Belgravia (2020) User Reviews

A scandal in Belgravia.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 8/10 · 16 March 2020]

It's natural that anything Julian Fellowes does will be compared to Downton Abbey, and whilst Belgravia isn't quite up there, it's still a good watch.

As you'd expect it's the war of the classes, here the families of historical grandeur are joined by the nouveau riche, the new money seeking a place in Society.

It looks fabulous, terrific sets and costumes, I thought the acting was great, Harriet Walter as always can do no wrong, Tamsin Greig was a joy, loved watching her.

It won't be for everyone, but I thoroughly enjoyed it, tea and scandal, great for Sunday nights. 8/10.

Surprised this is getting so many negative reviews

[micluck · 8/10 · 23 March 2020]

It is not DA, & doesn't try to be. It is bleaker and more sophisticated. Loving the scripting & cast, really enjoying it so far.

Please ... bite me.

[howtrite · 8/10 · 28 March 2020]

Critics have said: "Bad Language" - Horrendously dull - No Downton Abbey - wasn't impressed so far - Not Ready for another go yet... - Wow, this is bad They all seem bigger snobs than the worthless 'gentry' who think they are better than others and entitled to luxury by some God given right. I found the story captivating and the acting excellent. Those haters out there can "sod off!" My only regret is guessing the surprise ending.

Superb

[stevejenkinsss · 10/10 · 28 March 2020]

Don't compare this to Downton Abbey. It's not and it's doesn't try to or need to be. This is a darker , more sophisticated perhaps a little bleaker vision of the upper class in the 1830's. The sets are exquisite , the writing sharp and the acting is pure class. Tamsin Greig and Harriet Walker are astonishing. Watch it. Love it.

It's not Downton Abbey but it wasn't supposed to be another Downton.

[Avidviewer-02847 · 9/10 · 29 March 2020]

Watched the first two episodes. It has the same writer Julian Fellowes and executive producer Gareth Neame as Downton Abbey, but I never expected or wanted it to be another Downton Abbey. I enjoyed Downton and I'm enjoying Belgravia.

It's a period piece but Belgravia is set a century earlier when English society was different, more formal than Downton which begins at the sinking of the Titanic. Downton was set in Yorkshire and the house was a major character, Belgravia is set in London in newer non-descript looking houses in a very posh neighborhood bordering Buckingham Palace. The Brockenhurst's have a country home as do the Trenchards, just like the Crawley family had Grantham House in London and we'll see how country houses play out in this series.

Mr Trenchard is wealthy gentry, but he's made his money as opposed to Lord Grantham who inherited his wealth and married an American heiress who brought money to their marriage. Mrs Trenchard was the daughter of a school master so she was probably well educated for a woman of her time, it's unlikely though she brought money to the marriage. Harriet Walter is a formidable Countess of Brockenhurst like Maggie Smith was a formidable Dowager Countess of Grantham, both dames with long acting careers.

Two problems stand out, one Anne Trenchard seems to wear the same gray dress in different scenes, the Trenchards weren't poor. And the actress playing Lady Maria Grey looks like she just walked off of a beach in the Riviera with her sun tan. Ladies of that day had very fair skin, the only people with tanned skin were day laborers. And the actress plays that part like it's set in the 1920s, not 1840s.

The Duchess of Richmond's Ball was a real event and Thomas Cubitt (partner of Trenchard) was a real person.

I look forward to the watching the rest of the series.

Sumptuous with interesting plot. Let down by anachronistic language & characters.

[ToneBalone60 · 6/10 · 2 April 2020]

OK, its a decent costume drama, high on costume and set quality with a plot interesting enough (although predictable) to keep you attached for now.

However the characters are all mundane, grey and unattractive and there isn't one you actually care about. The two leading female actresses are so alike that you have to double check which one is which on screen. The same with several other cast members. It's almost as if they just auditioned every actor for every part. This is down to lazy casting and also weak and rather dull actors and and poor character building. Some of the supporting actors look as though they have turned up under duress.

I guess Fellowes didn't want to fork out for some stronger, better known actors.

We also have the predictable upstairs: downstairs / Downton Abbey gossipy scheming servants and the them & us class divide. This helps drive the plot along but it's a tired old trope now and I would have expected something fresher from Fellowes this time around.

