Wonderful BBC period drama ‘better than Downton Abbey’ is ‘the very best of TV’
Not everyone believes that Downton Abbey is the greatest period drama ever made.
The BBC drama first aired in 1976 (Image: BBC)
Downton Abbey is one of the most popular period dramas to ever grace our screens, but not everyone agrees that it is the greatest ever made. Decades before its release, a series titled The Duchess of Duke Street was broadcast in 1976. Set in London between 1900 and 1925, it follows working-class woman Louisa Leyton Trotter (Gemma Jones) who rises from a servant to a renowned cook before becoming the owner of the upper-class Bentinck Hotel in St James’s.
After Louisa is forced into marriage with an older man, she leaves that life behind and works in London society households. When her culinary skills catches the attention of powerful aristocrats and wealthy patrons, Louisa rises through the ranks, allowing her to rise through the ranks and establish herself as a respected figure within high society.
Brought to life by the creator of Upstairs, Downstairs, the series explores Louisa’s determination to succeed in a world dominated by men and the rigid social expectations of Edwardian England.
Series one aired on BBC One in 1976 before a second instalment the following year. Gemma, 83, received widespread praise for her portrayal of Louisa, a role widely regarded as one of the standout performances of her early career.
The actress went on to star in Sense and Sensibility, Bridget Jones’s Diary, and three of the Harry Potter films.
When the series was discussed on X, one fan responded: “Fabulous show. She was amazing in this. So much better than Downton Abbey!”
Another echoed: “Wonderful series. I’m happy to notice an increase in vintage BBC drama on the channel in recent months and the Duchess of Duke Street is one of the very best from that era.”
Gemma Jones received widespread praise for her portrayal of Louisa Leyton Trotter (Image: BBC)
Taking to IMDb with their reviews, one said: “The very best of TV Drama. In this time of mostly dour TV mediocrity, it is a relief to be able to savor and enjoy the stupefyingly satisfying excellence that Duchess of Duke Street imparts. Truly a classic and a treasure, it has not dated a second and still packs a wallop both dramatically and historically. The cast boasts an amazing array of superb actors, all of whom best, with rare exception, any working TV actor today.
“Gemma Jones is so perfect that she is indelible in the part to anyone who watches. Her energy and conviction carry the show even when she has little to do in some of the episodes.”
Another echoed: “A Timeless Gem- Funny, Touching, and Real. Gemma Jones is simply brilliant and unforgettable in this series. It’s wonderful to stay with these characters through so many episodes, and the quality never flags. If you haven’t seen it, you’re in for a treat. In anyone else’s hand these stories might seem like melodrama – Gemma et al make every scene utterly convincing. Just a delightful run from start to finish.”
SOURCE: EXPRESS