'Incredible' period drama 'just like Downton Abbey' you can now stream

Daily Record

7 hours ago

The six-part period drama series from Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes, is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video UK now
Julian Fellowes seemingly can't stay away from the allure of period dramas. The mind behind Downton Abbey, Gosford Park, The English Game, and The Gilded Age now graces us with another historical series - Belgravia.
Belgravia unfurls in the 19th century and takes its initial bow at an event that is engraved in history - the Duchess of Richmond's ball of June 1815, a notable affair just days before the Battle of Waterloo. Centring on the intrigues of the Trenchard and Bellasis families, the show dives headfirst into familiar territory for devotees of period drama, complete with clandestine scandals, high-society relationships, and the intricate dance of class politics.
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Under John Alexander's direction and sprung from the imagination of Julian Fellowes, Belgravia is crafted from Julian's own 2016 novel of the same name and reunites the production crew that brought Downton Abbey to life, reports the Mirror US. Regarded by many as the undisputed monarch of the period piece, Julian's work inevitably draws comparisons to his giant success with Downtown Abbey.
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Sharing his thoughts with Town and Country, Julian said: "I think [Belgravia] it's darker than Downton. The servants are working people; they're doing their jobs because those are the jobs that were available. It's not sentimental. It's a sharper world."
The limited series initially debuted on ITV in the UK on March 15, 2020, followed by its release in the US on Epix on April 12, 2020. After its release, a sequel, titled Belgravia: The Next Chapter, was promptly commissioned and announced in September 2022, with Helen Edmundson on board as its writer and developer.
The show premiered on ITV in January 2024. A blend of new and returning faces comprised the cast of Belgravia, including Alice Eve, Ella Purnell, Tamsin Greig, Richard Goulding, Emily Reid, Tom Wilkinson, Harriet Walter, Philip Glenister, and Tara Fitzgerald.
Upon its release, reviews were rather mixed. One said: "Belgravia has all the touchstones of a bodice-ripper.
"Great romance and thrilling revenge. And the usual coterie of leaching and sneering in-laws." However, others expressed differing sentiments, such as this critic, who mentioned, "Though billed as a showcase for state-of-the-art costume drama, the six-part bonnet-fest feels more like a one-stop shop for all the worst excesses and boredoms of a genre that has outlived its usefulness."
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By contrast, another critic observed: "Belgravia is gorgeously appointed, it's romantic enough, it's grounded in the manners of a far more delicate time when everyone stood six-feet apart lest they bump hands." Additionally, a reviewer shared that while Belgravia veered off course, it remained captivating due to its intricate visuals: "Belgravia errs on the wrong side of that divide, but it is so well-appointed that it is never less than beautiful to watch, just like 'Downton'.
"For some, the finery will win out over refinement." Audience feedback leaned towards the positive, with one viewer writing: "Incredible show!
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"Nothing was obvious, it kept the audience in suspense until the very last minute. Loved the complexity of the characters, the authenticity of the costumes and overall atmosphere. Highly recommend!".
Another chimed in with: "Wonderful series! ! The storyline is gripping from the very first episode.
"There is no woke political ideology that spoils so many films and series these days. Brilliant, authentic acting and casting in the excellent period production.
"So many movies and series try and fail to promote female empowerment; however, Belgravia delivers this message superbly."