I'm a bit apprehensive, I must admit. It's a nice idea to continue the story but the original was so wonderful that if this isn't up to par it'll look all the worse.
Also I think they've missed a trick not making the family a bit older and casting Simon Williams as the "master of the house", especially since Jean Marsh is there, it would be a nice throwback what with him being poor old James in the original!
Wasn't 'The Duchess of Duke street' the BBC's 'version' of 'Upstairs Downstairs' back in the 70's? I loved watching that as a kid.
Not really, they were set at a similar time in part (from c1906 to just after WW1 I think) but apart from that quite different.
"Duke Street" was based on a true story and was more about a woman trying to make her way in business at that time - something that was still uncommon.
Upstairs Downstairs was a wider an exploration of life at the the time for those of wealth and power and their servants.
Not really, they were set at a similar time in part (from c1906 to just after WW1 I think) but apart from that quite different.
"Duke Street" was based on a true story and wasmore about a woman trying to make her way in business at that time - something that was still uncommon.
Upstairs Downstairs was a wider an exploration of life at the the time for those of wealth and power and their servants.
They did come from the same production team and writers who went to the BBC after "Upstairs, Downstairs" was cancelled. I think they then moved on to "Thomas and Sarah" after that.
It's being filmed in Wales. What has BBC Wales got that make everything be made there. Why make a show set in London in Wales ? If they want to make more things around the country make a welsh , Northern or Scottish show not have London filmed somewhere else
It's being filmed in Wales. What has BBC Wales got that make everything be made there. Why make a show set in London in Wales ? If they want to make more things around the country make a welsh , Northern or Scottish show not have London filmed somewhere else
1. i guess its cheaper to film there
2. the locations in wales are probably more authentic to london 100 years ago.
3. its no doubt easier to close a street in wales to film than it would be in london.
Walking alone through the empty house (the family and staff had gone and the removal men had just finished their work) as various sound snippets from down the years are played. She walks through tjhe front door, closes it behind her and heads off down the street without looking back.
I often wondered what age some of the characters were meant to be.
It was mentioned last Saturday that James was 30 in 1912. Assuming his father was, say, 22 years older Richard would have been 70 when the series finished (1930). If Hudson was, say, 65 in 1930 (he wouldn't have been much older as, in that situation he'd have been able retire to the Southwold Estate at that point rather than go into business) this would make him about 40 when the series first started - and he'd have looked an old 40 - same with Mrs Bridges.
The most unbelievable one of all was Sir Geoffrey Dillon who must be 50 at the start but is still there in the end looking not a day older.
Let's put it down to poetic licence.
For me the Albert episode is one of my least favourite, thought it rather over acted.
I thought that was a lovely way to end the show. Quite poignant.
What Up/Down obviously had was hard to replicate, else it would have been done over years ago.
The actors were of a very high standard, especially the downstairs lot. And the multi-camera technique made it flow and increased realism, it seemed almost like you could walk into a scene.
I can't imagine the writers will have much freedom to make social comments in the new version.
Seeing as I'm already in love with Claire Foy I will be watching this, if only for her alone! :cool: She is moving up in the world, getting both this and a film, Season of the Witch, with Nicholas Cage! Great to see her talents being appreciated.
Tons and tons of potential here for Upstairs Downstairs. I just hope the scripts are decent.
Wonder how they'll film it. Studio sets don't seem to be used anymore. Also there stuck in the 1930's as upstairs ended in the 1920's. A show in the Edwardian era with upper class people seems to work much better
Interesting to see if there's enough of a class divide between up and downstairs in the 30s. The plus I assume is they have a diplomat and the rise of Hitler and appeasement will form part of the background.
Might have been more interesting to have pushed the series 30 years back towards Dickens rather than forward? But that would have been more difficult to make?
Interesting to see if there's enough of a class divide between up and downstairs in the 30s. The plus I assume is they have a diplomat and the rise of Hitler and appeasement will form part of the background.
