Great War Portraits

How Downton Abbey portrays the Great War will define it either as an historical drama or just a period soap opera. The Great War has suffered many times from cliches and stereotypes, if Downton can rise above such temping traps it could be remembered as a classic. I seem to recall it's predecessor 'Upstairs Downstairs' did a credible job, so it has a lot to live up too. Hopefully the production team will have employed top advisers of the 1914-1918 period. Rather than being accused as being too serious, this approach will gain the production team much gravitas and respect from the many that are fascinated by this period of history.

Highclere Castle  (Downton Abbey) was the home of Henry Herbert, (1898-1987) educated at Eton and Sandhurst. He was formerly a Lieutenant in the 7th (Queen's Own Hussars) 1916-1919, he served in Mesopotamia. He became the 6th Earl of Carnarvon in 1923. Highclere Castle was used for an Auxiliary Home Hospital during the war. (The Aristocracy and the Great War).