The Grand (1997–1998) User Reviews (25)

Series One GREAT. Series Two LESS SO.

[chuffnobbler · 7/10 · 26 July 2009]

Nothing particularly unique, fresh or new happens in The Grand, but it succeeds because it constantly surprises and turns expectations on their heads. Russell T Davies, that genius writer, is always good at catching the viewer out, and the show's greatest successes are delivered by deft overturning of what we think is going to happen next.

Casting Susan Hampshire as a prostitute? Straightaway, that's brilliant. I expected the whole series to involve Miss Harkness at risk of being caught out, struggling to keep one step ahead of propriety ... but in Russell T Davies's hands, all of that is blown away. By episode three, her trade is an open secret. This is why RTD is one of Britain's most successful TV writers, and I am not.

Series One thrives on the aspiring, go-getting maid Monica. Several gobsmacking twists on the trot lead Monica's story to an appalling conclusion: gang rape, murder in self defence, execution. Well done, Mr Davies.

It all falls apart in series two. Head transplants are always tricky to pull off in ongoing TV series, but The Grand fails in giving two key characters head AND personality transplants. The impossibly handsome, tormented Stephen becomes ten years younger and infinitely wetter. Outspoken, bitter Ruth becomes a shivering, febrile mess. These two changes are a huge failing and, with the Bannerman family granny forgotten between series, and with John and Sarah Bannerman (the irreplaceable Julia St John) written out after a couple of episodes, major driving forces are lost. Series two is very different from series one, and much weaker. Sure, there are still great episodes (Monica's revenge, Clive's dilemma), but these individual story lines are divorced from the main ongoing stories.

As is the way of these things, the Below Stairs characters are always the most interesting. While the Above Stairs characters worry about business deals and all of that old nonsense, there is a real sense that life below stairs is tough, cruel, bitter and horrible.

The Grand, at its best, really is "grand". Cliché-busting, surprising, and full of memorable characters and situations. The problem with the majority of series two is that those memorable characters aren't quite as memorable as they used to be, which handicaps the story from the very beginning.

Stick With The Grand

[sraftom-1 · 8/10 · 8 August 2006]

My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed The Grand. The other review on this page is accurate in all of it's particulars but does not capture the feeling of opulence and grandeur that the series brings to the small screen. Contrary to the other comments, one does care about the characters from the original Bannerman's to the quintessential bad guy, Marcus. The writing, though smattered with some convenient dramatic plot devices, is terrific. The single best episode, when Clive goes home to see his father, is a masterpiece of writing, with compassion for someone "different", the ultimate outsider among so many others in this cast of characters. The unexpected turn at the end is marvelous. We are watching "Duchess of Duke Street" concomitantly with "TG" and the acting is so much better and deeper, the characters so much more filled out and the story lines so much better, that there is no comparison. We highly recommend that you stick with it. You will be rewarded. Incidentally, we got this out of our public library on VHS, so look for it there.

Upstairs/Downstairs Relocated in Manchester

[hjmsia49 · 7/10 · 22 March 2008]

What really struck me about this series was the numerous similarities between the characters in The Grand and Upstairs/Downstairs. As the Grand characters developed, I easily linked them to similar characters in the original classic U/D. Immediately evident is the sharp class distinction between the rich and poor. The Bannermans upstairs so resembled the Bellamys in U/D. Both husbands were well meaning oafs too busy to recognize the problems of their family members. They each had a despicable brother. Both wives had an affair though they claimed to love their husbands. Both sons were severely damaged by WWI and both owned a pistol. Both daughters were rebellious. Four members of each family with a strong grandmother showing up periodically. The roles of both head porter Collins and Head Butler Hudson were almost interchangeable. Both very observant, often shocked yet always subservient to their masters. Mr. Collins had Clive and Hudson had Edward as their loyal assistants. Head maid Kate was much like head maid Rose in U/D, always looking after the problem peers Monica and Sarah. Both series had one of the downstairs girls dying at the end of a rope. Each series had a villainous character downstairs, tormenting Monica at the Grand and Sarah in U/D (Lady Marjorie's ladies maid). The main difference in the two series is that few of the characters in the Grand were likable. Poor Susan Hampshire labored mightily for us to empathize with her Madam character but even her immense talents could not make Esme likable. Marcus Bannerman was a classic villain, well played by Mark McGann. While one can easily watch Upstairs/Downstairs repeatedly, The Grand is just too sordid for more than one viewing. The acting is excellent, the settings impressive and while it captures the essence of the period, it's not worth a second look.

