If this were a real book, I would totally buy it. And then proudly display it in my office for all to see.
Anyway, as I was watching the Today show this morning, they mentioned that NBC is working on an American version of Downton Abbey, which will be called "The Gilded Age". NBC is working with Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes to create this period drama set to take place in New York (you can read more about it here).
I'm not sure how I feel about this quite yet. On the one hand, I love Downton Abbey. On the other hand, major networks tend to take ideas from successful shows, try to make them fresh with a new storyline, and often fail to do them justice. Although I have yet to watch it, I have heard that CBS's "Elementary", which took on BBC's {amazing} "Sherlock" is a prime example of this.
Even with my reservations, I can't help imagining what the show will be like and who will play the main characters. I'm imagining it to be like Gossip Girl, but with classier dialogue and clothes.
What do you think of an American Downton Abbey? Who would play the Americanized Dowager Countess of Grantham (aka Maggie Smith) if it were up to you?
I loooove Downton Abbey and am sad it doesn't air here earlier. It feels like forever between seasons, so I have repeatedly watched seasons 1 and 2 while waiting for 3. I"m feeling skeptical for an American version, just because I can't see all the bitiness (a real word) happening between Americans as well as they do at Downton. Plus, the feeling about money is inherently different! It would end up being a little more Gatsby, don't you think? And, if they want to go in that direction, instead of trying to be Downton, I might be ok with that.
ReplyDeleteI'm dying for season 3, and trying so hard not to look at teasers on the internet!
DeleteYes on the money thing. Money and class are so different in the US than in in Britain. I'm hoping they can pull off the 'bitiness', that's part of what makes it so great!
I think having Fellowes is a big plus for the American version put certainly no guarantee. I would love to see Glenn Close, Joan Allen and Dianne Wiest all be in it. I loved Glenn Close in Damages and would like to see her do period, Joan Allen is always good in everything that I have seen her do and Dianne Weist is so underrated. A young actress that I would love to see is Mary Catherine Garrison as a Southern married to a New Yorker.
ReplyDeleteYou have so many great idea on actors! This also reminds me that I need to watch Damages, I hear it is a good show!
DeleteI'm with you on the Meryl Streep in Devil Wears Prada, definitely need someone good at making snide comments!
ReplyDeleteI love this show. I'm pretty sure I'd be BFF with Sybil though. I enjoy her rebellious side and lets face it, I'd be the silly girl to give up being rich and comfortable to runaway with the chauffer :) I think an American version would suck. Besides, why do it? Too many people in America would prefer the original version better!
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ReplyDeleteDear Jess,
ReplyDeleteIn the meantime, you can continue to get your Downton Abbey fix from my blog, http://anamericandowntonabbey.blogspot.com/ not a word of which is fiction and is a continuing true story occurring right here in the United States. Take a look and let me know what you think.
Kind Regards,
Peter Adams