PBS Masterpiece launches official site for Downton Abbey

For those in North America who wish to find out more about the upcoming second season, and have been unable to access the behind-the-scene videos on ITV (UK), be sure to check out PBS Masterpiece "Downton Abbey"!

Good news - Season 1 will be repeated in December 2011 in anticipation of Season 2 beginning Jan. 8, 2012. And Season 2 will be shown in its entirety!

SEASON ONE
Dec. 18 2011 - Episodes 1&2 (180 min)
Dec. 25, 2011 Episode 3 (90 min)
Jan. 1, 2012 Episode 4 (90 min)

SEASON TWO
Jan. 8, 2012 Episode 1 (120 min)
Jan. 15, 2012 Ep. 2 (60 min)
Jan. 22, 2012 Ep. 3 (60 min)
Jan. 29, 2012 Ep. 4 (60 min)
Feb. 5, 2012 Ep. 5 (60 min)
Feb. 12, 2012 Ep. 6 (120 min)
Feb .19, 2012 Ep. 7 (120 min)

Visit PBS for videos, photos, and extra features!

PBS Masterpiece Book & Film Club

PBS has just launched a great resource for fans of Masterpiece dramas and the books from which the adaptations are based.

From PBS' website:

You love to read and watch movies. Why not combine your passion for both with a Masterpiece Book & Film Club? Gather with friends — in a library, at home, in a café — to talk about books, films, costumes, actors, and more.

A Masterpiece Book & Film Club combines the appeal of a book club with the opportunity be a film critic. It's also a great way to get to know people in a new town or to meet like-minded people. Best of all, it's fun!

We have provided all the tools you need for your Book & Film Club, including guides with discussion questions, background info, activities, and even recipes. (If you're an educator, don't forget to check out over 30 Masterpiece Teacher's Guides.)

Visit PBS to find out more information about the following authors:

James Agee
Kingsley Amis
Jane Austen
Charlotte Bronte
Agatha Christie
Charles Dickens
Arthur Conan Doyle
George Eliot
Anne Frank
Elizabeth Gaskell
Thomas Hardy
James Hilton
Henning Mankell
Nancy Mitford
Boris Pasternak
Eleanor Porter
Philip Pullman
William Shakespeare
Bram Stoker
Anthony Trollope
Eudora Welty
Thornton Wilder

Reminder: Les Mis 25th anniversary concert this Sunday on PBS

LES MISÉRABLES 25TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT AT THE O2
will be seen in the U.S. for the first time
Sunday, March 6, 2011, 7:00-11:00 p.m. ET

on PBS (check local listings)

With more than 500 actors and musicians
including Alfie Boe, Jenny Galloway, Katie Hall, Nick Jonas,
Ramin Karimloo, Norm Lewis, Matt Lucas & Lea Salonga.

With appearances by previous Valjeans:
Simon Bowman, Colm Wilkinson and John Owen-Jones

Alfie Boe is phenomenal as Valjean!

More details at PBS
More info on LES MISERABLES

Photos: Dan Wooller, PBS

PBS: British Filming Locations for Period Dramas

From PBS:
"In 2011, MASTERPIECE on PBS celebrates a landmark 40 years of bringing the very best of British television drama to an American audience: 40 years of treasured tales, starring the royalty of British actors, filmed at some of Britain’s greatest stately homes and castles. And now, to mark this anniversary, the Great British Heritage Pass presents a special MASTERPIECE Magic of Britain tour: a journey bringing the screen to life, showcasing palaces, fortresses and hidden gems from some of your all-time favourites. "

MASTERPIECE 40TH Anniversary Sweepstakes
Win a trip to visit some of these film locations
(Sadly, contest only open to U.S. residents)

Take a virtual tour and find out additional details about some of the beautiful locations of the settings for many period dramas including the following films:

Castle Howard: The Buccaneers, 1995
Lacock: Cranford, Return to Cranford
Squerryes Court: Emma, 2010
Highclere Castle: Downton Abbey, 2011
Haddon Hall: Jane Eyre, 2006
Blenheim Palace: The Lost Prince, 2004
Stamford: Middlemarch, 1994
Bath: Persuasion, 2008

Visit website of PBS to find out more!

Photos: PBS

Zen (2011)

Here's an update on the Aurelio Zen series starring the dashing Rufus Sewell based on books by Michael Dibdin. Three 90-minute segments for BBCOne and to be aired on PBS in summer of 2011. Also features Ed Stoppard, Ben Miles and Callum Blue!

(shown on left: Rufus with co-star Caterina Murino)

From Leftbank Pictures:
Set in and around Rome, and based on the best-selling novels by the late Michael Dibdin, Rufus Sewell stars as the fictional Italian detective Aurelio Zen. Vendetta, Cabal & Ratking will feature many of the combined attractions of Italy and the Dibdin novels – thrilling investigations, fun, passion, warmth and beautiful people. Michael Dibdin lived in Italy for many years and had 11 Zen books published, which continue to entertain readers around the world. He died three years ago. His novels won many awards including the Crime Writers Association Gold Dagger for Ratking.

Written by Simon Burke, directed by John Alexander.

Video: Guardian
IMDb
Wikipedia

Ed Stoppard and Rufus Sewell at press tour for PBS

Rufus Sewell talks to TV.com about taking the lead in Zen,
and the similarities it shares with Wallander.
(11:30 minutes)

Photo: PBS

Downton Abbey on PBS - List of episodes!

You're invited to the North American premiere of Downton Abbey,
just in time to celebrate the 40th anniversary season of PBS Masterpiece!

Lord and Lady of the Manor (Hugh Bonneville and Elizabeth McGovern)
Photo: courtesy of PBS

Mark your calendars...

Episode 1
Sunday, January 9, 2011, 9 to 10:30pm

When the Titanic goes down, Lord Grantham loses his immediate heirs, and his daughter Mary loses her fiancé, throwing Downton Abbey and its servants into turmoil. The new heir turns out to be Matthew, a handsome lawyer with novel ideas about country life.

Episode 2
Sunday, January 16, 2011, 9 to 10:30pm

Mary entertains three suitors, including a Turkish diplomat whose boldness leads to a surprising event. Downstairs, the shocking former life of Carson, the butler, is unmasked, and Bates risks his health to remain valet.

Episode 3
Sunday, January 23, 2011, 9 to 10:30pm

Growing into his role as heir, Matthew brings out the bitter rivalry between sisters Mary and Edith. Servants Thomas and O’Brien scheme against Bates, while head housemaid Anna is increasingly attracted to him. Lady Violet’s winning streak in the flower show is threatened.

Episode 4
Sunday, January 30, 2011, 9 to 10:30pm

The heir crisis at Downton Abbey takes an unexpected turn. Meanwhile, rumours fly about Mary’s virtue. Her sister Sybil takes a risk in her secret political life.

Downton Abbey is a Carnival/MASTERPIECE Co-production,
written and created by Julian Fellowes.

Masterpiece Theatre: Creating the Past through Drama

Fans of PBS Masterpiece might enjoy hearing Executive Producer Rebecca Eaton discuss how historical dramas have shaped popular perceptions of past eras.

Presented by the Massachusetts Historical Society.

Video: 60 minutes