I watched this a good while ago so I can't remember it exactly. It's fairly run of the mill - nothing like as good as Jewel in the Crown. In my view the hero's mother was miscast - Lesley Nicol - who played Mrs Patmore the cook in Downtown Abbey - it's not that she's a bad actress - it's her voice - it grates on you and she didn't have the look of a well off gentlewoman as you would expect his mother to be. He has a child by an Indian woman as I recall - thus ticking one box - a reprobate brother - tick - a sister-in-law who expects him to marry her - but he is in love with another woman - tick. So a plot is hatched to kidnap the child by his ex father in law I think. The child is kidnapped - end of series. Had they continued it we can imagine what would have happened - the hero would have set off to rescue his child with his newly rehabbed brother - they would have gone through many adventures - fought many battles - been wounded - maybe his brother would have been killed whilst saving the child's life. The kidnappers would have to have been killed to prevent a further attempt - maybe the father and daughter would have gone over a cliff in an accident thus no blame being attached to the hero - who is now free to marry his true love. the end. Very predictable - inevitable even - maybe the viewing figures were poor - we have seen all this before - there was nothing original in it.

Thanks for the info, Strange.

I've always found myself interested in productions set in old-time India, so am curious about this series primarily for that reason. I'll probably decide by the end of tonight's premiere episode whether I'm going to continue watching the series. Beecham House will air weekly in the Sunday 10p.m. time slot, when typically PBS is the only channel I get that's airing anything that's "my kind of thing". On Sunday nights I - whenever there's multiple series that I like currently in their initial run - enjoy settling in with the 2 or 3 hours PBS Masterpiece block unless one or both of the series happen to be something I decide I just don't care for (for example I didn't at all take to Sanditon and decided to abandon it by midway through the first episode). Beecham House will have the built-in advantage of immediately following Grantchester (that Season 5 of also premieres tonight), which I'll already be tuned in to PBS for.

I've located the second TV Guide article that I mentioned above. Following are some excerpts from it:

You won't find a more gorgeous show all summer - those palaces, those costumes! - than this sumptuous Masterpiece romantic melodrama set in late-18th-century India, before the British ruled the subcontinent. They're still seen as a threat in remote Delhi, which is why trader John Beecham (dashing but stiff Tom Bateman) is greeted with suspicion when he moves into a grand estate, despite having renounced the militarized East India Company. It might help if he'd reveal the origins of his mixed-race son, but that's a tragedy for another time (Episode 4). // His life, and that of his loyal staff, is upended when his disapproving mother (Downton Abbey's Lesley Nicol) and a gold-digging companion (Bessie Carter) arrive, soon followed by his rogue brother (Leo Sutter). Turmoil at home pales next to the danger Beecham faces from business and political rivals. A word of caution: As with Sanditon earlier this year, British network ITV canceled House after one season, so if you want a happy ending, stop watching several minutes before the end - the Taj Mahal is your cue - to avoid an ill-advised cliffhanger.

Chief TV Guide critic Matt Roush (who wrote that review) gives the series 3 out of 5 stars.

Incidentally, on PBS in the States, most UK series (nearly always is either period or crime dramas) that air on Sunday nights in the 8-11p.m. 3-hours time slot are presented as part of the ongoing (since the 1970s) Masterpiece showcase. That showcase used to be called "Masterpiece Theatre", but in recent years was shortened to just Masterpiece.

Indeed, A Passage to India is a good movie (I watched it anew, first time in several years, a year or two ago). Even better (or perhaps it simply clicked with or "grabbed" me more) is the 14-parts UK t.v. miniseries of the mid 1980s The Jewel in the Crown. I remember being so engrossed by that I not only watched all of the initial broadcast of the lengthy series, but then watched much of it again a couple subsequent times when PBS re-aired it during the following five or so years. The most recent UK-produced series I followed about Raj India was Indian Summers, of 4-5 years ago. That was rather uneven, though nonetheless was a quality production, and I overall more so liked it than not. It had not only Raj-era India (and the lush, exotic Indian setting in general) going for it, but also the fact that it was set in the early '30s.

@genplant29 said:

Indeed, A Passage to India is a good movie (I watched it anew, first time in several years, a year or two ago). Even better (or perhaps it simply clicked with or "grabbed" me more) is the 14-parts UK t.v. miniseries of the mid 1980s The Jewel in the Crown. I remember being so engrossed by that I not only watched all of the initial broadcast of the lengthy series, but then watched much of it again a couple subsequent times when PBS re-aired it during the following five or so years. The most recent UK-produced series I followed about Raj India was Indian Summers, of 4-5 years ago. That was rather uneven, though nonetheless was a quality production, and I overall more so liked it than not. It had not only Raj-era India (and the lush, exotic Indian setting in general) going for it, but also the fact that it was set in the early '30s.

