Period drama fans are rediscovering the BBC series Servants, a six-episode show from 2003 that follows the scandalous and secretive lives of household staff in an 1850s English country house. On a Reddit forum, one fan described it as a 'total hidden gem,' and many viewers are expressing their desire for a second season.
Cast and Premise
The drama, branded by the BBC as 'bold and irreverent,' stars Joe Absolom as a second footman, Orla Brady as the housekeeper, Christopher Fulford as the head butler, Kenny Doughty as a first footman, and a young Felicity Jones as a nursemaid and housemaid. The story was written by Lucy Gannon, known for TV hits like Soldier, Hope and Glory, and Insiders.
Gannon's Insight on the Victorian Era
Gannon explained the appeal of the setting: 'What's really interesting about this era is that it was before Queen Victoria lost Albert and went into interminable mourning. There wasn't that air of po-facedness about this time, the sort of pious uprightness that we think of as typically Victorian.' She added: 'What is a real eye-opener is how very similar ordinary people were to us today. Despite social and economic restrictions, they were fun, loving and aspirational. Their language is colourful and energetic, splattered with swear words. It is notable how many choice words haven't changed over the years!'
Fan Reactions
One fan compared Servants to Downton Abbey, saying: 'It focuses more on comedy than drama, but it has a heart and a fair share of bleak moments you won't find in a more modern series. I absolutely adored it, it's a total hidden gem. I have watched it twice through now, and I can't get enough.' However, some viewers were less enthusiastic. One said: 'I think a combination of terrible, too modern-sounding dialogue and characters I have zero interest in' made it hard to get past the first episode. Another fan who enjoyed it commented: 'I stumbled upon it not that long ago and had never heard of it either. I thought it was great as well and really wished they made a lot more seasons.' A third added: 'It's one of my favourites! I wish there was a second season.'
Where to Watch
The entire series is available to stream for free with ads on the streaming platform Tubi.
