Hidden gem period drama ‘better than Upstairs Downstairs’ on ITV now

The ‘outstanding’ period drama comes from the original creator of Doctor Who and had been deemed an ‘unexpected treasure’ – now streaming for free on ITVX

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Viewers are comparing the little-known period drama to Upstairs Downstairs(Image: Granada Television/ITV)

Fans of exceptional period dramas such as ITV’s Upstairs Downstairs may have discovered a fresh series to devour, as audiences are only now unearthing a long-forgotten treasure.

The programme originally aired on ITV between April 1997 and April 1998, captivating viewers at the time, and enthusiasts of the genre are now rediscovering this frequently overlooked – and frankly neglected – classic.

Penned and conceived by celebrated Welsh screenwriter Russel T Davies, The Grand is a British period drama produced by Granada Television for the ITV network.

The programme was adapted into novel form by Catrin Collier in 1998, writing under the pseudonym Katherine Hardy. Set within a magnificent Manchester hotel during the 1920s, audiences can enjoy two “expertly crafted” series.

The first series comprises eight episodes while the second features 10, totalling 18 instalments – all scripted by Davies. The writer and television producer is perhaps most recognised for serving as the original showrunner and lead writer of the BBC’s phenomenally successful series Doctor Who from 2005 to 2010, and again in 2023.

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It’s the perfect series for period drama fans to binge-watch.(Image: Granada Television/ITV)

The Grand’s impressive ensemble includes Susan Hampshire, Julia St John, Tim Healy, Michael Siberry, Stephen Moyer and Mark McGann. The costume drama revolves around the lives and escapades of the Bannerman family, proprietors and operators of The Grand Hôtel, the staff living in the hotel’s basement quarters, and the guests who crossed its threshold.

It has been fittingly described as a “lavish drama set in 20s Manchester”, where “the lives of the guests and staff of a huge hotel are caught up in murder, mystery, money and illicit affairs.”, reports the Liverpool Echo.

The series’ official plot says: “At the end of the First World War, the Bannerman family reopened the Grand Hôtel after a long closure and costly renovation.”

Davies’ period drama masterfully examines society’s attitudes towards contentious topics such as abortion, prostitution, and homosexuality during the interwar and post-World War I era, with audiences suggesting it feels “almost modern”, despite its 1920s setting.

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The series is set in Manchester in the 1920s(Image: ITV)

The series has garnered widespread acclaim, with one IMDB user sharing: “The Grand – a grand series. This production is first class in all respects: storyline, acting, dress and settings, musical accompaniment, etc. Some very powerful drama is therein presented.

“If you like psychologically valid human relationship drama this should be of interest. I rank it in the top 10 percent of movies or series I have seen (many thousands).”

Praise for the show’s creator, Russel T Davies, is considerable, with one viewer writing: “The Grand, at its best, really is “grand”. Cliché-busting, surprising, and full of memorable characters and situations. Russell T Davies, that genius writer, is always good at catching the viewer out, and the show’s greatest successes are delivered by deft overturning of what we think is going to happen next.”

Another viewer praised Davies’ “expertly crafted” creation, saying: “A Show So Well Done, It Feels Like a More Modern Show. Davies was ahead of his time with the concept for this show, much of which seems more like something one would find on air now.

“This show has so much going on for viewers. Unlike many other period dramas, this one really keeps true to the time. The characters, the dress, the 1920s, it’s all so expertly crafted.”

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Viewers are just discovering this long-forgotten gem(Image: Granada Television/ITV)

Others have drawn comparisons to the beloved British period drama Upstairs Downstairs, with one viewer writing: “Upstairs Downstairs Meets Scandal. I binge watched the whole series sacrificing sleep to what happens next and highly recommend catching up for those who love well done British television.”

One viewer described it as “an unexpected treasure”, while another said they “found the show continued to hold my interest”, adding, “I like this better than Downton Abbey which I stopped watching.”

Another happy viewer added: “My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed The Grand. The writing, though smattered with some convenient dramatic plot devices, is terrific. The single best episode, when Clive goes home to see his father, is a masterpiece of writing. We highly recommend that you stick with it. You will be rewarded.”

Meanwhile, one IMDB user review said: “The Series does not pretend to paint a pretty picture. It promises “Secrets, Betrayal, Romance, Revenge and Danger. It delivers on each of these promises! The twenties were often seen as a wild and fun time, but they were a precursor for political disaster on a worldwide scale and I believe the series captured this well.”

The Grand is available to stream for free on ITVX.

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