Yahoo News Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes says new historical drama Belgravia has a "very different energy"
Our Sunday evenings have been missing a period drama of late, but tonight (March 15) that's all about to change as ITV's Belgravia begins.
The new six-part drama is based on the bestselling novel of writer and creator Julian Fellowes – the force behind the hugely popular Downton Abbey – and is set in 19th century London on the eve of the Battle of Waterloo.
Recently, Fellowes spoke to Digital Spy and other media, wanting to emphasise Belgravia's difference to his other famous TV show: "Compared to Downton – because obviously people will compare it to Downton – it has a very different energy.
"Downton to a degree was about the decline of that particular way of life and how it was going to have to adjust into the 20th century. The 1840s really were the opposite of that.
Related: Ella Purnell is changing perceptions in Belgravia
"They were the beginning of the boom of Victorianism and it would lead to 1900 when there were more people employed in domestic service than at any time before or since. Markets were growing, industry was growing, trade was growing, the empire was growing... everything was growing. And I think that does create a different feeling to it actually."
The series centres on the Trenchard family, played by a host of familiar faces including Alice Eve (Iron Fist) as Susan, daughter of a successful merchant, and daughter-in-law of the wealthy James and Anne Trenchard (played by Life On Mars' Philip Glenister and Episodes' Tamsin Greig).
Fellowes is also joined by executive producers Gareth Neame, Liz Trubridge, and Nigel Marchant, who were all part of the creative team behind Downton.
Neame previously spoke of his excitement at the Downton team getting back together for this new project: "It's fantastic to be working again with Julian, a master storyteller. In Belgravia, he has painted a wonderful backdrop of 19th century society against which intrigue and dynastic power struggles will play out."
Neame also praised Fellowes' ability to write so eloquently about the way people interact with each other in both Belgravia and Downton.
He told Digital Spy and other media: "There are similarities [to Downton], mostly because it's about social commentary and what fascinates me about Julian's writing is this observation of human beings and how they organise themselves in whatever hierarchical structure it is. I feel it's just so truthful to this day."
If the success of Downton is anything to go by, we could be in for a real treat with Belgravia.
Belgravia airs on ITV at 9pm on Sunday, March 15.
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