Upstairs, Downstairs or Gosford Park w/o the Murder

[theprovinces · 5 March 2003]

There are two DVD box sets to the collection -- the first features eight episodes that introduce you to THE GRAND, the hotel and the owners, brothers John and Marcus Bannerman, and the hard-working staff. The second series features 10 episodes on three DVDs.

This is engaging and entertaining fare, and some of the storyline is repetitive and derivative, but the acting is very good and the sets and costumes are wonderful and convincing. There are some notable episodes that really stand out. One is on the second series and centers on Clive and his experience as deputy.

For the second series, the characters of Ruth and Stephen have been replaced with different actors who give slightly different edges to the characters (Ruth is more unstable rather than cold and stoic, and Stephen is more immature, albeit just as emotional).

There seems to be a consistent message present and that is that sheer luck can take you out of your social stratsophere, and no matter how well meaning or how hard you work, it's not bloody likely that you'll be able to successfully live in the world of another class.

An unexpected treasure

[eccentricemu · 8/10 · 17 March 2008]

I must confess I shop at bargain outlets and the best kept secrets are the DVD sections. Once you weed past the hundreds over produced fitness disks, you may just come upon a little gem marked $3.99. Such was the case with The Grand, Series Two. We were disappointed not to be able to find Series One in the stack, but have made it a quest. The costumes are beautiful and the characters little vignettes of humanity both good and bad. You endear the sweet characters and loathe the ones twisting a black mustache and plotting their next evil move. The Series does not pretend to paint a pretty picture. It promises "Secrets, Betrayal, Romance, Revenge and Danger." It delivers on each of these promises! The twenties were often seen as a wild and fun time, but they were a precursor for political disaster on a worldwide scale and I believe the series captured this well.

The Grand - a grand series

[drarthurwells · 10/10 · 6 March 2012]

This series centers on the people involved in a high class hotel: the family who runs it, the staff who work there, and the guests. The setting is Manchester, England, in 1920 and thereafter.

There are 18 episodes. I enjoyed it more as the episodes progressed, and increasingly came to appreciate it as special toward the end and to its conclusion. I recommend the viewer stick with it for at list 6 episodes, before rendering judgment on the whole series.

This production is first class in all respects: storyline, acting, dress and settings, musical accompaniment, etc. The plots of each episode are quite compelling, while underlying themes that develop in twists and turns across the plots are engrossing. Some very powerful drama is therein presented. If you like psychologically valid human relationship drama this should be of interest.

I rank it in the top 10 percent of movies or series I have seen (many thousands).

Season 1 Great. Season 2, Not so Much

[nataliewelcome · 7/10 · 5 January 2022]

Season 1 was hot like fire. Drama, suspense, intrigue, lots of chemistry...just great. I bit my nails, laughed, and nearly cried at one point. Exciting! But I'm a hopeless romantic, a period drama, pride and prejudice type girl.

Season 2 is another story. Two characters from Season 1 are replaced in season 2: Stephen and Ruth. The chemistry never quite existed after that, the acting not quite as good, and the icky story lines crashed/burned by episode 6.

10/10 on season 1.

3/10 on season 2.

a very good series

[clairelouise-ridgway · 10/10 · 10 May 2009]

I really liked the series and the characters. it shows what Manchester was like after the war the people who lived there. there are two brothers the older brother has control of the hotel while the other brother seems put out a bit. but is determind to get his own way and try and take over, the son rerurning from the war helps out.. and some of the staff want bigger things. miss harkness comes to stay at the hotel even though she is, from down London.. the series looks at the people at the hotel owners and staff etc.. I can't understand why some of the Americans dislike the series probably because they cannot understand the language, but at least the UK and come up with a lovely series..

Disappointment!

[tishengland · 6/10 · 12 November 2023]

I love all British period dramas, but I was disappointed with The Grand for two reasons. First, the storyline. Some episodes were just not believable, specifically the baby drama. Hiding the missed pregnancy and then wanting us to believe a wealthy woman like Ruth had no other options than to deal with such unscrupulous people to find a baby? Were we supposed to believe Marcus would be uninvolved with his wife's pregnancy care? Secondly, I expected better characters, which the British time periods are famous for. Regardless, I was hoping for a 3rd season since I felt the ending left you wondering!!!

