A sneak peak at Season 2 of “Downton Abbey”

Oh I know you’ve been waiting for this.

Last year, millions of television viewers – including yours truly – got hooked on Downton Abbey, the British period drama that currently airs in America as part of PBS’s Masterpiece anthology series.  We got hooked on the machinations and intricacies of the world of Lord and Lady Grantham, as well as their three daughters, and the servants that cater to their every need.  Yeah, I realized that watching this was like watching Upstairs, Downstairs all over again, but this show does have a tremendous amount of style and energy all its own.  And although I really couldn’t voice it at first, Downton Abbey was actually better than the Upstairs, Downstairs three-part sequel that also aired as part of the Masterpiece series.

Now, after all eight episodes of Downton Abbey‘s second season have aired in the UK, we Americans get our first glimpse of what’s going on with the Granthams and the Crawleys and everybody else.  Season 2 takes us through The Great War and its effect on the estate; as well as the romantic relationship between Matthew Crawley and Lady Mary Grantham; as well as romantic encounters for Lady Mary’s sisters Edith and Sybil.  We also see how things have progressed between valet John Bates and parlourmaid Anna Smith; how Carson the Butler has done overseeing the house staff, etc., etc.  And don’t forget the Dowager Countess, for whom Dame Maggie Smith earned an Emmy Award as Best Supporting Actress in a Miniseries, one of six Emmy awards Downton Abbey snared.

You want to see a quick 30-second preview of Downton Abbey‘s new season?

Sure you do!

http://www-tc.pbs.org/video/media/swf/PBSPlayer.swf

Watch Downton Abbey Irresistible Preview on PBS. See more from Masterpiece.

As the trailer above stated, Downton Abbey will replay Season 1 in December, and then follow it up with new episodes in January.

Can’t wait.