S. said...

I've always heard this was funny and I'd love to see it.
lazybones344 at gmail dot com

rewcath said...

a cook for sure would be who i'd hire that's a big daily task i'd love to delegate thanks for the chance to win

Anonymous said...

I would love a staff of housekeepers, and maybe a personal grocery shopper. I woulod love it!!

Mysharona said...

a maid, i hate cleaning.

1agordon at live.com

Judy McNeeley said...

I love it...please enter me!

jmcne45379@yahoo.com

laurag56 said...

I would have a maid and a gardener...and hopefully a pool for the pool boy!

Bebe said...

I'd love to have a lady's maid (or personal assistant), plus a gardener! Please enter me into the contest. Thanks! Bebe :)

clc408 said...

I would hire a house maid. I really dislike cleaning!

Nicole C. said...

This looks like a really good show.

choateorama(at)gmail(dot)com

Deborah Wellenstein said...

I would hire someone to clean my bathrooms-I'll do the rest of the house, but please, someone, clean my bathrooms!

dwellenstein at cox dot net

Bacallsmom said...

I'd hire someone from a housecleaning service to give my house a thorough, top-to-bottom cleaning.

bbentry [at] aol [dot] com

Jon said...

I would hire a maid. I hate cleaning and I would love to have someone do it for me.

Thanks for this offer! I'm completely bummed that I missed the second episode of this new series last weekend, though I plan to watch this coming Sunday's episode. :)

Cindy M said...

We just moved to a lovely home with 10 acres of land; a gardener would be wonderful, preferably someone who can grow food in a Zone 3 area.
writer61@yahoo.com

Laurie said...

I would hire a dishwasher and cook for sure

Tammigirl said...

A Maid. The kind who cooks, cleans, irons, does windows... does it all!

We bought the original series on dvd and have watched through it a few times. We love to start it and watch an episode a night. Snuggle in and enjoy it.

We would love to have the new one, too!

Anonymous said...

a cook so I wouldnt have to worry about whats for dinner
thank you
tatertot374@sbcglobal.net

Lily said...

I would also love to have a cook!
Lilyhoot at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

I would for sure hire a cook. I can barely boil water without getting frustrated!

Erica C. said...

I would want a maid...so I know things are always super clean.

Aisling said...

Definitely a cook who could whip up healthy or elegant or whatever the occasion called for. I'd love it. mcgillrmcgill(at)charter(dot)net

Melissa B. said...

I would get a maid because I hate to dust and do floors.

Dave said...

Cook for sure. I have been really enjoying this on PBS. Thank you for the chance to win.

Christy said...

A maid because I hate to clean.

knightcry at q.com

Anonymous said...

A laundryperson!

theyyyguy@yahoo.com

d schmidt said...

I would hire a Gardener because I detest mowing/weeding and am scared of bugs!

I am British as well,this programme makes me miss home a little bit less although I never watched the original. I did hear the BBC are making another news series of it though so that is good!

mummytotwoboys@yahoo.com

mail4rosey said...

I'm a terrible cook, so I'd opt for that one too.

msurosey@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

i'd hire a chaufer because i don't like driving the highway

jim.coyne2@verizon.net

Hotsnotty2 said...

I would pick maid, I hate cleaning! Thanks!

Hotsnotty2@hotmail.com

Charlene Kuser said...

If I had to hire one servant it would
be a cook.I love to eat others cooking better than my own.I can
clean way better than I can cook

CharlieGurl57@aol.com

Anonymous said...

The prettiest girl/woman.

flashlight13114 AT yahoo DOT com

Sand said...

I would love to hire a chef to cook low fat but tasty meals!

Drew said...

Love the idea of a cook, but I need a housekeeper more.

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