Masterpiece period drama hailed better than Downton Abbey 'without question'
One ITV costume drama is an all-time classic, but some would say Downton stole its crown.
Some things just can't be beat. A classic period drama, one that popularised the genre worldwide, is still pointed to as one of the best to ever do it. Period drama devotees will know the show in question — Upstairs, Downstairs.
The saga followed the turbulent lives of the aristocratic Bellamy family and their servants in the early 1900s. Stretching the three decades, the show's events span both World Wars and the roaring 20s through to the Great Depression. As the definitive period dramas of their time, the comparisons between Upstairs, Downstairs and Downton Abbey draw themselves.
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The BAFTA-award winning show from ITV set the standard of costume dramas with storylines that parallel its heir apparent. Upstairs, Downstairs debuted in 1971 and ran for five years, preceding Downton Abbey by a good 50 years.
Both shows depict the personal troubles of an aristocratic family and their servants against a background of social and political change on an overlapping timeline.
They differ in many ways, however. The production value of Downton Abbey marks one major difference. The seventies programme is less polished, a quality that can be nostalgic or a dealbreaker depending on who you ask.
Downton's setting is inherently grander. The Bellamy family occupy a London townhouse, a far cry from the Crawley family's opulent country estate that was a character unto itself.
And whilst Downton's visuals were a triumph, a common complaint from viewers is that the show veered into melodrama. Upstairs, Downstairs has drawn comparisons to a stage play for its more grounded visuals and storylines.
Viewers of both costume dramas weighed in on their favourite. One person kicked off a discussion on Reddit, saying: "If you have seen both shows, which show do you think is better?"
"Upstairs Downstairs without question," answered one person decisively. Another echoed: "I like Downton Abbey better, but Upstairs, Downstairs is the better show."
"I have tried watching the Upstairs/Downstairs remake multiple times and I always end stopping after about two episodes," wrote a third. "It just doesn’t grab me like Downton."
Upstairs, Downstairs is available to watch on ITVX.
