I watched Upstairs, Downstairs while suffering from "Downton Abbey withdrawal symptoms" and was pleasantly surprised. If they do do another series, and I personally think they should, what they can improve on is perhaps make the episodes longer-and a little slower too so that we have a tad more room to breathe- so that the characters and situations can be developed a little more.

That said, I saw potential. It is not as good as Downton Abbey- which was one of the better programmes airing last year- or the original Upstairs, Downstairs which was full of class and elegance and still one of my favourites, but actually this was one of the more pleasantly surprising(if not perfect) programmes over the Christmas break. While not among the best(Eric and Ernie), it wasn't among the worst(Whistle and I'll Come to You).

As it was with DA and the original US/DS, the production values are wonderful. I always love a series with beautiful scenery, skillful photography and wondrous costumes and US/DS had plenty of those. The music is also pleasant and very well composed if sometimes overdone, the dialogue in general is good and flows well with some both humorous and poignant moments, the stories are interesting(the 3rd episode had the most heart) and the characters are likable.

I think the acting is quite good. I personally don't have a problem with Jean Marsh, and while I am not a Keeley Hawes fan strictly speaking I thought she was good and fitted in with the period more than adequately. Ed Stoppard, Claire Foy, Anne Reid and especially Eileen Atkins were even better though, and while he could have done with more to do I quite liked Art Malik too.

All in all, it wasn't perfect, if they bring it back I think it has potential to grow and be better, but even with its flaws I quite liked it. If it comes back though, please can it more than 3 episodes? 8/10 Bethany Cox

The first season is exciting to watch - the characters, the costumes, the story, the humour, the pathos... it's great! However, season is a mess. Eileen Atkins refused to return because she didn't like the scripts for season 2, and she was right. The first couple of episodes are okay, but when the writers ran out of ideas they dredged up some non-sequitur throw-away stories that include a lesbian affair and a boxing match that have no overall impact on the story. The last two episodes are dark and depressing and rush towards an unsatisfying conclusion. My advice is watch season one as a movie in three parts and pretend season 2 was never made...

I was hesitant at first to watch the new Upstairs Downstairs, knowing that it would be impossible to equal the quality production that was the original series. However, with the paucity of decent shows at present (and the fact that Downton Abbey had finished for the time being) I decided to give it a try with as little prejudice as possible, determined not to make comparisons.

Impossible of course. Although this new series is entertaining TV, pretty on the eye, fast moving (not something all that necessary in a show such as this) and relatively well cast, it just is not in the league of its predecessor, or its current "competition" Downton Abbey.

I found it hard to relate to most of the characters, of which there are way too many for comfort. Although the production falls short of using modern language, it certainly has an unsuitable modern way of depicting an era where royalty was revered, where shortcomings were either hidden or not mentioned. Instead we get a "boots and all" depiction of a class of people who would have never related to their servants the way they are shown to do and of servants who would never have behaved the way we are led to believe they might have done. Maybe if all the drama had been stretched out over a long series it would have been believable, instead of being thrown at us will nilly, one thing after the other in each and every episode.

Taken only for entertainment value, this is a watchable soap opera set a century ago - but, as the quality production it is presented as, it falls down on the job.

Oh for Mr Hudson!

It was with much trepidation that I watched this series on BBC over the Christmas break, I was sure that it was going to be a major disappointment as a remake of the classic 1970s TV series. However I am glad to say that I was very wrong.

Rather than a remake, this is a continuation of the story of 165 Eaton Place in Belgravia, the scene of the original series.

Jean Marsh, who appeared in and co-created the original series, returns as Rose Buck, and helps the new tenants assemble a new retinue of housekeeping staff.

The new series is set in the late 1930s and to add to the trials and tribulations of the new servants, we see initial interest in British fascism and the ensuing riots, Jewish fugitives from Germany and evidence of aristocratic flirtations with Nazi Germany.

The three episodes were very poignant and involving and included much humour also. The entire cast were uniformly excellent and I can only hope that the episodes were successful enough to result in a full blown series.

Those that find fault in this program are either being too critical or stuck in the past. They want the original show, but that shows style was stuck in the TV world of 1974 and would not work today in 2010. The only reason I didn't give the new series a 10/10 was that Season 1 was only three episodes. I think the writers and producers were right to set the story in three settings (Upstairs, Downstairs, & the Events of the World both groups are effected by). I have learned more on England's pre-WW2 history from show than I did from the World @ War series. I won't give away any spoilers, but for those who haven't seen the whole series you will need some Kleenex for a scene involving Sir Hallam in the third episode, which caught me completely off-guard! For those who say 'Downton Abbey' is a better show is missing the point. They are BOTH great shows, but Downton Abbey takes place before WWI, like the original Upstairs /Downstairs series. This was 20 years before the new Upstairs/Downstairs and England after WWI mark the end of Edwardian English society and led to the changes seen in the new U/D series. Finally, I can't believe they are only going to give us 6 episodes for season #2 and not at least nine! Fortunately for those of us who LOVE the new series it has achieved great viewership rating and reviews so hopefully they will expand it in season three.

