Saturday TV Special: Downton Abbey

Plot: Welcome to Downton, the glamorous estate in which the Crawley family leads their lives - Lord Robert, his wife Cora and their three daughters - proud Mary, insecure Edith and delicate and rebellious Sybil. When Titanic sinks and two heirs of the fortune drown with it, the family is forced to acknowledge new heir - a lawyer from Manchester, Matthew. To Mary's shock her mother Cora and grandmother, mischievous and energetic Violet try to convince her to marry him in order to secure her future. We also get to look at the lives of the servants - some very loyal and others quite indifferent when it comes to the family.
Structure: The series's two seasons and its Christmas special take place between 1912 and 1920. The third season is set to premiere on September. Each episode we follow the most important events from the lives of Crawleys and their servants.
Verdict: Winner of both Emmy and Golden Globe, Downton Abbey pulls you in and keeps you watching. The intricate web of connections, possible marriages, scandals ready to erupt in every moment is superbly shown to us, while big events in the history also make their way into the show.
What makes it so great? The subtle humour, beautiful cinematography, engaging story and superb acting.
Whom you may recognize: Maggie Smith, the one and only professor McGonagall in her bravura performance as Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham, Hugh Bonneville whom you might remember from "Notting Hill" , Elizabeth McGovern from "The Wings of the Dove" and Michelle Dockery who recently appeared for a moment as fake Marissa in "Hanna".
Who's behind it? Julian Fellowes, the writer of "Gosford Park", "The Young Victoria" and "Vanity Fair".
Who will like it? Fans of costume dramas, period dramas, British productions and films like "Gosford Park".
When and where? 2 seasons and Christmas special are available on DVD or about to be released on DVD. Season 3 premieres in September.