Last Updated on June 7, 2023
No need to ask us twice: Here’s a chance to celebrate the iconic series that introduced generations of PBS viewers to the delights of British drama. From “Upstairs Downstairs” to “I, Claudius” to “The Jewel in the Crown” and “Downton Abbey,” MASTERPIECE has stood the test of time.
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MASTERPIECE: 50 Fabulous Years! is part of special programming premiering on PBS stations on Sunday, November 29, 2020 at 8:00 pm ET (check local listings). This is a broadcast-only event, don’t miss it on your local PBS station!
Tune in to watch MASTERPIECE: 50 Fabulous Years! and celebrate the riveting stories, fabulous performances and magnificent costumes that have transported viewers to another time and place for five decades, introducing generations of PBS viewers to the delights of British drama.
Masterpiece Theatre began its incredible 50-year run on January 10, 1971, becoming the longest-running, most perennially watched weekly primetime drama series in American television history.
Since then, the series has become essential Sunday night viewing for millions of fans, and has won 83 Primetime Emmys® and 18 Peabody Awards, seven Golden Globes and two Oscars.
MASTERPIECE: 50 Fabulous Years! features in-depth interviews with Robin Ellis, who starred as the original Poldark and who made an appearance in the recent series; Sir Derek Jacobi, who starred in the title role of “I, Claudius”; and Phyllis Logan, best known to Americans for her portrayal of Mrs. Hughes on “Downton Abbey.”
Others interviewed include “Downton Abbey” writer and creator Julian Fellowes; “Victoria” writer and creator Daisy Goodwin; Rebecca Eaton, Executive Producer of the series for 35 years, now Executive-Producer-at-Large; and Susanne Simpson, current Executive Producer of MASTERPIECE.
The program is also full of video clips from classics such as “Upstairs Downstairs,” “Jewel in the Crown,” “I Claudius,” “Sherlock” and current fan favorites, including “Victoria,” “Endeavour,” “Poldark,” “Grantchester,” and many more.
Here at Willow and Thatch, we are celebrating the 50th anniversary with a look back at all the period dramas that have aired on Masterpiece, season by season.
We are also hosting a series of articles about Masterpiece by Nancy West, author of Masterpiece: America’s 50-Year-Old Love Affair with British Television Drama (Rowman & Littlefield, November 2020). Hers is a fascinating book that focuses not just on the long-running show, and its series that have been especially popular, but also why Masterpiece has been significant to Americans in particular, which she speaks about in MASTERPIECE: 50 Fabulous Years!
West’s articles for Willow and Thatch include Masterpiece Characters Who Inspire Us, Masterpiece Theatre: Host Alistair Cooke, PBS Masterpiece Mystery! Series, Masterpiece Theatre: Upstairs, Downstairs, Masterpiece & Smart Viewers Like You, and PBS Masterpiece Theatre: In Short.
MASTERPIECE: 50 Fabulous Years!, a special presentation hosted by award-winning actor and author Alan Cumming, airs Sunday, November 29, 2020, at 8:00 pm ET (check local listings as air times may vary).
If you enjoyed this post, wander over to The Period Films List. Also see Masterpiece Classic Period Dramas on Prime.
Ellen M Morrell
December 3, 2020 at 8:13 am (4 years ago)Wonderful dramas from Masterpiece.
Deborah Brimner
December 2, 2020 at 6:44 am (4 years ago)I have watched Masterpiece Theater for over 40 years and it is a fantastic program. I just love all the period programs and the actors are so talented. I always look forward to watching and escaping while losing myself into the various storylines. Wonderful. I did try to find this celebration program on my local network in Pittsburgh but no luck. Searched online to connect to another network but had no success after over an hour and half. I missed your celebration but it wasn’t that I didn’t try. Happy 50th!!
Gary Bailey
November 30, 2020 at 8:35 pm (4 years ago)I have watched Masterpiece since Alistair Cookes’ days. I have always enjoyed all the series and have been watching and collecting Masterpiece and Masterpiece Mystery since 74. One question when is Victoria and Sherlock coming back?
Cathy Goodman
November 30, 2020 at 4:26 pm (4 years ago)We need another season of Sanditon before making anything else!!!!!!
Elizabeth H Cumming
November 30, 2020 at 3:37 pm (4 years ago)When will Victoria return?
Patti Trumbo
November 30, 2020 at 12:18 pm (4 years ago)Love to watch the shows about this period in time loved Downton Abbey
Jennie Brousek
November 30, 2020 at 8:37 am (4 years ago)Masterpiece Theater is a light in my life. From my 5 year old sons year long battle with leukemia to the loss of my brother and father in 1973 to my moms 3 year battle with cancer , and my husbands 7 years with heart disease and lymphoma, looking forward to Sunday nights and Masterpiece Theatre gave me an escape, to look forward, to go on another week.
I’ve loved every moment and the choices you’ve made to fill those moments. You soothe my soul.
GD
November 29, 2020 at 10:10 pm (4 years ago)Let’s get real: this show was a horrendously bad non-tribute to what is possibly the best series on PBS. Something is very wrong if I have to watch numerous clips of the Executive Producer and NONE of Russell Baker. How could you NOT spend time on Upstairs Downstairs??? This show has obviously gone to the dogs…
Willow and Thatch
November 30, 2020 at 9:05 am (4 years ago)It could have been better, and that’s likely because of the limitations imposed by the pandemic. But yes, more Upstairs, Downstairs would have been helpful!
Rebecca Evers
November 29, 2020 at 1:08 pm (4 years ago)I would l ike to receive your emails.