Just finished watching the Upstairs Downstairs reboot from 2010-12, which got mostly admiring reviews when it came out, some even comparing it favorably to the original series. I'd forgotten how weird and randomly plotted the second season is--the household at 165 Eaton Place gradually comes to include Sir Hallam Holland's mother's Sikh manservant (played by a heavily bearded Art Malik, so no problem there); the little daughter of a German Jewish refugee who collapses and dies shortly after getting triggered by the chauffeur's Union of British Fascists blackshirt getup (the daughter suffers from traumatic mutism for a couple of eps as well); Sir Hallam's long-lost sister, who has Down syndrome and has been tucked away in an asylum for most of her life; his mother's much younger half-sister (who was her father again?), a lesbian archeologist whose ex-lover writes a sexy novel that causes a terrible scandal; and Lady Holland sr's monkey, Solomon (looks to be a rhesus macaque), who outlives his mistress by a couple of episodes, for reasons that have nothing to do with the story as such (see below).

The Duke of Kent, a bisexual aesthete who really did exist, keeps us updated on the gathering storm in Europe, so no complaints there either. A Jewish-American millionaire (who made his fortune selling a product that sounds like Alka-Seltzer just in time for the repeal of Prohibition) conveniently opens a garment business in the East End so Lady Agnes (Keeley Hawes, always fabulous) can embarrass her husband, yet again, by posing for a sexy ad for nylons. Claire Foy, future ER II in The Crown, draws the short straw as Lady Persephone, Lady Agnes's younger sister, a Nazi sympathizer who prefers to live in Germany, like the RL Unity Mitford, and gets into all kinds of scrapes when she returns.

No surprise then that Dame Eileen Atkins, co-creator of the original series who played Lady Holland sr in S1 of the reboot, refused to have any part of S2. The cast is uniformly excellent, except possibly for Sir Hallam himself (Ed Stoppard, son of Tom), who's meant to be what the English call a bit of a stick and doesn't get much of a chance to stretch. (He spends most of the series fretting about Why England Slept and being mortified by the outré antics of his household.)

I'm not saying the show's not entertaining, just that the storyline's really herky-jerky and OTT. The writers seem to be straining to pander to current notions of diversity and inclusiveness, which, I'm guessing, may be the reason that Dame Eileen just wasn't into it. IIRC the show got clobbered in the ratings by a soapy competitor, Downton Abbey, and was canceled after the second season.

Rose is supposed to be six years older than she was at the end of the seventies series. Well... It isn't easy to make 35 years look like 6. But who cares. After all, Jean Marsh is the clip between the legend and it's sequel.

After downton abbey ended, i thought that someone should make a new show about those people afterwards. I didn't know that there was already a show about the new era.

It is no wonder why downton abbey was a huge success. this show has too few characters comparing to it but there are still plenty of dramas. downton abbey was more grandiose.

I haven't seen the original show, yet. I am guessing that it is even better.

This show was going a little too fast in season 1. Johnny looks cute, I am glad that he is back again in season 2. He could be a footman in downton abbey for sure.

What did those servants do during the world war 2? Maybe someday there will be another show.

I didn't see the original series so this isn't a comparison.

I found this series to be quite compelling, and keenly await the second, though not at all what I expected.

There was more consideration of personal stories relating to the horror of fascism in Europe than being a story about the running of an upper class household, but it was utterly compelling. I think that three episodes wasn't enough.

Eileen Atkins gave an authoritative role as the lady dowager, but wasn't permitted sufficient screen time to make the role as intriguing as it could have been. The same is true for her secretary, played by Art Malik. Two star performances that were unable to fulfil themselves properly. I hope that the second series addresses this.

Adrian Scarborough fitted the role of the butler, Mr Pritchard, with aplomb, and I'd like to see his other credited roles.

Like others, I find the score to be more than a little weak, and in addition to the truncated nature of the story being covered in a mere three episodes, and of course, the lack of Maggie Smith, was why this wasn't the success that Downton Abbey is.

Hopefully the four episode second series will provide a better score and more chance for characters to develop, because there's a lot here that's worth exploring. In the meantime, I'll be viewing the original Upstairs, Downstairs: I want more, perhaps not in such a rush to tell a long story in a short time.

I tread lightly when I anticipated this new series of Upstairs Downstairs. I was delighted that it was a continuation and not a remake. When I saw Rose walking down Belgrave Square towards Eaton Place I didn't tear up like I thought I would, but instead I was swept over by a warm tenderness. The great Jean Marsh (co-creator and whom played Rose in the original) was indeed perfect casting. All in all, it was a warm-hearted quality production. I just thought it could and should have been longer. It was like a cherry on top to the original. It completes a set, so to speak. The whole time I was expecting to hear ghostly voices from the past, but maybe that's just me.

