‘Best’ BBC drama series ‘in a long while’ with Downton Abbey star now streaming

Fans of Scottish-set programmes or simply a heartwarming comedy-drama shouldn't overlook this beloved BBC series that proved a triumph throughout the 2000s.

This follows others discovering a "masterpiece" period crime drama, a programme lauded as Netflix's "best", and a murder mystery favourite from a "master" writer.

Monarch of the Glen first graced our screens at the turn of the millennium and enchanted viewers with its charming comedy-drama. The BBC programme chronicles young restaurateur Archie MacDonald (portrayed by Alastair Mackenzie) as he attempted to inject new energy into his childhood home in the Scottish Highlands, reports the Manchester Evening News.

Archie returned to Scotland from the bustling London restaurant scene after discovering he'd inherited his ancestral Highland titles and estate, becoming the Laird of Glenbogle. He subsequently made the difficult choice to abandon his London existence and begin anew whilst managing the crumbling estate, alongside its substantial debts and dealing with Glenbogle's difficult staff.

Archie worked alongside his girlfriend Justine (Anna Wilson-Jones), and his choice to relocate to Scotland saw her moving with him. Throughout the programme, viewers keenly followed Archie's journey to determine whether he could ultimately transform the estate into a profitable venture, with numerous challenges emerging along the way.

The series has garnered widespread acclaim on IMDb, with one enthusiastic viewer awarding it 10/10 in a review headlined "Excellent series, quirky, charming". They remarked: "The writing is very consistently good, the characters appealing (their quirks and foibles make them even more so), and the scenery of the Scottish highlands is just lovely."

Another highly-rated review declared: "Amazing, makes you fall in love with Scotland and its people."

The viewer continued: "I love the values expressed through the show: honesty, faithfulness, character, faith, friendship, hard work, dependability, and above all forgiveness and reconciliation. I love how the themes are developed and I love the beautiful Scottish scenery."

In a third glowing review, one fan described Monarch of the Glen as a "great series" and summarised: "Overall I'd give it 10/10 though for the drama/acting and of course Scottish scenery."

Another admirer declared: "The series, "Monarch of the Glen" is the best that telly has had to offer in a very long while."

They added: "The scenery is just as much the star of the show yet it is not used as an excuse for slack plot standards. Indeed it is part and parcel of the plot."

Whilst the programme drew very loose inspiration from Sir Compton Mackenzie's Highland Novels, there was a notable temporal shift - the original books were situated in the 1930s and 1940s, whereas the BBC adaptation adopted a more modern setting.

However, the series takes its name from the inaugural book in the collection, The Monarch of the Glen, which is a nod to the renowned painting bearing the same title by Sir Edwin Henry Landseer.

Monarch of the Glen graced our screens for seven series in total, filmed against the stunning backdrops of locations such as the Cairngorms, Badenoch and Strathspey.

Ardverikie House, situated on the south-east bank of Loch Laggan, was the main filming location, doubling as the castle in the show.

The cast of Monarch of the Glen included not only Mackenzie and Wilson-Jones but also legendary actor Richard Briers of The Good Life fame, Emmy award-winning Susan Hampshire, Human Traffic's Lorraine Pilkington, Alexander Morton from Taggart, Dawn Steele of Holby City, fellow Holby City alumnus Hamish Clark, and Downton Abbey creator and actor Julian Fellowes.

In what remains his most significant acting role to date, Fellowes portrayed Lord Kilwillie in Monarch of the Glen, appearing in 24 episodes.

Fellowes' previous acting credits include roles in Aristocrats, Sharpe, Our Friends in the North, and Kavanagh QC.

Monarch of the Glen is streaming on BBC iPlayer now

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