Season 2 of Versailles has just started, and I found out that it has been renewed for a third series ! Filming will begin in a few weeks. On an added note,series star George Blagden who plays Louis XIV is a supporter of Diabetes UK, and cycled from London to Paris raising 5000 pounds for the charity. Good man !

Alexander Vlahos, Anna Brewster and George Blagden

George Blagden

John Bates is a British designer responsible for the Emma Peel look. Diana Rigg has said they were far more comfortable unlike her leather gear which were hot and constricting. I must say she looks happy in these !

Game Of Thron-esque drama of betrayal , corruption, revenge and much more ! Starring Samantha Morton and Lesley Manville as feuding brothel madams, and Jessica Brown-Findley as London's ''top girl". I'm loving it ! Currently airing on Hulu and ITV Encore.

Grantchester

The series 3 premiere is this Sunday April 23rd, love this show !

I Miss Downton !

Is it too soon to watch it from the beginning ? Absolutely not !! With the lack of  decent programs on my side of the pond, it will be a pleasure to view this again and again ! This is one show I will never tire of. I hope the British keep producing quality programs such as this for many years to come.

Britain's Blonde Bombshell

That would be Diana Dors, England's answer to Marilyn Monroe. When she tired of the dumb blonde routine she lobbied for more serious roles, and got her chance in Yield To The Night, loosely based on the story of Ruth Ellis the last woman to be hanged in the U.K. It is a great performance that shows another side to her image. There is also a biopic of her life aptly titled The Blonde Bombshell starring Keely Hawes and Amanda Redman. Hawes portrays her early success, and Redman her later years until her untimely passing in 1984.  A true British legend.

I love Maggie Smith's response to Graham Norton's last question ! 

 Best news of the day !!

Six Degrees Of .....
Keeley Hawes is married to Matthew Macfadyen who starred along side Claire Foy in Little Dorrit, her husband Stephen Campbell Moore was in The Bank Job with Hattie Morahan, whose husband Blake Ritson appeared in Upstairs Downstairs with Keeley Hawes .... full circle !

We Are Not Amused !

A quote from Dan Stevens. Since leaving Downton Abbey a lot has been happening in his career. Too bad no one can name anything of significance that he's done since Downton !

Tim Pigott-Smith 1946-2017

The star of stage, screen and television is perhaps best known for his Bafta winning role in The Jewel In The Crown.  And a wide range of roles in shows such as Foyle's War, Miranda, and a memorable appearance in an episode of Downton Abbey. One of his final roles is in the currently airing Decline And Fall. He will be missed.

The Importance Of Being Earnest is a favorite, and the 1952 film version is a delight from beginning to end. I would love to see the 2015 stage play that was filmed for theatrical release !

A friend asked me how many films did I have with LONDON in the title. That was easy, I didn't even have to look !

Engrenages  ( Spiral on BBC ) is a French police procedural . It may be the best police investigation series ever, it's that good. The level of talent shown by everyone connected to it is astonishing. Once again, my co-worker said I would like it. Five seasons later and I can't wait for the sixth ! She is never wrong !

Mapp & Lucia v Mapp & Lucia. I couldn't get into the 1985 series.( despite being a fan of Geraldine McEwan)  But I was very amused by the 2014 remake which consisted of three hour long episodes. No offense to fans of the original, but I choose the latter.

Prunella Scales and Geraldine McEwan

Anna Chancellor and Miranda Richardson

Alastair Sim is considered to be one of the finest actors in British film and theater. His Scrooge is the only one worth seeing, in my opinion. An actor who could go back and forth between serious drama and screwball comedy with ease. One of my favorites.

As Scrooge in A Christmas Carol

As Millicent Fritton in The Belles Of St. Trinian's

I'll be off to purchase it before the week is out ! A masterpiece of film making.

 Great performances by Vanessa Redgrave and David Hemmings.

Katherine Kelly ... in anything ! I think she is one of  the most versatile actors working today. From her days on Corrie and Mr. Selfridge to her latest role in the Doctor Who spinoff Class. A pleasure to watch !

Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary Crawley in Downton Abbey. And, as Letty in TNT"s Good Behavior. A very smart move on her part to do a complete 180 and it works. I hope the next round of awards has her in the running. This is not a show for everyone, but I loved it, Michelle was brilliant !

Brian Duffy 1933 -2010 was one of the most prolific photographers in the 60's and 70's. He, along with David Bailey and Terence Donovan were known as The Black Trinity, changing the look and face of conventional photography forever. Joanna Lumley, a Duffy favorite is quoted as saying " Working with Duffy? Scary ! But, he was the business." You can watch Duffy: The Man Who Shot The Sixties on YouTube. A fascinating look at the man and his work.

Nostalgic Memories. Hanwell in West London where my mother was born and raised. A place that has wonderful memories, past and present. We have no relatives left in the area now, but it is no less a magical place to be. The link to the town's history is on the left at the bottom.

Hanwell

When I am between shows, I go into my collection and choose something to look at again. Chatsworth.  BBC produced this series a few years ago, and filming took place over a year. From the opening to the public, day to day workings, and ending with the unveiling of the restoration of this treasure, which has remained in the Cavendish family for 16 generations.

Less the two weeks to go for the second season premiere of The Durrells. I would have uploaded the trailer but ITV has not made it available in this country ?! Excuse me ITV, are we not part of the Commonwealth ? First Home Fires, then The Halcyon .. now this !

I'm currently engrossed in the forth series of Line Of Duty, a solid police drama written and created by Jed Mercurio. And, as with the previous three series this is one show that keeps getting better. Absolutely brilliant ! A shout out to my co-worker who brought this show to my attention ... Thank You Mrs. B !!

I have to admit I had mixed feelings about this one. So I was very surprised by this adaption of Waugh's classic novel. The cast did a wonderful job bringing his characters to life. (and what characters they are !!) Looking forward to the next episodes.

The cast of Decline And Fall

Another DVD I picked up at the British Isles Show. Sheridan Smith gives a Bafta nominated performance in the title role, and she does her own singing. Spot On !

Bottled water for the Queen ! Jenna Coleman being helped on to the set for filming of the second season of Victoria. Something to look forward to this fall. I recently found out Dame Diana Rigg has joined the cast for this series, will she be the Duchess of Peel ? (that would work for me !) It will consist of eight episodes plus a two hour Christmas special !

No one does a period piece better then Romola Garai, she has a look that transcends time. She is one of my favorite actresses for that reason.

The Crimson Petal & The White

Glorious 39

with Lindsey Duncan And Michael Gambon in Churchill's Secret