The real problem with the three episodes that were aired and I viewed is the fact that there was uncertainty about whether there would actually be more than 3 episodes. This three episode alleged season had to be produced assuming that there would be more than just three episodes of this sequel to Up/Down. Hence, things were rushed, the show seemed incoherent much of the time, and there was some uncertainty about how to develop plot lines and characters. This might excuse some of the problems with the first 3 episodes. That being said, I thought the show was weak--it only came alive when K. Hawes was on the screen, a flaming firework in a cast of mostly duds. Ms. Hawes has charisma and subtlety-- e.g.,in a rather dull role as a pathologist in the first Murdoch Mystery series (she appeared in two of the three episodes in this truncated series), she played her part as it was written and her obvious sensuality was kept under wraps. Still, she performed admirably. In Up/D she shows great promise. The Indian character was forced, unrealistic and was undoubtedly part of the show for diversity's sake. This show has been compared to Downton Abby. I thought D. Abby was boring with a script that would trip up Olivier. The new Up/Down, if it continues (I understand that only six more episodes have been ordered--which is hardly reassuring)seems to me to show little promise. The first Up/Down is iconic and was on for many episodes and those who compare the new version to the old are being unfair. As it stands, I would suggest watching or re-watching The Duchess of Duke Street, The Pallisers, The House of Eliot and Bramwell for quality, period multi-episode shows. There are others of course. For the record, the first Upstairs Downstairs has always been overrated. I just finished watching three seasons and I was underwhelmed to the max.

This is a reboot/sequel to the popular '70s series "Upstairs, Downstairs." Like its predecessor, takes a closer look at the lives, work and passions of both the wealthy English nobility (upstairs) and their servants (downstairs) in a posh London home. Here, the family is Sir Hallam (Ed Stoppard) and Lady Agnes Holland, and it's set from 1936-1939 as World War II threatens. Season 1 is very short--only 3 episodes--but features a sparkling blend of humor, romance and tragedy. Agnes (played beautifully and sympathetically by Keeley Hawes, who masters both the funny and sad scenes) is struggling with fertility, Hallam is worried about the threat of the Nazis, the hunky chauffeur is dallying with both the British Union of Fascists and Agnes' wild, devious sister, Lady Persephone (Claire Foy, who looks gorgeous in '30s clothes, hair and makeup). Secrets are revealed among both the residents of upstairs and downstairs. There are brief appearances by real-life figures as well, including Edward VIII and his then-mistress Wallis Simpson, and his brother, George, Duke of Kent, who becomes a recurring character (played very sympathetically by Blake Ritson). We see that the upper classes can get away with a lot of misbehavior that would ruin the lives and careers of those in service.

Season 1 benefits greatly from the presence of Dame Eileen Atkins as Sir Hallam's mother, and I read that she opted out of Season 2 because she didn't like the quality of the scripts. She was wise to do so. Season 2, with twice as many episodes as Season 1, veers into soap opera as war approaches. There is far more tragedy and sadness in the characters' lives that deflates the ebullience of Season 1. The writers must have a fascination with Sir Oswald and Lady Diana Mosley (nee Mitford), and I was left wondering why they didn't write a biopic series about them instead.

Throughout, the best aspects of the series are the gorgeous costumes, set designs and music, the gleaming 1930s roadster cars, the wild 1930s champagne and martini soirees, and formal dinner parties with famous guests. But some of the storylines, even when loosely based on history, seem jumbled and hard to believe.

I understand the Duke of Kent was bisexual, and no doubt many women were, too, or lesbian, but I see little point in pandering to it, except to concede that the series is, in fact, slanted towards to a feminine audience. I think tho that largely underestimates its value, because, soap opera or not, Upstairs Downstairs is better conceived, better plotted, better written, better cast, better directed, better acted, better staged, better filmed, better everything, than Downton Abbey, the latter's four Emmys and 9.0 IMDb rating IMHO furnishing any additional proof needed. I see little point, tho, in regurgitating either world war, except, again, to pander to British pride and liberal sentiment.

Since the six episodes of "Season 2" have not yet aired in the US, some many not understand what I'm saying, or why, and I won't therefore enlighten them further, except to say I told you so.

I feel the tone is so inconsistent. Title music is lush but too many swings Inn mood. Was death of the monkey supposed to be funny? I laughed, but then it became so serious. They're also always throwing in the lesbian/gay scenes. The Golden Blaze would never have been displayed in the open in a display window in 1939 London. My gosh, Ulysses itself was banned in the UK until the 60's.

If you enjoy Belgravia& Downton Abbey then you will enjoy Upstairs Downstairs.

The 2010-2012 version of "Upstairs, Downstairs" is a revival of the beloved British drama, set in the same iconic house at 165 Eaton Place, but this time during the tumultuous years between the two World Wars. While attempting to capture the charm and essence of the original series, this adaptation introduces new characters and storylines, providing a fresh perspective on the interwoven lives of the upper-class Bellamy family and their dedicated servants. Despite its attempt to recreate the magic of the original, some viewers found the revival lacking the same depth and authenticity. However, the series still manages to offer an engaging portrayal of a bygone era, with its lavish costumes, elegant settings, and compelling performances from the cast. Ultimately, "Upstairs, Downstairs" (2010-2012) serves as a respectable homage to its predecessor, though it may not fully recapture its timeless appeal.