Try this….
Netflix photo
Gran Hotel is a Spanish TV series that ran from 2011-2013 for just three seasons. In my opinion, it’s more entertaining than Downton, especially now. For me, that show died along with Sybil and Matthew. Dame Maggie Smith is wonderful, but she’s not enough to save the program.
What is it about the third, fourth and fifth seasons? The first two are fantastic, then the writers seems to run out of ideas or something. Call the Midwife was so good until they went off the book. The only exceptions for me are Breaking Bad, Mad Men (so sad it’s over) and Parenthood.
Anyway, the leads in Gran Hotel are ridiculously good-looking:
Netflix photo
These star-crossed lovers get into more scrapes (why isn’t Julio caught or dead?) and it’s very entertaining.
There’s a witty police detective and his hapless sidekick, two really scary madres who’ve perfected the face slap; conniving house maids and a truly repulsive husband. I watch this on my iPad while working out on the elliptical and it makes the time fly.
Oh, the setting is beautiful too–the Palacio de la Magdalena in Santander (see top photo). The time period is early 20th century and the costumes are great.
Netflix photo
I took a couple years of Spanish in college, so it’s fun for me to try and understand the dialogue. I usually get the first and last words in a sentence. 🙂
Love the cinematography too.
Check it out! On Netflix with subtitles under “Grand Hotel.” I have not been compensated for this blog post, just sharing a fave.
Great weekend, everyone!
{carole}
Pearls & Prose 
Oh thank you!! I love suggestions like this.
I can’t watch Mad Men – stresses me out all the family disasters! 😉
I didn’t watch Mad Men when it first came out because it was just too dark for me. After Breaking Bad, I could handle just about anything. Now I’m glad I went back, because I fell in love with the characters. Well, Don Draper, Peggy and Roger.
I should warn you there’s plenty of family drama and more than a few stabbings in Gran Hotel!
I do agree with you that Downtown Abbey died together with Matthew! Thank you for advice!
Anytime!
I haven’t watched Downton Abbey since season 2 either! I’ll definitely check out this suggestion on Netflix. Speaking of Netflix, have you watched their show Grace and Frankie (Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin)? I’ve seen a few episodes and find them fun.
Jackie, I added Grace and Frankie to my queue just two days ago. Looking forward to it!
So many series just turn falt after a few seasons. I’ve only watched the first three of Downton and the first two of Call the Midwife. I guess you refer to the later seasons.
I hadn’t heard of Gran Hotel but will see if I can catch. I’m sure I’d like it. I watched the crime series Crossing Lines recently. The first two seasons and liked them. It’s an interesting idea to have a cross border team + one American. And I loved Silk. Have you seen that?
Have not seen Silk or Crossing Lines, but I’m always looking for something new to watch. American TV is kind of sparse right now.
Yes, the seasons after the first two are just not great when it comes to Downton and Call the Midwife, sadly.
Turn flat not falt.