I didn’t use to ever watch television but now I do. It all came about as I started cross-stitching again. I can say that about 5 of the seven nights a week, I end up watching at least an hour’s worth.
Most of what I watch comes from Netflix lately but I did branch out and get PBS and I’m so glad I did. One of the reasons is that I really wanted to see the movie Elizabeth is Missing.
The show is based on a book of the same name by Emma Healey. I had read the book some time ago and reviewed it on the blog. Find that review HERE. I really enjoyed the book and wanted to see the movie. I figured if it was a Masterpiece selection and I liked the book, it was bound to be good, and it was.
Here is what Masterpiece said about the show:
“Returning to television for the first time in nearly three decades, two-time Academy Award®–winner Glenda Jackson stars as a woman desperately trying to solve two mysteries as she declines ever deeper into dementia, in Elizabeth Is Missing, an adaptation of Emma Healey’s acclaimed novel.
Playing feisty grandmother Maud Horsham, who lives alone despite early-stage Alzheimer’s, Jackson is joined by Maggie Steed as Maud’s only friend, Elizabeth, who ominously goes missing, leading to one of the mysteries at the heart of the drama. Helen Behan plays Maud’s dutiful daughter, Helen, and Nell Williams is Maud’s doting granddaughter, Katy.”
Here is the trailer.
You can find the book HERE on Amazon.
GOOD NEWS!! I just discovered that you can watch the whole movie on Youtube. You can follow THIS LINK to watch. ENJOY!!
Being I got Masterpiece I started watching… All Creatures Great and Small. I’ve watched two episodes so far and they are rolling them out week by week and so far, I’m in love. They are based on the book series of the same title by James Herriot.
I love British shows. I time period shows so this one was a no-brainer that I would like it. I’ll be watching the rest of the episodes for sure.
Here is a little overview of the show:
“It’s 1937 and Glasgow is in the grip of depression. James Herriot, fresh out of veterinary college, moves to the magnificent Yorkshire Dales for work, and soon discovers that treating the animals is as much about treating their owners.”
On Netflix, I ended up watching Bridgerton.
When I originally thought to watch this, I was excited. It was a period piece that looked interesting. It’s not at all what I expected. I think when we think of period pieces of this time, we all think of propriety and Jane Austen. This is none of that. This is a soap opera. There are sex scenes. I almost quit watching after the first episode…but then was too lazy to find something else to watch so I watched another episode and well then, I ended up watching the whole season.
Here is the synopsis:
“During the Regency era in England, eight close-knit siblings of the powerful Bridgerton family attempt to find love.”
Here is the trailer…
The show is based on books by Julia Quinn. You can find them HERE on Amazon. There is a whole series of them which is kind of fun as that leads me to believe that there will be more seasons of Bridgerton. Although the first episode didn’t impress me, I got over it. I just had to readjust my thinking that this is a soap opera set in early England and not Jane Austen.
Also on Netflix, I watched Last Tango in Halifax. I have heard good things about this in the past but I’ve never watched it. It’s listed as a romantic comedy. I’m not typically a romantic comedy person but this show is so cute. I have to admit, it’s really more or less a soap opera with really good scenery.
The premise of it is so cute. Here’s the description:
“This romantic comedy involves Alan Buttershaw and Celia Dawson, two 70-something widowed people. After their respective grandsons put their profiles on a popular social-networking site, the two rediscover feelings for each other similar to the ones they had many decades earlier as teenagers. Their relationship is a celebration of the power of love at any age, but it comes with obstacles — namely their families. Alan’s daughter, Gillian, and Celia’s daughter, Caroline, are polar opposites and, while neither would ever think about getting in the way of her parent’s happiness, the situation is a bit disconcerting.“
Here is the trailer.
There are four seasons on Netflix. I heard there is a season five but I don’t think the USA can get that yet. If someone knows how to watch season five, please let me know. I’ll happily watch it.
I love Nichola Walker. I’ve watched her in River
and in Unforgotten.
She was great in all of them.
Last Tango in Halifax was the right amount of fluff plus the right amount of interest to make watching it while cross-stitching perfect.
That’s what I’ve been watching. I’ve enjoyed them all and sadly, I’m done with them all so I’m back to looking for something new. It’s the downfall of watching television.
Try reading James Herriot’s books, they are hilarious.
