Julian Fellowes Drama 'Belgravia' Will Premiere in April on Epix
Robert Viglasky
Mark your calendars, period drama fans: Belgravia, the long-awaited new series from Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes, has an official premiere date at last.
The six-part limited series will premiere on premium network Epix on Sunday, April 12 at 9pm. The story is one of secrets and scandal, set in 19th century London as the upper echelons of aristocratic society began to rub shoulders with the emerging industrial nouveau rich.
Based on Fellowes' own novel of the same name, Belgravia feels like nothing so much as Downton Abbey's more urban, snooty cousin. (And I mean that in the best of all possible ways.) Technically, the two series are not connected to one another, but it's hard not to get a similar vibe, what with the fact that they both are written by Fellowes and the production teams both include Gareth Neame, Nigel Marchant, and Liz Trubridge. And in all honesty, that vague connection is probably a big reason why so many of us are excited to see this show.
Belgravia begins on the eve of the Battle of Waterloo, when the Duchess of Richmond throws a legendary high society ball in Brussels for the Duke of Wellington. James and Alice Trenchard are among the guests, and their attendence at the event sets in motion a series of events "that will have consequences for decades to come as secrets unravel behind the porticoed doors of London’s grandest neighborhood.” (Or at least so the description says.)
The ensemble cast includes such notable British drama heavy hitters as Dame Harriet Walter, Tamsin Grieg, Philip Glenister, Alice Eve, Tom Wilkinson, James Fleet and more.
The trailer indicates that the series will focus on a bevy of family secrets, most notably what sounds like an illegitimate child, whose true identity has been hidden for much of its life. Dun dun dunnnnnnn. (Anybody want to place bets on whether said child is the product of an illicit union between an aristocratic family and one of these new up and coming social climbers? Just guessing...)
Are you looking forward to the premiere of Belgravia? What sort of show do you hope it turns out to be? Let's discuss.