My biggest problem is with Philip Glenister as Trenchard. Glenister is playing his usual 21st century police crime series character and his actions and contemporary language are totally unsuitable for the Victorian age. This again is repeated by most of the younger actors and the result has a cheap contemporary soap opera feel about it. Eastenders characters rarely make a successful jump to period drama. Come on Julian, this is sloppy work.

Its comfortable enough entertainment but I doubt it will deserve a second season.

Very good

[lukasluk-69237 · 10/10 · 19 March 2020]

Very beautiful and well played drama from the XIXth century England. I enjoyed it.

Good Enough

[PennyReviews · 7/10 · 1 May 2020]

Belgravia did have an air of Downton Abby to it, but it was shorter and dealt with other themes and eras. For the biggest part, it was good, with an intriguing story and interesting characters. However, the last episodes felt rushed and a bit too idealistic.

Lovin' It!

[TondaCoolwal · 9/10 · 24 March 2020]

Following Sanditon, I'm approaching these 9.00 p.m. period dramas with a bit of trepidation. Which is why I record them. So far this has proved suitably and entertaining. Family secrets, a girl seduced and betrayed. Ne'er do well sons and relatives on the scrounge, a flirty daughter in law and a young, good looking fellow who doesn't know who he really is. And not a ripped bodice or naked buttock in sight. Hope this continues. I get fed up using the fast-forward button. Viewers of Victoria will pick up on contemporary references i.e. Peel is in and Lord Melbourne on his way out. For me Tamsin Grieg has the perfect "period" face whether topped by a poke bonnet or severe coiffure. Susan on the other hand looks far too modern. Like someone dressing up. And, I bet Cubitt's are grateful for a bit of free publicity. Just hope it doesn't go OTT and we see a crane at the Isle Of Dogs with the name on the side! Keep it going Julian. I might even get round to watching Downton one of these days!

Downton influenced by Barbara Cartland

[Jonas1969 · 6/10 · 22 April 2020]

A soundtrack that is eerily similar to that in Downton Abbey brings us into a world just as lovingly recreated and with an equally wonderful ensemble of actors. But it just doesn't hold up. Most characters are more akin to flat cardboard cutouts than real people and the main plot is pure romance novel more reminiscent of Barbara Cartland or a penny dreadful than Julian Fellows... but I would still recommend watching it for all it's flaws. The first episode takes us through the final days of the Napoleonic wars and then we are transported nearly 30 years to London at the start of the Victorian era for the rest of the series. Most characters may be 2-dimensional, but the acting is still very good. The women are definitely the stars of the show: the scenes with Tamsin Greig and Harriet Walter are superb, Alice Eve as Tamsin's daughter in law at first seems a bit cliché but gets better as we go along. The one woman I felt a bit sorry for was Ella Purnell who was entirely charming but had a very predictable and boring character to play. The men do well enough but get little chance to develop any depth. If you enjoy these types of drama then I think you will find it worth watching, but if you haven't watched much in the genre then I would recommend starting with an adaptation of Pride and Prejudice and then seeing all of Downton Abbey before you even consider watching this.

Really enjoying it, but..

[rocknrelics · 8/10 · 13 April 2020]

Thoroughly enjoying this series, lot's of dastardly dealings and intrigue with superb performances all round, including some hammy ones where necessary!

The only thing I would say, and it's a very minor point, is that it seems the music composer was told to come up with something very Downton like, and they have done. It's really noticeable to my ears!

Posh Soap

[mrmstoney · 7/10 · 23 March 2020]

Eastenders from the 1800's. Not bad though. Much better than Eastenders, which I admit isn't saying much.

Bored in Belgravia

[elizabethmeltinis · 3/10 · 19 July 2020]

With Julian Fellowes as a writer, known for Gosford Park and Downton Abbey, my expectations were high when starting on Belgravia. Surroundings, props, costumes etc. are fabulous. But the series as such is boring. The plot is banal (could well have been cut down to 1 1/2 hours), and it totally lacks the subtle British humour which makes the two previous productions worth watching again and again.

Another good job!!

[irishwolfie58 · 8/10 · 1 April 2020]

Well written and beautifully filmed on location, with excellent costumes. Well worth watching!!

Ignore negative reviews

[eclarkdog · 9/10 · 16 April 2020]

If you are planning to watch "Belgravia" then you already enjoy this type thing. The acting is great and the story intriguing. So far everything you could possibly want in a period piece.

Tamsin Greig, who looks so familiar to me but can't place her, is truly exceptional here. Why is she not in more stuff?

