Laurel Ann Nattress

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Helena Bonham Carter in "The Crown" (Photo: Netflix)

Theo James in "Sanditon" (Photo: Courtesy of Photographer: Simon Ridgway/© Red Planet Pictures / ITV 2019)

(Photo: Courtesy of ©Nick Briggs/Carnival Film and Television Limited 2011 for MASTERPIECE)

Joe Cole in "Gangs of London" (Photo: AMC)

Kenneth Branagh as Boris Johnson in "This Sceptered Isle" (Photo: Sky)

Benedict Cumberbatch in "The Child in Time" (Photo: Courtesy of Pinewood Television, SunnyMarch TV and MASTERPIECE for BBC One and MASTERPIECE)

Mrs. Hall (Anna Madeley), Siegfried Farnon (Samuel West), James Herriot (Nicholas Ralph) and Tristan Farnon (Callum Woodhouse). Credit: Courtesy of © Playground Television UK Ltd & all3media international

Laurel Ann Nattress

Writer, blogger and editor of the short story anthology, Jane Austen Made Me Do It, Laurel Ann is a champion of Georgian civility, British culture and Masterpiece PBS. Visit her at Austenprose.com and follow her on twitter as @Austenprose.

Posts by Laurel Ann Nattress

Missing ‘Endeavour’? Here are Five British Detective Mysteries to Fill the Void

10/4/2017

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in Books by Laurel Ann Nattress

[Shaun Evans stars in Endeavour, as the cerebral detective Endeavour Morse. Image courtesy of ITV and MASTERPIECE ©2017

Missing popular mystery series Endeavour?

We've still got a ways to go until Season 5 debuts next year, so here are five engaging, suspensful British mystery novels to help you fill the void!

Discover the Historical Personalities Behind ‘Victoria and Abdul’

9/21/2017

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in Movies by Laurel Ann Nattress

Dame Judi Dench and Ali Fazal star in Victoria and Abdul, the biographical drama showcasing the unexpected friendship of the Queen and her Indian servant. (Image courtesy of Focus Features © 2017)

Fans of the hit Masterpiece series Victoria will be thrilled to see their favorite British Queen later in life when the new movie Victoria and Abdul opens in theaters in the US on Friday, September 22nd.

Inspired by extraordinary true-life events, the script, based on Shrabani Basu’s book, reveals the unexpected friendship between Queen Victoria and Mohammad Hafiz Abdul Karim, a young Indian sent to England in 1887 to attend Her Majesty during her Golden Jubilee celebrations.

Here for your edification and enjoyment is the run-down of the historical who’s who in the movie:

'Downton Abbey' Cast Members Reunite for ‘The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society’

9/11/2017

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in Movies by Laurel Ann Nattress

Downton Abbey’s Lily James stars as Juliet Ashton in ‘The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society’. (Photo courtesy of Studiocanal ©2017)

While fans of Downton Abbey patiently await updates from creator/writer Julian Fellowes on his plans for a theatrical movie of the mega-hit Masterpiece historical drama, a new movie featuring four of its cast members has been filming in England and The Channel Islands.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, adapted from the international best-selling novel by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows, is somewhat of a mini-reunion for Downton cast members. The World War II period drama will star Lily James as free-spirited journalist Juliet Ashton and feature Jessica Brown Findlay as Elizabeth McKenna, Matthew Goode as Sidney Stark, and Penelope Wilton as Amelia Maugery.

Bake Like ‘The Great British Baking Show’: Victoria Sandwich

8/13/2017

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in Reality by Laurel Ann Nattress

Mary Berry’s Victoria Sandwich is royal cake fit for any queen. (Image courtesy of Love Productions & PBS ©2016)

Though Season 4 of The Great British Baking Show has officially wrapped up, the baking fever lives on in the U.S.

Discover the history behind the recipe of the final Technical Challenge of the season: the Victoria Sandwich. Why is it the qunitessential tea-time favorite in Britian, and what tips will make it your own royal treat?

Bake Like 'The Great British Baking Show’: Mini Mousse Cakes

7/28/2017

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in Reality by Laurel Ann Nattress

During dessert week, Andrew’s mint chocolate mousse cakes harkened back to his childhood ice cream flavors, impressing the judges with both their appearance and taste. (image © 2017 Love Productions)

Loving the delicious-looking bakes on reality series The Great British Baking Show?

We'll break down some of the most popular dishes for you as the season goes along, right here on the blog. Up this week: Mini Mousse Cakes!

In Celebration of the Jane Austen Bicentenary: 10 Reasons Why We Still Value Her Writing after 200 Years

7/18/2017

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in Culture by Laurel Ann Nattress

Three Jane Austen bobbleheads meet to discuss the merits of long sleeves this season. (image courtesy of © 2017 Julie Arnold)

The world is celebrating the Jane Austen bicentenary on July 18th. And after 200 years, Austen's renown is bigger than ever.

Discover 10 reason why we cherish her writing and the cultural phenomenum that she has inspired.

Bake Like ‘The Great British Baking Show’: Bakewell Tart

7/13/2017

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in Reality by Laurel Ann Nattress

Mary Berry's Bakewell Tart from Pastry Week on The Great British Baking Show on PBS. (Image © 2016, Love Productions for the BBC)

What is a Bakewell Tart and why is it the ultimate British tea-time favorite? Discover all the secrets that The Great British Baking Show contestants should have known to produce the “sheer perfection” that the judges required when you bake Mary Berry’s own recipe.

Missing 'Victoria'? Five Books to Read Before Season 2 Begins

7/11/2017

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in Books by Laurel Ann Nattress

Jenna Coleman as the young queen in "Victoria" (Photo: Courtesy of ITV Plc)

Sadly, Season 2 of the hit television series Victoria is still months away. Fill the void with these, engaging and enlightening Victoria-themed books.