Downton Abbey: The Exhibition

Still suffering from withdrawal pangs after the demise of Downton Abbey? Well here's something to perk you up! Downton Abbey: The Exhibition is now open in New York City. Purchase your tickets at: www. downtonexhibition.com.

Get up close with your favorite characters, costumes, locations, and more in this one-of-a-kind interactive exhibit. There's also see never-before-seen show footage.

Imagine for yourself the bustle of Mrs. Patmore’s kitchen, the whispers in the servants quarters, the opulence of the family dining room, and the elegance of Lady Mary's bedroom as you walk through these most recognizable sets. Then, marvel at the beauty and detail of more than 50 of the show's official costumes! Based on the  television show, this exhibit transports you to post-Edwardian England, where the characters and the iconic house come to life. You’ll be immersed in the fascinating social history, culture, and some of the most memorable moments from the show’s six-season run.

This exhibit opened in Singapore last June and all the press releases mention it will travel to other places in the U.S. after NYC. Still no updates on where it will go on the tour. Make a comment below if you know.

Downton Abbey Dowager Countess's House for Sale

Downton Abbey fans, here's your chance to buy the Dowager Countess Lady Violet Crawley's Home. Byfleet Manor is now for sale.

The 17th century mansion has acted as a set on Downton Abbey for the past five years, and now that the series is coming to an end, current owner Julie Hutton has put Byfleet Manor on the market for $6.1 million. The Dowager Countess may have referred to her home as a "little cottage" on the show, but it's actually a stunning 6,000 square-feet, featuring eight bedrooms and about 19 acres of land in Surrey, England.

Read and see more photos of the House Here

 HT: Ann Abel, my scout for famous homes on the market

Downton Abbey: Field Trip?

Love Downton Abbey? Now you can stay there!

Highclere Castle, the fab British mansion that doubles as Downton in the long-running UK television series, is opening up rooms to paying guests. Bookings are now being taken for London Lodge, an historic gateway that forms a grand entrance to Highclere’s extensive grounds in the countryside west of London. Built around 1840, the “unique and luxurious” accommodation for two has, according to the estate, been restored over the past two years by the current Earl of Carnarvon and his wife. The rooms are split across the two buildings flanking the original gateway built in 1793.
The Lodge will be available Valentine's Day 2015 and selected weekends through the Spring and Summer.

Unfortunately there will be no servants, nor will any of the cast be on hand during your stay. Weekends start at $545 per night.

Can't stay for the weekend? Highclere Castle is open for tours (limited dates). Advanced bookings necessary. In addition, areas of the Castle and grounds can be booked for Weddings and Corporate Events.

Downton Abbey LIVE events: San Francisco & San Jose

Celebrate Downton Abbey in San Francisco and San Jose! 

Season 5 starts January 4. I've seen all the episodes, and they're wonderful. The acting is fabulous, the storylines riveting, and the costumes superb!

Join KQED and other Downton fans on Saturday, January 3 for an exclusive preview of the premiere episode of Downton Abbey Season 5. This year KQED will have four free screenings (2 in San Francisco and 2 in San Jose) of the one-hour premiere followed by a classic Maggie Smith film! Admission is free but space is limited and there's a waitlist. RSVP below for you and a guest. Phone reservations not accepted.

Saturday, January 3
1:00pm Downton Abbey Preview
2:45pm The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1969)
Maggie Smith won the Best Actress Oscar for her searing portrayal of a headstrong teacher ignoring the curriculum to spread an over romanticized world view to her 12 year old charges. Adapted from the novel by Muriel Spark and based on the play by Jay Presson Allen. Directed by Ronald Neame.
Castro Theatre, 429 Castro St, San Francisco
California Theatre, 345 S 1st St, San Jose

6:30pm Downton Abbey Preview
8:15pm The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2012)
Maggie Smith, Judi Dench, Tom Wilkinson, Bill Nighy, and Penelope Wilton move to a retirement home in India. All that's missing is Helen Mirren. Directed by John Madden.
Castro Theatre, 429 Castro St, San Francisco
California Theatre, 345 S 1st St, San Jose

Muppets Spoof of Downton Abbey

In case you missed it.. for all you Downton Abbey and Sesame Street Fans:

Downton Abbey Season 3 Mini-Trailer

Downton Abbey: Season 3 Mini-Trailer!

Masterpiece: Downton Abbey, Season 2

So many wonderful PBS shows on Masterpiece for 2012, starting Sunday night with Downton Abbey, Season 2. I was lucky enough to screen episodes 1-6 this past weekend. What a great way to greet the New Year, don't you think? Downton Abbey will air on your local PBS station, Sundays, starting January 8 and go through February 19.

I enjoyed Downton Abbey's first season, but I found the second season even better, if that's possible. O.K., Downton Abbey revisits many themes we've watched before: the Great War, Upstairs/downstairs relationships, the Spanish Flu, change. It's a soap opera, but such a beautiful and well written soap opera with terrific actors and great cinematography that I only lamented the end to the season. As I said, the acting is superb, the costumes fabulous, the cinematography outstanding. This is classic MASTERPIECE as well as Masterpiece Classic!

The second season of Downton Abbey starts several years after Series One ended. It's about love, intrigue and the trauma of war both in the trenches and back at the estate. And, change is definitely afoot. Add to that a bit of mystery, intrigue and romance. Several new characters fill out the cast with a new beau for Lady Mary and a fiance for Matthew. Below stairs Mr Bates continues his relationship with Anna and tries to deal with Mrs Bates, his wife. Thomas is off to war and much more. The Dowager Countess played by Maggie Smith is one of the best character in my opinion. She has so much to say on so many matters. Above and below stairs there's lots of intrigue. 

Returning cast includes Maggie Smith, Elizabeth McGovern, Hugh Bonneville, Dan Stevens, Michelle Dockery, Siobhan Finneran and many more. Downton Abbey, produced by Carnival Films and copproducted by MASTERPIECE, won 6 Emmys, including Outstanding Miniseries or Movies, plus awards for Supporting Actress Dame Maggie Smith, Writer Julian Fellowes and nominations for Direction, Cinematography, and Costumes.

If you weren't one of the thirteen million MASTERPIECE viewers who watched the first season, you can watch episodes online at PBS HERE. Be sure to tune in Sunday night for Downton Abbey or set your DVR or watch next week on PBS, streaming. Don't miss it!