MASTERPIECE Studio

Crystal Clarke is not the first major character of color to appear in a MASTERPIECE production — but the American-born actor thinks it’s high time …

The dashing Sidney Parker floats in and out of his brother Tom's seaside enterprise of Sanditon with barely a word besides. But Theo James — already …

As she prepared for her role as the ambitious Charlotte Heywood in MASTERPIECE’s Sanditon, actor Rose Williams went deep into Jane Austen’s literary …

For Poldark creator, writer and executive producer Debbie Horsfield, there was never any question as to whether or not the original Ross Poldark, …

Catherine Despard was a real-life abolitionist and activist whose story is often ignored in the history books. That sense of responsibility gave …

After four years and four seasons of television, Louisa, Larry, Leslie, Margo and Gerry Durrell are leaving Corfu. It's a departure that's true to life, like much of the sunny series, and actors Callum Woodhouse, Daisy …

During his time living with his sister, Demelza and his brother-in-law, Ross, Drake Carne has come close to death many times. After years of struggle and strife, however, things finally seem to be looking up for the …

Prudie Paynter might be the world's most ineffective housemaid, but she's a loyal friend and a true source of humor, both on screen and off. Actor …

Jack Farthing's Sir George Warleggan is the obvious villain in Poldark, and he brings his share of villainy to this final season of the series. But …

Actor Heida Reed played Elizabeth in the first four seasons of Poldark, but her character's early death in childbirth was a tragic ending to the …

Simon Nye, the creator and head writer of The Durrells In Corfu, doesn’t see Gerald Durrell’s books as necessarily sacrosanct, but his fictionalized …

For the last five years, every season of Poldark has adapted at least one of Winston Graham's original novels. For the fifth and final season, …

On this very first episode of Poldark, we meet all the key characters who will come to shape the series — Ross, Demelza, Elizabeth, Francis, Verity, …

When Grantchester star Al Weaver was in drama school, his future Grantchester co-star, Tessa Peake-Jones, was his designated mentor. On screen this …

Detective Geordie Keating’s put-upon wife, Cathy, has faced marital betrayal, a growing family and a murder-obsessed husband with quiet grace, but this season in Grantchester, Cathy has her own career to worry about. …

The heavy burden of replacing Grantchester lead James Norton in the village vicar’s pulpit falls to none other than Tom Brittney, and it’s a role …

With the recent departure of his friend and castmate, James Norton, from the fields and dells of Grantchester, Robson Green is quick to reassure fans of his series that his character isn’t going anywhere just yet. As …

After a two-year gap, the crime-solving Rev. Sidney Chambers of *Grantchester *is back on the case — only to leave the village in pursuit of love and …

In this sixth season of Endeavour, series lead Shaun Evans slips behind the camera for a change in a dramatic second episode. It’s a move that Evans found easy — and one he hopes to have the opportunity to continue …

You already know the story…boy meets girl, pride meets prejudice, all in a beautiful wrapper: the dramatic Cornish cliffs and dazzling sea. And as we …

After six dramatic episodes and several decades of on-screen struggle, Andrew Davies' masterful new adaptation of Victor Hugo's Les Misérables has …

Spoiler alert: If you haven't seen the third season finale of Unforgotten, don't listen to this podcast.

Alex Jennings is already a MASTERPIECE …

Screenwriter Andrew Davies has been a true master of modern television adaptations, brining such iconic works as Middlemarch and Little Dorit to the MASTERPIECE screen for decades. Now, as he looks ahead to the end of …

Actor Lily Collins tried her best to not lose herself in the devastating role of* Les Misérables*' Fantine. Collins explains how she stayed grounded …

In Victor Hugo's landmark epic, Les Miserables, the Inspector Javert is a hard, cold man with a unflinching pursuit of his own personal justice. But …

After a career of playing notable villains,  actor Dominic West says he’s ready to turn a new leaf. So his role as the tortured thief, Jean Valjean, …

The story of Alison Wilson’s relationship with British spy novelist and actual spy, Alexander Wilson, almost seems too wild for reality and too …