As a teenager, I read all of James Herriots books. They are great to read at bedtime….transporting you to another world!
I also get sad to reach the end of a good book or tv series. Did you ever watch Gilmore Girls? I enjoyed that and found myself laughing out loud many times.
I just finished The Return and have started “How the Light Gets In” which one of your blog readers recently recommended.
I love PBS and I too have been watching All Things Great and Small. Last Tango in Halifax was on PBS. Not sure if the last season has already aired or not. The last season was 2020 so hopefully Netflix will get it soon.
I don’t have Netflix. I have noticed somethings that used to be on PBS and even Netflix have been on Prime.
If you want a good series, have you seen “A Place to Call Home” it is an Australian program on the Acorn channel? It is excellent and taken from a true story.
Mary – if I’m not mistaken, Jo has watched that one a few years ago. I remember because I subscribed to Acorn to watch it after her recommendation. You are right! It’s a great series!
Loved Last Tango. I watched the latest season on PBS. Some time had gone by between it and the rest of the seasons. I was a little disappointed in the last one, but watched it just the same because I loved all the actors! We’ve watched the other series with Nichola too. This winter I watched the old version of All Creatures Great and Small. I loved those. I can’t remember if it’s a part of Amazon or Britbox.
Jo; if you like British detective shows, there is one on Amazon Prime ( if you have it). called NEW TRICKS.
Its about a group of retired deceives that solve cold cases. Very quirky and I loved the characters. I wish I could find another Midsommers Murders, we really loved watching that show.
Also, Death in Paradise is a cute dectivtive show, very light hearted. Love those British shows myself.
Nichols Walker was also in another PBS series called Bletchley Circle about the women who broke enemy code in one of the world wars. Excellent series.
I watched Bletchley Circle too and loved it. But the Actresses were Rachael Sterling, Julie Graham, Sophie Runddle And Anna Maxcwell Martin. There was a later one set in San Francisco. I don’t recall Nichola Walker being in any of them. I love Nichola and will watch anything she is in. As you can tell I love British TV also and can only tolerate US TV now.
Bridgerton has been renewed for another season as soon as they can film. Poldark is another period series on Amazon Prime. They are all within about 50 years of each other in time.
Virgin River on Netflix is good.
And I agree Death in Paradise is good. I’ve watched them all I think.
Also, Shakespeare and Hathaway, humorous detectives. It’s on PBS here. Maybe Acorn.
Enjoy!!!
I read all the James Herriot books growing up and I really enjoyed them. I also watched the original All Creatures Great and Small series on TV but I can’t recall if it was in the late 1980’s or early 1990’s. The original series was very good. I have not seen the Masterpiece version yet.
I second New Tricks and Midsomer Murders. There was a PBS show called Home Fires about Britain during the war years and a small community “keeping the home fires burning.” Of course, Call the Midwife (can’t remember if you’ve mentioned that) is excellent, too. The Vicar of Dibley is a fun series, and of course, the British Baking competition show (can’t recall the exact name).
Jo, have a look at Virgin River on Netflix, we enjoyed
I’m enjoying watching All Creatures Great and Small…loved all the books when I was younger and I still enjoy going back to re-read them. The account that had Elizabeth is Missing has been closed, so that option to watch it is not longer available.
I felt the same as you when I started watching Bridgerton, but by the 3rd episode I was hooked. I described it to my sister as Jane Austen meets Shades of Grey Lite. (Note: I have not read or watched any of the Shades of Grey books/movies and have no plans to.) I doubt that I’ll read the Bridgerton books…they look like Harlequin romance types. I like chick lit and romantic novels, just not the soap opera’ish types of romance novels.
Try Doctor Thorne on Amazon Prime. Screenplay and introduction are by Julian Fellowes (Downton Abbey). If you subscribe to PBS you can binge watch All Creatures Great and Small. All episodes are available. I also watched Season 5 of Last Tango in Halifax on PBS but it isn’t available anymore.
Oh we just loved River!! What a fabulous story… And we are watching All Creatures….which is so charming…
Hugs, Julierose
I’m watching Vanity Fair on Netflix now. A period piece that reminds me of a Jane Austin tale, I think you’d enjoy it!
Loved the original “All Creatures Great and Small”. We loved the series! Went on and read the books too. Both were great. Hope the new series lives up to it.