So far, so great. Let's hope the series continues the quality.

Lots of potential, but . . . .

[rtbradford · 6/10 · 26 May 2020]

Belgravia had lots of potential to be a cracking good tale, but it was so rushed, it felt like a wasted opportunity. The story introduced and wrapped up in 6 episodes. It would have been better if told over two or three seasons at least. There was no suspense because everything introduced in one scene was resolved in the next few. There was no time for any sort of character development so everyone was one dimensional; all good or all evil and greedy. It was almost an allegory. And it was so predictable that there really weren't any surprises. Nice for the costumes and some wry humor, but it could have been so much better.

Old-school

[ayonijaprithuvainya · 9/10 · 11 April 2020]

+ The writing and story-telling have been great so far. Much more consistent and plausible, and far less sappy and cringe-worthy than Downtown Abbey. It is closer in style to the writings of Victorian authors like Trollope and Dickens, which is apt for this setting.

+ Visually gorgeous and picturesque. Nineteenth century London is relatively fresh among period dramas.

+ Great performances all around.

+ Lead characters are worth rooting for.

• The "downstairs" stuff is tacked on and distracting. Waste of some talented actors in unnecessary roles.

The Trenchard Family

[dk777 · 7/10 · 17 May 2021]

An interesting and well-written series, a real rarity nowadays.

The characters are interesting and layered and look like they are really from that time period. There is nothing modern in the show and that is the best thing that can happen when you look at a historical series. The plot is intriguing and the characters are different and the story is brilliantly balanced.

It's really great to watch a historical series without modern values, only then do such shows make sense. The characters act and talk as if they are truly from that time, which is a real rarity for today's historical series.

The cinematography is excellent, the details are good and make the series visually brilliant. The costume design is excellent, it can be seen that a lot of effort has been put into the whole production. The cast is good, the roles suit them and the characters look convincing.

An interesting, visually excellent series that is definitely worth a look.

Wonderful surprise

[patricevanes-583-951297 · 8/10 · 26 March 2020]

Was totally expecting a boring series, but to my surprise I was totally smitten by it. I can't wait for the next episode and I really am glad I picked up on this.

Only if you have nothing better to do

[astrid_broxx · 6/10 · 30 May 2020]

I'm on the fourth episode. The series is boring, every episode seems similar. The characters are bland, it's hard to sympathize with them or like. Everyone looks average (even female characters who - as the story says - are supposed to be beauties). More like extras, it's hard to remember them. The acting is also so-so. The plot doesn't convince me, the dialogues are poor without imaginativeness and interaction between characters.

First episode has got me hooked

[sashi_d · 10/10 · 19 March 2020]

Very Downton Abbey-ish. Let's hope the rest of the episodes maintain it

A sort of anti-Downton Abbey

[cherold · 6/10 · 21 May 2020]

Belgravia is not that interesting in itself, at least until it picks up in the last couple of episodes, but it is interesting as a companion piece to Downton Abbey. Because while Downton Abbey was a generally idealized portrait of the nobility-servant ecosystem, Belgravia primarily centers around awful nobility and their angry servants.

Most of the people in Belgravia are, in fact, awful. Admittedly some turn out to be less awful than they first appear, and a few are genuinely good, but there are a ton of unpleasant people doing unpleasant things.

I didn't care for the series and wouldn't have watched if not for my girlfriend, who didn't love it but thought it was good enough to stick with. Things get fairly interesting as the threads are gathered up in the penultimate episode and knitted into a Dickensian conclusion in the last, but I can't recommend this, since for the most part I found it dull and unlikeable.

Story has been done a thousand times

[Vanillaalmond · 4/10 · 20 April 2020]

I find it hard to believe that this has the same author as Downton Abbey, that series is exquisite and so well written and made. This in all honesty felt like watching a tabloid series of questionable qualities. Clothing and decor is nice so it still gets 4 stars.

I love Belgravia

[michael-waddington · 8/10 · 13 April 2020]

I love Belgravia. Another great British drama. I won't spoil the plot - but it is well written, has great characters and the entire cast is excellent. Can't wait for the next episode.

Excellent viewing

[MazzyMayhem-117-544511 · 10/10 · 20 April 2020]

I have thoroughly enjoyed Belgravia. A good storyline and excellent acting all round, snd especially by Tamsin Grieg and Harriet Walters. Adam James is outstanding as the villain of the piece.