Of course, you can't compare the average "Beecham House (2019)" to those excellent movies and series.

Except for the cliffhanger , it's allright. A light period drama set at the end of the Mughal Empire (1795) , with simple recognizable story lines, characters and dialogue.

As it's easy to follow, in fact 'soapy' , I can relax and enjoy admiring some of the architecture, costumes, jewelry, music, dance and certain customs like the 'Annaprashana'.

I even learned some new words, like 'Baisa', a term respectfully used to refer to a Rajput female.
Chandrika was adressed like that by the servants.

Here are some characters, to name a few.

John, the hero with high morals, who is so gullible at times that I'm shaking my head more than once, and saying "He Bhagwaan".

I love Chandrika, her costume and jewels, and her haughty manner.

The banter between Mool Chand and Baadal often made me smile.

Then there were the wise words of the motherly Bindu and the impetuous Chanchal who behaved more like a lovestruck teenager, chasing after the dashing Daniel, who's glad to add another female to his list of conquests.

There are many more, but I'll leave it for the next time.

If you binge-watch, the series is four and a half hours. Just make sure to have some spicy Indian curry and snacks.

...Where is ITV’s Beecham House filmed?

...Where was 'Beecham House' filmed?

...Beecham House | Interview with Pallavi Sharda – Chandrika

That's great info, @wonder! Thanks for it all!

With UK series, I always watch anything just however many (typically is just one) episodes air each Sunday night. Thus, with this series, it'll take a month and a half to get to the finale. That's of course assuming I don't become a defector after or during watching tonight's episode.

I read, the other month, that many faithful viewers of PBS Masterpiece have declared that they will boycott Beecham House to express dissatisfaction that the Masterpiece showcase aired Sanditon earlier this year knowing full well it had already been cancelled (make that "was not renewed for a second season") despite ending on a major cliffhanger. As a result, US viewership may wind up less for BH than would perhaps otherwise be the case.

@genplant29 said:

That's great info, @wonder! Thanks for it all!

With UK series, I always watch anything just however many (typically is just one) episodes air each Sunday night. Thus, with this series, it'll take a month and a half to get to the finale. That's of course assuming I don't become a defector after or during watching tonight's episode.

I read, the other month, that many faithful viewers of PBS Masterpiece have declared that they will boycott Beecham House to express dissatisfaction that the Masterpiece showcase aired Sanditon earlier this year knowing full well it had already been cancelled (make that "was not renewed for a second season") despite ending on a major cliffhanger. As a result, US viewership may wind up less for BH than would perhaps otherwise be the case.

Well since I have to wait until the 22nd to watch it on the 'red-headed step-child' (of our two PBS stations) don't forget to leave your review of the first episode tonight (if you have time). The same with Granchester, although I haven't really liked it since Norton left. I'll give it a try again.

@genplant29 said:

I read, the other month, that many faithful viewers of PBS Masterpiece have declared that they will boycott Beecham House to express dissatisfaction that the Masterpiece showcase aired Sanditon earlier this year knowing full well it had already been cancelled (make that "was not renewed for a second season") despite ending on a major cliffhanger. As a result, US viewership may wind up less for BH than would perhaps otherwise be the case.

I dislike cliffhangers too. Especially when a series end the season with a Part 1, and it is then cancelled, so there is no Part 2.

This show has one major loose end before the cliffhanger. However I can easily ignore that.

If I could edit the last episode, I would have the credits roll after the scene at the Taj Mahal. Then after that and before the commercial, there would be the last scene with a voice-over announcing to viewers what they can expect next in series two.

I watched the debut episode last night and have concluded that I'll remain a viewer of this series.

For me that decision is so far thanks to the spectacularly gorgeous visuals (including stunning costumes and flawless cinematography and lighting and very rich sense of place) and exotic as well as historic setting; I completely agree with what TV Guide critic Matt Roush stated (see further above in this thread), "You won't find a more gorgeous show all summer - those palaces, those costumes!...." All that is impeccably faultless, and truly something worth seeing. Normally it would take significantly more than solely terrific visuals to hook me on a new series. But, in this particular one's case, it's definitely something, exceptionally "above and beyond", to remain onboard for.

