DOWNTON ABBEY (Universal).

Social status in the Edwardian era was as important downstairs with the servants as it was upstairs with the aristocracy. The villains are just a bit too villainous and the story-lines are often melodramatic; but Julian Fellowes provides a rich assortment of interesting characters. The casting (Hugh Bonneville, Jim Carter, Brendan Coyle and Phyllis Logan et al) is impeccable and production values are high.