When writer Chris Lang created the MASTERPIECE Mystery! series *Unforgotten, *he looked to capture the very ordinary extraordinariness of a modern …

When actor Ruth Wilson's grandmother, Alison, died, she left her family a surprisingly candid memoir about her relationship with her secret agent husband, the mystery author Alexander Wilson. The truths that Ruth and …

Victoria star Jenna Coleman lead a smashing third season of the series, with her royal character growing in roles both maternal and majestic. As the …

The scheming Princess Feodora snuck into Buckingham Palace early in the third season of Victoria, surprising her half-sister, the Queen, and continuing to lurk in the background of the main royal drama. Actor Kate …

Actor Alex Jennings calls himself “a common boy from Essex,” but his career on stage and screen has included at least four different royal roles. …

Laurence Fox is well known to MASTERPIECE viewers after his eight seasons on the beloved series *Inspector Lewis*, so his appearance on Victoria as the devious UK Foreign Secretary, Lord Palmerston, is a welcome return …

The irascible Nancy Skerrett snuck into her job as a dresser at Buckingham Palace under an assumed name, and came to win Queen Victoria’s heart in the past three seasons of the show. And as part of the audience-favorite …

From the very first episode of MASTERPIECE’s *Victoria, *Lady Emma Portman has been the center of royal intrigue, even if very little of the drama focuses on her. Lady Portman knows who loves who, who spurned who, and …

Among the many fictional Buckingham Palace servants and staffers on MASTERPIECE's Victoria, Ferdinand Kingsley's Charles Elmé Francatelli is based on an actual royal chef and author. Kingsley's cook is a slight bit …

Victoria creator, head writer and executive producer Daisy Goodwin already knows the real history of Her Majesty Queen Victoria’s lengthy reign on the throne. But it’s in the intimate perils of the day-to-day where her …

Debbie Horsfield, the executive producer and sole writer of MASTERPIECE’s Poldark, is ready for the fifth and final season of her series. After the …

Elizabeth Warleggan, formerly Poldark and née Chynoweth, is far from the most beloved character on Poldark. Her shifting affections, wayward …

The dashingly charming Spiros Halikiopoulos is based on a real-life friend of the actual Durrell family during their time on the island of Corfu. …

For almost 40 years, the MASTERPIECE Mystery! title sequence has offered viewers an ominous glimpse into the dark unknown. It's a vision made real by …

In lemon silks and too-tight breeches, the Reverend Osborne Whitworth is the gaudiest member of Poldark’s core cast. With extravagant tastes and a …

While nobody in Cornwall seems to necessarily enjoy the company of one George Warleggan, even fewer appreciate his nasty uncle, Cary. As the sneering …

Josh Whitehouse plays the dashing Lt. Hugh Armitage with an eye on the opportunity for capital ‘R’ Romance. But his character’s loyalties — and divided affections — heighten the stakes for the young actor, and often …

Debbie Horsfield is the only writer of every episode of MASTERPIECE’s Poldark, so she definitely knows what’s on the horizon in the series’ fourth …

In celebration of the 100th episode of MASTERPIECE Studio, we bring some of our favorite moments from our conversations with MASTERPIECE’s actors and creative talents. From Downton Abbey to Unforgotten and everything in …

The beloved MASTERPIECE Mystery! series, Grantchester, is set to return to your screens in summer 2019. In the upcoming fourth season of the show, lead actor James Norton — and his character, the Rev. Sidney Chambers — …

Actor Julian Morris is known for his darker characters — psychopaths, social outcasts and the like, who float around the edges of decent, common …

Do you miss Downton Abbey?

Well we do, and we're bringing back our conversation with Julian Fellowes—creator, sole writer and executive producer of …

How could we leave Downton Abbey without hearing from Lady Edith?