So far my only issue with this series is that it's just not compelling; while unquestionably a deluxe first-rate production, it's surprisingly slow and uninspired seeming (and the script/dialogue so far isn't wowing me). Perhaps that will change/improve as various parts of the story gradually perk and develop.

The mysteries that so far viewers of Episode 1 have to wonder about is what transpired between the time three years earlier when the main guy got shot in the chest (and, amazingly, survived that event) and his recent arrival to Beecham House, where he's now clearly extremely wealthy. Also what's the deal with the cute mixed-race baby, and who is the mother thereof? (For that matter, is it actually the main guy's own child, or is there more to the story - such as I suspect is the case.)

This is the type production that feels ideal for summertime viewing (particularly in the Sunday night 10p.m. time slot immediately following new [to the US] episodes of Grantchester), and I think will be quite a pleasant light weekly diversion as such.

@genplant29 said:

This is the type production that feels ideal for summertime viewing (particularly in the Sunday night 10p.m. time slot immediately following new [to the US] episodes of Grantchester), and I think will be quite a pleasant light weekly diversion as such.

Glad you're enjoying those shows. Both series have six episodes each, so there are five more Sundays to look forward to.

I'm set through July.

I enjoyed the premier enough to tune in next Sunday. Yes, it's formulaic (apparently mystery is requisite if set in India), and I agree that Leslie Nichol kind of seems miscast compared to what we're accustomed to seeing as the snooty British mother, but I wonder if the Beecham family may be newly wealthy at that point, perhaps mercantile, more gentry, IYKWIM? Ditto about her voice! Tom Bateman's handsomeness is a hook though, for sure!

I agree with everything said about A Passage To India and The Jewel In The Crown (re-watched it this past year for the umpteenth time and it continues to hold up extremely well) being superior, but it would be hard for anything to beat a David Lean film or Paul Scott's comprehensive (but dry in a matter-of-fact manner) Raj Quartet. Actually, there was a fifth book as well. I enjoyed Indian Summers and wouldn't mind viewing that series again too.

One thing I liked about the Beecham House premier, besides the promise of good production values, is that it will prompt me to look into the actual history (a big reason why I like period drama) of French interest in India (if it truly existed as depicted). I only associate the Brits as colonizers when I think of India , but of course the French and Dutch and likely others that I'm not familiar with had interests in Asia.

@merryapril said:

I enjoyed the premier enough to tune in next Sunday. Yes, it's formulaic (apparently mystery is requisite if set in India), and I agree that Leslie Nichol kind of seems miscast compared to what we're accustomed to seeing as the snooty British mother, but I wonder if the Beecham family may be newly wealthy at that point, perhaps mercantile, more gentry, IYKWIM? Ditto about her voice!

Lesley has played Mrs. Patmore ("Downton Abbey (2010-2015)") for so many years, that those who have seen the series, will invariably identify her with that chracter.

Who knows, Mrs. Patmore might be related in some way to the Beechams, like a great-grandniece or even a great-granddaughter.

When she didn't want to eat anything, I almost expected her to get up and go to the kitchen to cook some decent English meal.

Point taken wonder2wonder: six seasons as the hard-working Mrs. Patmore may make it difficult for some to accept Lesley Nichol (misspelled her name earlier, sorry) in any other role!

I don't know if we'll get much if any backstory on the Beecham family's circumstances but, since John Beecham's wealth seems newly-minted and the pride of his mother, and the fact that both he and his brother served in the East India Company, it could possibly suggest that the family was no higher than middle class, especially if the brothers were the only sons. Thus, an actor like Lesley Nichol may have been cast precisely in part because of her association with her most famous and humbler role. Now, say, if an actor like Harriet Walter (who I've enjoyed VERY much in Killing Eve this season -- and playing against type too!) had been cast instead I'd be inclined to think the Beechams were more affluent. Am I making any sense?!?! I could be dead wrong about all of this, and Mrs. Beecham could simply be a woman who doesn't put on airs. Anyway, the plot may never flesh out the family's background so it's admittedly of little importance. I guess hearing that same raspy voice is what's triggered these thoughts...

Here is an article that tells a bit of back story.

https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2020-06-14/is-beecham-house-based-on-a-true-story/

Thanks bratface. That article gives a nice, succinct sense of the French interest in India and why it waned, and how the decline of Muslim rule created opportunities for the English. In reading about the British East India Company today I learned the Portuguese were dominant there earlier. Some Spanish too. And of course the Dutch. So, all of the Usual Suspects!!!