Upstairs, Downstairs redux

I'm anticipating — with a fair amount of trepidation — the upcoming sequel to my favorite television series of all time, "Upstairs, Downstairs." I adored Hazel Bellamy (Meg Wynn Owen), the middle class secretary who married the son and heir of the house. We all thought she should have married James' father; he was a better match and would have been a much better partner. In my eyes, no other character over the years of the show — except parlormaid Rose Buck from downstairs (series co-creator Jean Marsh) — could hold a candle to Hazel, with her crown of gorgeous red hair, delicious wardrobe and sensitive air. 

It took me weeks to get over Hazel's death from influenza at the end of WWI. But the story — and the family — went on. Hazel more or less disappeared from the screen for years. When she reappeared, I did not recognize her, but I knew her voice the moment she opened her mouth in "Gosford Park" and "Possession." 

And, of course, the house itself in "Upstairs, Downstairs" was as much a main character in the series as any of the family or staff. I'm sure I could walk blind-folded through 165 Eaton Place, I'm so familiar with every room. In this new incarnation, the house will remain but the family will be entirely new. Whether I can still fall in love with them remains to be seen.

James (Simon Williams) and Hazel Bellamy (Meg Wynn Owen) in the drawing room at 165 Eaton Place.

Comments

[Susan in the Pink Hat]

I read this and thought, "Didn't they already kind of make a remake in 'Downton Abbey'"?

[Altoon]

I loved "Upstairs, Downstairs" and because of that couldn't enjoy "Downton Abbey" as much because I kept comparing it to the earlier series to its detriment. I'm looking forward to the new episodes, but don't expect that they'll come close to the brilliance of the original.

[S. Adler Sobol]

Linda -- I totally agree with you about everything -- your thoughts about Hazel and Rose and the fear that this new incarnation (even with the involvement of Jean Marsh & Eileen Atkins) can't possibly be as good as the original. I missed quite a few of the originals back in the '70's and my husband had never watched it sooo about a year we went through every single episode on Netflix. It certainly has stood the test of time and was as wonderful as I remembered it to be. Susan
p.s. - belated wishes for a happy birthday!

[Nicola]

Ah, Rose, Mr Hudson and poor Ruby, the kitchen maid! I love Upstairs Downstairs, too. Have you watched the episodes with the wonderful Pauline Collins?