Once I heard it was being set in 1936 I realised immediately that this was to plunge it into the run-up to WW2. Someone will probably run off to the Spanish Civil War too.
It's being filmed in Wales. What has BBC Wales got that make everything be made there. Why make a show set in London in Wales ? If they want to make more things around the country make a welsh , Northern or Scottish show not have London filmed somewhere else
It is curious. The Deep, a BBC Wales commission, was largely filmed in....Glasgow:eek:Perhaps there's no studio space left in Cardiff as Casualty is moving there soon and they're already doing Dr Who, Merlin and numerous other productions.
It is curious. The Deep, a BBC Wales commission, was largely filmed in....Glasgow:eek:Perhaps there's no studio space left in Cardiff as Casualty is moving there soon and they're already doing Dr Who, Merlin and numerous other productions.
They're all very mixed up. 55 Degrees North, set in Newcastle was a BBC Scotland commision and Judge John Deed, set in London was a BBC Northern Ireland commision.
Originally commisioned for only 3 episodes it seems the BBC have learnt from the mistake they made with Sherlock (also only 3 episodes) and Upstairs, Downstairs will have at least another 6 episodes made and as sets are being constructed its hoped that another series will be made next year.
Comments
Also I think they've missed a trick not making the family a bit older and casting Simon Williams as the "master of the house", especially since Jean Marsh is there, it would be a nice throwback what with him being poor old James in the original!
I know, I meant have him play a new character. Sorry for the confusion!
The emphasis in the article makes it sound like an 'Emanuelle' remake!:o
http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/showbiz/tv/3091821/Stars-on-set-of-all-new-Upstairs-Downstairs.html
G
Not really, they were set at a similar time in part (from c1906 to just after WW1 I think) but apart from that quite different.
"Duke Street" was based on a true story and was more about a woman trying to make her way in business at that time - something that was still uncommon.
Upstairs Downstairs was a wider an exploration of life at the the time for those of wealth and power and their servants.
They did come from the same production team and writers who went to the BBC after "Upstairs, Downstairs" was cancelled. I think they then moved on to "Thomas and Sarah" after that.
G
1. i guess its cheaper to film there
2. the locations in wales are probably more authentic to london 100 years ago.
3. its no doubt easier to close a street in wales to film than it would be in london.
I thought that was a lovely way to end the show. Quite poignant.
Not sure about a remake though.
The actors were of a very high standard, especially the downstairs lot. And the multi-camera technique made it flow and increased realism, it seemed almost like you could walk into a scene.
I can't imagine the writers will have much freedom to make social comments in the new version.
Tons and tons of potential here for Upstairs Downstairs. I just hope the scripts are decent.
Interesting to see if there's enough of a class divide between up and downstairs in the 30s. The plus I assume is they have a diplomat and the rise of Hitler and appeasement will form part of the background.
Might have been more interesting to have pushed the series 30 years back towards Dickens rather than forward? But that would have been more difficult to make?
Once I heard it was being set in 1936 I realised immediately that this was to plunge it into the run-up to WW2. Someone will probably run off to the Spanish Civil War too.
Any kids will be evacuated.
G
It is curious. The Deep, a BBC Wales commission, was largely filmed in....Glasgow:eek:Perhaps there's no studio space left in Cardiff as Casualty is moving there soon and they're already doing Dr Who, Merlin and numerous other productions.
They're all very mixed up. 55 Degrees North, set in Newcastle was a BBC Scotland commision and Judge John Deed, set in London was a BBC Northern Ireland commision.
Life On Mars was also BBC Wales I think.
G
If you handn't put a
http://www.lastbroadcast.co.uk/drama/previews/v/14425-upstairs-downstairs-2010-cast-revealed.html
I certainly noticed
http://theworldfromhere.blogspot.com/2010/08/downstairs-totty-nico-mirallegro.html
G
Adrian Scarborough.
G