The Crawley's middle daughter has come a long way in six years—from an unlucky …

After her role as Marmee in the MASTERPIECE adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's Little Women, actor Emily Watson has increasingly found herself …

Michael Engler knows first-hand exactly how much pressure comes with directing a "national treasure." In this encore "Directing Downton" episode, Engler takes us behind the scenes of the two season six episodes he …

Annes Elwy and Willa Fitzgerald play two of the four beloved March sisters at the heart of the latest MASTERPIECE adaptation of Little Women, and their familial closeness echoes throughout our interview with the young …

He created Downton Abbey. And finally, he brought it to a close. Julian Fellowes—Downton's creator, sole writer and executive producer—takes us …

The Unforgotten detectives solved another cold-case murder. But the conclusion of the series' second season was far from neat. Lead actors Nicola …

For actors Maya Hawke and Jonah Hauer-King — Little Women’s Jo March and Laurie Lawrence, respectively — watching a reel of outtakes from shooting became a reminder of how much they make each other laugh. Hawke and …

We're looking back at how the final season of Downton Abbey began in an encore conversation with one of the program's directors, Minkie Spiro.

Dame Angela Lansbury has been an acting icon for more than 70 years, bringing character and charm to stage and screen alike. The brand new MASTERPIECE adaptation of Little Women, where she plays the peppery Aunt March, …

Don't miss this extended encore version of our conversation with the actor who brought Lady Mary to life, Michelle Dockery!

Michelle takes you on a behind-the-scenes tour of her six years at Downton Abbey: from her …

Writer Heidi Thomas is already plenty busy with the upcoming eighth and ninth seasons of her smash-hit series, Call the Midwife — but she knew she …

By his own estimation, Sanjeev Bhaskar started acting relatively late in life.  He gives a telling preview of the stunning second season of Unforgotten still to come, and explains how his zany breakout comedy, The …

In this encore episode, Downton Abbey's costume designer Anna Mary Scott Robbins tells us how she uses fashion to bring the characters — and the roaring 20s — to life.

In this special encore episode, Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes looks back at six seasons of his beloved MASTERPIECE historical drama.

What do an epic car crash, a fiery sibling showdown, and a much-anticipated wedding have in common? All three are unforgettable Downton Abbey scenes directed by David Evans.

In this encore "Directing Downton" …

Benedict Cumberbatch heads the cast of The Child in Time — and his new production company took the lead behind the scenes, as well. It's not Cumberbatch's first experience with author Ian McEwan's work — he appeared in …

Nicola Walker leads the crime-fighting duo on the new MASTERPIECE Mystery! drama, Unforgotten. But the series’ complicated cold-case investigations …

Allen Leech takes you on a behind-the-scenes tour of his six years at Downton Abbey: from his "terrifying" first day on set, to the night he broke into the Highclere castle grounds, to his "very, very emotional" final …

In her role as the bereaved mother Julie in the new MASTERPIECE drama, The Child In Time, actor Kelly Macdonald admits a certain distance from the …

Ever since Downton Abbey began, we've watched Thomas Barrow try—and fail—to find his place downstairs—in part because of his sexuality. Now, in the wake of his heartbreaking suicide attempt, we asked Downton's …

It's a pattern we've seen since Downton Abbey began: when Mary is unhappy, it's often Edith who pays the price. But this time, Mary crosses a line -- and sets up a sibling showdown six seasons in the making.

Michelle …

For six years and six seasons of television, screenwriter Heidi Thomas has explored the challenges of 1950s-era British midwifery. Now, as the seventh season of her PBS drama Call the Midwife heads to air just ahead of …

Anna Bates has had some rotten luck, and poor Molesley hasn't fared much better. But now, they're finally getting some good news.

In this …

Mr. Carson & Mrs. Hughes -- Downton's butler and head housekeeper -- have managed the downstairs staff for years. Now, they'll have to …

At the end of another season of Victoria, we couldn't help but dip back in to our collection of conversations with the cast and creative talent …

In this encore episode, Hugh Bonneville (Lord Grantham) and director Michael Engler take you behind-the-scenes of that shocking moment where Lord Grantham had a close brush with death.

But Robert's health isn't the …

Warning: this episodes contains Victoria spoilers.

