Well I finally saw it on Peacock. Not bad. This was basically just a Christmas special with an extra large budget. I was a bit disappointed that the Thomas/Guy subplot was all innuendo. That felt backwards after the last film.
I remember noticing on one of the first times it was re-run over here how much spikier and un-cosy the earlier episodes were, by comparison with the latter end, into the 1920s.
I’d assume the upstairs/downstairs relationship varied with the degree of contact - the lady’s maid or the master’s valet might well be quite close and aware of more intimate aspects of the upstairs life, likewise the butler and chauffeur (though they were expected to be ultra-discreet) - the cook, kitchen and house maid(s) less so.
There was one whole (pre-WW1) episode which turned on the scandal of a society portraitist brought in to paint one or other of the upstairs ladies, but also persuaded the housemaid to sit for him (in his studio) - and not only exhibited them side by side, but painted the maid as though she were in the bedroom she shared with another maid. Both maids were nearly sacked on the spot, without a reference (so little chance of another decent job), for seemingly allowing a man (and an upstairs guest at that) into their room (until it was all explained away).
Well, and Cold Comfort Farm is actually watchable. But I agree, both book and movie are very good.
I never read the book but really liked the movie version.
It’s amazing how Upstairs, Downstairs’ problems ended up prefiguring Downton’s, namely 1) cast departures/replacements that spoiled the direction of the show, and conversely, 2) an elongated timeline that kept characters stuck in the same positions for years on end (how long has poor Daisy been a mere assistant cook?).