Yes, you heard it right. There are two versions of your favourite drama ‘Downton Abbey’. Keep reading to know more.
‘Downton Abbey’, the award-winning series by Julian Fellowes, spanned 12 years of gripping suspense, based on the great English estate on the cusp of a disappearing way of life. The series followed the Granthams through sweeping change, scandals, love, ambition, heartbreak, and hope, with their family of servants. ‘Downton Abbey’, an absorbing, formulaic period drama set in the early decades of the 20th century, shocked even its creators by becoming a big hit in both Britain and America, probably becoming the most popular show in PBS’s Masterpiece series in its 40-year history.
Highlights —
- More than one version of ‘Downton Abbey’?
- ‘Downton Abbey’ British or American?
- American version of ‘Downton Abbey’
All six seasons of ‘Downton Abbey’ broadcasted at Masterpiece on PBS from 2011 to 2020. Among many others, the stellar cast group included Maggie Smith, Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, Michelle Dockery, Laura Carmichael, Brendan Coyle, Joanne Froggatt, Brendan Coyle, Allen Leech, Sophie McShera, Lesley Nichol, Jim Carter, Phyllis Logan, Rob James-Collier, and Kevin Doyle.
More than one version of ‘Downton Abbey’?
Yes, you heard it right. There are two versions of ‘Downton Abbey’. An American version and a British version. Ever since the brilliant show of ‘Downton Abbey’ premiered in the UK in 2010, on PBS’ Masterpiece series has been at an all-time high.
Recent UK reports have suggested that the ‘Downton Abbey’ broadcast in the UK is not what we’re going to see on PBS in the US. The period drama was allegedly reduced from its original eight hours to a shorter, manageable length of six hours. Some feel that it has to do with Americans who don’t understand the heritage storyline throughout.
‘Downton Abbey’ British or American?
‘Downton Abbey’ is originally British. A British historical drama series produced in the early twentieth century and co-written by Julian Fellowes. The series first aired on ITV in the United Kingdom on 26 September 2010 and on PBS in the United States, which supported the production of the series as part of its Masterpiece Classic anthology.
Set in the fictional Yorkshire country estate of ‘Downton Abbey’ between 1912 and 1926, the series depicts the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family and their domestic servants in the post-Edwardian era — with the great events of the time having an impact on their lives and on the British social hierarchy.
Events featured throughout the series include news of the sinking of the Titanic in the first series, the outbreak of the First World War, the Spanish flu pandemic, and the Marconi scandal in the second series, the Irish War of Independence leading to the formation of the Irish Free State in the third series, the Teapot Dome scandal in the fourth series, the British general election of 1923 and the Beer Hall Putsch in the fifth round. The sixth and final series presents the rise of the working class during the interwar period and hints at the eventual decline of the British aristocracy.
American version of ‘Downton Abbey’
The American version of ‘Downton Abbey’ is called ‘The Gilded Age.’
“A window of time in American society so prosperous, so full of business and industry success that the country has never seen anything like it before or since. A gorgeous new series on HBO by Julian Fellowes”
The creator of ‘Downton Abbey’ said.
When you think about it, the series, an American ‘Downton Abbey’, focuses on the rise and fall of a wealthy, dynastic family, centres around the relationship between key family members, and uses a beautiful, stately home as its key location. It is seen that the American version of ‘Downton Abbey’ has been cut down by two hours from its original version and works with the same cast as the UK version.
“To write ‘The Gilded Age’is the fulfilment of a personal dream”,
Fellowes has said in a statement.
“I have been fascinated by this period of American history for many years and now NBC has given me the chance to bring it to a modern audience. I could not be more excited and thrilled. The truth is, America is a wonderful country with a rich and varied history, and nothing could give me more pleasure than [to] be the person to bring that compelling history to the screen.”
Your favourite ‘Downton Abbey’ is ready to stream on Amazon Prime. So go ahead and witness the royal treat.