The Christmas finale of Victoria's second season is as joyful to watch as it was to film, the …

It's the Mrs. Patmore podcast! Mrs. P—Downton’s cook—has been dishing out one-liners and rustic wisdom for the past six years. In this episode, …

Warning: this episode contains Victoria spoilers.

Homosexual romances no doubt existed in Queen Victoria’s court — but perhaps not in the way as …

Allen Leech plays Tom Branson, the handsome Irish revolutionary turned estate manager. But behind the scenes, Leech was a notorious prankster. In …

Warning: this episode contains Victoria spoilers.

Series creator Daisy Goodwin moves between historical fact and dramatic fiction when she and her team write each episode of Victoria. For this week’s on-screen quest to …

Robert and Cora Crawley, the Earl and Countess of Grantham, have weathered many storms. In this two-for-one episode, Hugh Bonneville (Robert) and Elizabeth McGovern (Cora) reflect on the six years they spent playing the …

Warning: this episode contains Victoria spoilers.

Ernest, the charming royal German rogue of Victoria, has a reputation for being a kind of happy-go-lucky courtier. But his personal journey this season — from his dying …

Lady Mary is known for her icy glares and scandal-prone love life. Michelle Dockery talks about her six years playing one of Downton Abbey's most memorable and complex characters.

Warning: this episode contains Victoria spoilers.

Prince Albert is purely logical — which makes Tom Hughes’ search for emotional depths all the more challenging in this second season of *Victoria. *The actor keeps a …

Warning: this episode contains Victoria spoilers.

Rufus Sewell has relished the opportunity to play Lord Melbourne in the last two seasons of Victoria. As he bids farewell to the character, he explains how Lord M’s …

Warning: this episode contains Victoria spoilers.

Daisy Goodwin may be the creator and head writer of Victoria, but she can’t help but sound like an …

Warning: this episode contains Victoria spoilers.

Queen Victoria is a proud new mother — but so far, she’s anything but pleased. As Prince Albert manages the daily stresses of the royal boxes, Victoria finds herself …

Warning: this episode contains The Durrells In Corfu *spoilers.*

Louisa Durrell let another love interest pass her by at the end of The Durrells In Corfu’s season two. Along the way, however, she might have been …

Warning: this episode contains Poldark spoilers.

Demelza Poldark ended her third season of Poldark with a stunning act of defiance. Actor Eleanor …

Warning: This episode contains The Durrells in Corfu spoilers.

Actor Daniel Lapaine has made a career playing rakishly charming characters — He’s ‘a …

Warning: This episode contains *Poldark spoilers.*

Caroline Blakiston’s Aunt Agatha Poldark has been a secret triumph throughout these three seasons …

Warning: This episode contains *Poldark** spoilers.*

After just missing her chance at true romantic happiness this week, the young Morwenna …

Warning: This episode contains The Durrells in Corfu spoilers.

As a child, Keeley Hawes adored reading about the Durrell family’s fantastic Greek adventures on the island of Corfu. Years later, she finds herself as the …

Warning: This episode contains Poldark spoilers.

Poldark’s Caroline Penvenen, the beautiful heiress with a generous heart, has secrets in store in …

With the upcoming 2018 adaptation of Little Women on MASTERPIECE rapidly approaching, we wanted to look back 149 years to the original 1868 publication of Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel of the same name. More …

Warning: This episode contains Endeavour Spoilers

A string of mysterious and seemingly unconnected Oxford murders greets Detective Constable Endeavour Morse in a brand new season of Endeavour. Lead series writer …

Warning: This episode contains Grantchester spoilers.

Another season of Grantchester is done and dusted, and lead writer Daisy Coulam has a few …

Warning: This episode contains Grantchester spoilers.

Iconic British actor Tessa Peake-Jones describes herself as a rather happy woman, but her Mrs. Maguire on Grantchester is anything but. She explains how she found …

Warning: This episode contains Grantchester spoilers.

Actor Al Weaver, who plays church curate Leonard Finch in Grantchester, began his time on the series with a rather unfortunate mustache. He tells us about his …

Warning: This episode contains Prime Suspect: Tennison spoilers.

