Meghan O'Keefe

If you are going through Downton Abbey withdrawals, first check out my piece in Hello Giggles that directly addresses what to watch when you’re not watching Downton Abbey.

I know that’s kind of lazy of me, but the article pretty much addresses all of what I would say—and I give a bunch of recommendations along with reasons for them.

Downton Abbey is such a weird show because it’s framed and promoted like an epic high class literary adaptation like The Forsyte Saga, but it’s really a flimsy, yet well-acted, soap opera. (I’m sorry, internet. In terms of writing—not production or acting—Downton Abbey is like “Julian Fellowes plays British Costume drama’s greatest hits with AUTOTUNE!”)

There’s very little “downstairs” in The Forsyte Saga. It’s all very much about romantic obsession and the issues of art/passion/love versus stability/money/property.

Critically speaking, The Forsyte Saga is superior television to Downton Abbey *ducks out of way of intangible things being hurled at her from across the internet*. Downton is frothier and more fun. That said, both series are about huge rich families getting involved in personal scandals during time of culture shift. The Forsyte Saga takes a tiny bit more focus and critical thought than Downton Abbey, though.

I would highly recommend it, but just know what you’re getting into.

(Also, The Forsyte Saga has Horatio Hornblower and Young Inspector Greg Lestrade as its romantic heroes.)