April 17: Top 10 "Masterpiece"

By Sylvia Gurinsky

Continuing the celebration of the 40th anniversary of "Masterpiece" with a Top 10:

10. The Duchess of Duke Street: Created by John Hawkesworth, the episodes starred Gemma Jones as Louisa Trotter, who rose from the bottom to the top.

9. Downton Abbey: This magnetic series, a recent PBS sensation, stars Hugh Bonneville as the patriarch of a family of daughters in changing times during the second decade of the 20th century, with events in Series 1 framed by the sinking of the Titanic and the beginning of World War I. Series 2 will be shown on "Masterpiece" next year.

8. Edward and Mrs. Simpson: Edward Fox and Cynthia Harris played the title characters, whose romance upended a monarchy and changed England's future.

7. Bramwell: Jemma Redgrave starred as Dr. Eleanor Bramwell, who was a medical pioneer at a time when female doctors in England were almost unheard of. No "Dr. Quinn," this series was scandalous at times.

6. The Six Wives of Henry VIII: One of the early "Masterpiece" presentations, this had six episodes - each one devoted to one of King Henry's wives.

5. Reckless: The love triangle of a fortysomething woman (Francesca Annis), her unfaithful husband (Michael Kitchen) and a thirtysomething doctor (Robson Green) got pulses racing. Probably the best of the modern "Masterpiece" presentations, aside from the "House of Cards" trilogy (See below).

4. House of Cards trilogy: Sir Ian Richardson was memorable as the cold and calculating Sir Francis Urquhart in a trio of presentations: "House of Cards," "To Play the King" and "The Final Cut." This was Shakespearean tragedy (written by Andrew Davies) at its most modern.

3. I, Claudius: Long before Derek Jacobi went back to the future (12th century!) as Cadfael, he was Claudius, narrating the rise and fall of ancient Rome.

2. The Jewel In the Crown: A look at India in the last days of British rule, during the early 1940s. Tim Pigott-Smith starred as Captain Ronald Merrick, who had a few secrets influencing his actions.

1. Upstairs, Downstairs: 165 Eaton Place became one of television's classic addresses because of the 1970s show, which took a look at a family and their servants through the first three decades of the 20th century. "Upstairs, Downstairs," winner of numerous Emmys, was among the first programs shown on American television to be produced by women. One of those producers, Jean Marsh, is back for the continuation currently being shown on "Masterpiece."

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Until then, Happy Passover, Happy Easter, Happy Spring and Happy Viewing!