The Prime Suspect: Tennison season is over, but Jane Tennison’s journey to Detective Chief Inspector is just beginning. Actor Stefanie Martini reflects …

Warning: This episode contains Prime Suspect: Tennison spoilers.

Actor Sam Reid plays the grizzled Detective Inspector Len Bradfield, an early mentor for a young Jane Tennison in the new prequel series, Prime Suspect: …

Warning: This episode contains Prime Suspect: Tennison spoilers.

The original Prime Suspect brought powerhouse Detective Chief Inspector Jane Tennison to our screens for seven seasons. But Tennison didn’t start at the …

Warning: This show contains Grantchester spoilers.

The comic and dramatic collide in full force in the picture book village of Grantchester, perhaps …

Warning: This show contains “Dark Angel” spoilers.

Fans of “Downton Abbey’s” Anna Bates were likely spooked by Joanne Froggatt’s character in “Dark …

Warning: This show contains “King Charles III” spoilers.    In 2012, playwright Mike Bartlett had a revolutionary idea: a Shakespearean drama about a …

Warning: This show contains “King Charles III” spoilers.

Mike Bartlett’s Tony-nominated play “King Charles III” imagines the contentious ascension of Prince Charles to the throne. The new monarch’s refusal to play by …

Warning: This show contains "To Walk Invisible: The Brontë Sisters" spoilers.

Emily Brontë—of “Wuthering Heights” and Brontë family fame—looms large …

Warning: This show contains "Victoria" Season 1 finale spoilers.

In the aftermath of a season finale that tested the relationship between Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, we’re talking to “Victoria” stars Jenna …

Warning: This show contains "Victoria" Season 1, Episode 5 spoilers.

What does it take to write a television series? In Daisy Goodwin’s case, it took a fight, 30 years of research experience, and a lot of heart. This …

Warning: The show contains "Victoria" Season 1, Episode 3 spoilers.

Although many people have been rooting for Lord Melbourne and Victoria to end up together, history decided a different fate for the pair. Rufus …

Warning: The show contains "Victoria" Season 1, Episode 1 spoilers.

Though MASTERPIECE's new period drama, "Victoria," is based on actual, 19th century history, it can be hard to distinguish fact from fiction. Did …

Warning: This show contains “Sherlock” Season 4, Episode 2 spoilers.

John Watson and Sherlock Holmes have been through some rough patches before, …

Warning: This show contains “Sherlock” Season 4, Episode 1 spoilers.

“Sherlock’s” Amanda Abbington weighs in on the premiere, and on playing the divisive Mary Watson.

"Sherlock’s" Molly Hooper has gone from being somewhat of a joke to a fan favorite. She has gotten to slap and kiss Sherlock Holmes; we’ve even seen …

Warning: This show contains “Poldark” Season 2, finale spoilers.

Even though actor Aidan Turner understands Ross Poldark's motivations more than …

Warning: This show contains “Poldark” Season 2, Episode 8 spoilers.

Actor Heida Reed is nothing like the character she plays on MASTERPIECE. In …

Warning: This show contains “Poldark” Season 2, Episode 7 spoilers.

Eleanor Tomlinson -- who plays Demelza Poldark -- comments on recent events as …

Warning: This show contains “Poldark” Season 2, Episode 6 spoilers.

Dr. Dwight Enys knows how to extract fish bones from throats, cure scurvy, and …

Warning: This show contains “Poldark” Season 2, Episode 4 spoilers.

Francis Poldark might be the unluckiest character to appear on MASTERPIECE since …

Warning: This show contains “Poldark” Season 2, Episode 2 spoilers.

With all of George Warleggan's antics this season and last, it's hard to see him …

Warning: This show contains spoilers from the "Poldark," Season 2 premiere.

In the wake of "Poldark's" tense, Season 2 premiere, Eleanor Tomlinson …

Season 2 of "Poldark" is just around the corner! So what's in store for Ross, Demelza, and the rest of the Cornwall crew? On this episode, Aidan …

Warning: This show contains “Churchill's Secret” spoilers.

