Berkeley Square

I recently watched this drama, and I can't say how much I LOVE it! There was a total of 10 episodes and it's a real shame the producers didn't make more! For this is one drama you need to see a sequel for. It's quite mysterious, really, and I can't find any answers on the internet as to why further episodes were not made. There was no evidence to suggest that the series did poorly the first time around. Almost all the reviewers have praised it so far, and my hunch is it wouldn't have been very different back then. For indeed, the series was released in 1998!

A brief introduction is as follows: the series follows the lives of three young nannies during the turn of the century London. The nannies are employed in Berkeley Square, and work fairly close to each other. Matty--also called Nanny Wickam--is an East End girl, prim and proper at first but who learns to loosen up as the series progresses. Hannah Randall, is an Irish maid who has an illegitimate child and is forced to find work after the child's father tragically dies. Lydia Weston is a simple country girl, who has been raised with country manners, and who learns that affairs are conduced very differently in London. Though the three nannies's lives revolve around their charges, we see other facets of their lives as well. For example, we see the difficulties of working conditions in London, the transition from country to town, and the hypocricy of morality. An interesting component of this series is that it shows people of different social classes (such as the nannies' employers), ages, and genders. and their desires and travails.

I am writing this entry because I wish to articulate my feelings about the ending of the series. A lot happens in episode 10. Ned is sent to Somalia, leaving Matty alone but hopeful of a reunion in a few months' time; Bertie lies to the police about Billy allowing Hannah to keep Billy but also, as a result, sending Mrs. Brunowski to be hanged; Nanny Simmons sees Hannah with Billy; Lydia makes up with Mr. Fowler and they seem to have a promising start; Mrs. St. John finds out she is expecting and is on the verge of taking a drastic action; Isabel Hutchinson is to be married to Captain Mason despite his liaison with Mrs. St. John; Jack does not tell Lydia that he fought for her honor; the Lamson-Scribners might make up with Hugh, and tons more possibilities and hints. I've made up some parts of the continuing story, but I'd love to have seen an actual sequel. I wouldn't mind even if they did a series now...after all, it's been 10 years, and I am sure the actresses haven't aged that much. The children might have, and that's fine, though I'd miss little soulful-looking Bertie, and cheeky Harriet. I looked up some pictures of the actresses now, and they really don't look aged. For example, Hermione Norris, who plays Mrs. St. John, looks decent and only a tad aged, but she is 40, after all.

Anyway, I feel better having written this entry. I think it'll help me learn to let it go.

P.S. I know it's been ages since I've written last. It's been a whirlwind since then, really. However, I've written now and that's what counts.