Actors Sir Michael Gambon and Romola Garai -- who play Winston Churchill and Millie …

Warning: This show contains “Inspector Lewis” finale spoilers.

Though this is not the first time that we've said "goodbye" to Inspector Lewis, actor Kevin Whately insists that, this time, the beloved character is …

Clare Holman's 20-year run as pathologist Dr. Laura Hobson is coming to a close. But before it does, Clare joins us to reminisce about her time on …

Warning: This show contains “Endeavour” Season 3, finale spoilers.

Roger Allam returns to the podcast to take us behind the scenes of the wild …

Warning: This show contains “Endeavour” Season 3, finale spoilers.

Although young D.C. Morse is not the first version of the iconic detective to grace the screen, in the aftermath of one of the most intense episodes of …

Warning: This show contains “Endeavour” Season 3, Episode 3 spoilers.

These days, Anton Lesser is most recognized for playing two very different characters: "Endeavour's" Chief Superintendent Bright and "Game of …

Warning: This show contains “Endeavour” Season 3, Episode 2 spoilers.

DC Morse and the Oxford City Police are back to business as they investigate a …

Warning: This show contains “Endeavour” Season 3, Episode 1 spoilers.

After being shot at the end of "Endeavour," Season 2, Inspector Fred Thursday …

Back in 1987, actor John Thaw brought the endearingly cantankerous Inspector Morse to life on screen for the first time. Now, nearly 30 years later, John Thaw's daughter helps to keep that legacy alive.

This is the …

Warning: This show contains "Wallander" finale spoilers.

From dealing with big cats and non-stop rain to guiding Kenneth Branagh's last performance as Kurt Wallander, Benjamin Caron describes all of the challenges that …

Warning: This show contains "Wallander" finale spoilers.

The series finale of "Wallander" had a lot of heart; it gave us a heartbreaking diagnosis, a heart-pounding case, and to top it off, a heart-filled performance …

Warning: This show contains "Mr. Selfridge" finale spoilers.

"Mr. Selfridge" is going out in style. From spectacle to stunts, this season has it all. But how will the party end for the larger-than-life retail magnate?

Warning: This show contains "Wallander" Season 4, Episode 2 spoilers.

In the second episode of the final season, we get to see a different side of …

Despite originating from what is widely considered to be the happiest -- and most beautiful -- region in the world, Nordic Noir has come to be known …

Warning: This show contains "Wallander" Season 4, Episode 1 spoilers.

MASTERPIECE Studio will follow the final season of "Wallander" the way Kurt …

Back in 2008, Australian native Emily Barker and her band the Red Clay Halo recorded their song, "Nostalgia," in relative anonymity. But when the crime drama Wallander premiered, accompanied by the song, "Nostalgia" …

Warning: This show contains "Grantchester" Season 2, finale spoilers.

From punches to pranks, "Grantchester's" James Norton (Sidney) and Robson Green (Geordie) had a wild time together filming Season 2.

Now in the …

In the aftermath of Gary's hanging and Sidney and Geordie's big fight, the once and (hopefully) future dream team -- James Norton (Sidney) and Robson …

Warning: This show contains "Grantchester" Season 2, Episode 4 spoilers.

Amanda -- a wealthy debutante -- and Sidney -- an Anglican vicar -- have managed to keep their relationship alive despite social conventions of …

Grantchester is a real town in the English countryside, but the crime-solving adventures of Sidney and Geordie exist only in the mind of author James …

Handsome vicar Sidney Chambers and gruff detective Geordie Keating are back on the beat, solving mysteries in the idyllic town of Grantchester all …

Have you ever been haunted? Sherlock's Mark Gatiss has—and he shares a story in the supernatural vein of the upcoming Sherlock special, "The Abominable Bride," coming to Masterpiece on PBS New Year's Day, 2016.

…

Sherlock co-creator, writer and actor Mark Gatiss—who plays the conniving Mycroft Holmes—previews the upcoming special, “The Abominable Bride,” …