Upstairs Downstairs Meets Scandal

[jessied44 · 9/10 · 25 December 2014]

This is a very well done series covering the years following WW I in the Grand Hotel with the lives of its owners, guests and employees tangled in a very well written historical soap opera. You get emotionally invested in who will rise, fall, be exposed and suffer their fates deserved and otherwise. At the center are the two brothers vying to own The Grand, manipulate their family members, control their wives, and deal with the finances of The Grand. Overseeing the employees and their tangled relationships are Mr. Collins and Mrs. Harvey who know all the secrets. I binge watched the whole series sacrificing sleep to what happens next and high recommend catching up for those who love well done British television.

sort of upstairs downstairs - season 2 Episode 6 10 stars

[braquecubism · 10/10 · 20 October 2019]

Someone liked season 1 better- not me. I thought season 2 held up and episode 6 was my favorite. Poignant, well written, I liked the interesting structure and story telling. the Grand a few 10 (3-1/2,4, 4-1/2, 5 star out of 5), some 7, 8, 9. Now I totally missed that they switched out 2 actors- please write them off - don't make a second Darin (Bewitched) - and I think I paid more attn to Season 2- I'd have to go back& rewatch Season 1- not sure want to. I thought Season 2 held up altho there were major changes in the Brother running the hotel - Season 2 Episode 6 was exceptional, and the end episode 10 was heart warming- Susan Hampshire and Tim Healey ere exceptional. I like this better than Downton Abbey which I stopped watching. I disagree with the "1 star"- it's a drama, so it will dramatize. People are struggling. the poor get the work they can. It's after WWI and there are homeless soldiers and not enough work, in a country that never had equal opportunity or class equality. woman are forced into prostitution to survive, or work as maids long hours for little money, food and a bed. as are men. 14 year old maids are naïve. Life is strict and demanding. Murder, tragedy sure. it's a drama, plus these are the things of life. the hotel manager is tough and demanding. Often woman in charge at the bottom are the worst task masters to keeping the status quo. woman are typically victimized by men. Women couldn't vote or own property- it went to their husbands. I am not an anglophile. And think their history is full of horrible stuff. I found the shows continued to hold my interest when they dismissed someone for a small infraction, they never seemed to realize how devastating this was to survival. I think this was true.

Grand It's Not

[Moviegoer19 · 5/10 · 11 February 2012]

Having just read most of the previous reviews, I can say that pretty much everything has already been said. For what it's worth I'll throw in my two cents, which is this: Watching the series on Netflix, I've gotten up to Episode 8, I believe it is. I'm into the second season and find now that I cannot continue watching. They lost me after the first episode of the second season with the change of actors in the roles of Stephen and Ruth. I don't recall ever seeing this happen before. Usually if an actor leaves, the character they're playing goes along with them. But to change actors mid-way? It's crazy, to me.

At first I didn't know who the new "Stephen" was. I thought he was a new character. Likewise with Ruth. The change of these two ruined the series for me. I had grown to like it; at the very beginning I thought I wouldn't continue watching it, as, someone very adequately expressed in a previous review, the characters are almost all reprehensible. But then I got over it and continued watching, even liking it. That is, until the producers decided that we, the viewers, wouldn't notice, or care, if out of the blue, two of the main characters suddenly looked and acted different.

So, it's curtains for me on The Grand. Too bad...

Upstairs, downstairs and (even) in my lady's chamber

[eddie-83 · 27 August 2000]

British period soap opera in the `Duchess of Duke Street' tradition set in a high-class Manchester hotel in the nineteen-twenties. A remarkably well preserved Susan Hampshire plays an aging courtesan to the gentry, Tim Healey is excellent as Jacob, the all-seeing Hall Porter with principles and Mark McGann is perfect casting as devious, supercilious hotel proprietor Marcus Bannerman.

However, a couple of cast changes to major characters cause confusion and some of the storylines, especially the surrogate baby issue, become extremely far-fetched.

Watch out for spunky little chambermaid Kate. She's played by Rebecca Callard, daughter of Beverley who was the lovely Liz Macdonald in the legendary `Coronation Street'. A soap dynasty in the making?

Typical English attention to production values by way of sets & costumes makes this undemanding entertainment.

A Show So Well Done, It Feels Like a More Modern Show

[udtknwme · 9/10 · 24 April 2015]

Davies was ahead of his time with the concept for this show, much of which seems more like something one would find on air now. I was so disappointed to find out that, not only is this nearly 20 years off air, but that there are only two seasons. This show has so much going on for viewers. Yes, the first three episodes are a bit tedious. But SOOOOOO worth it. I'm in the middle of season two and absolutely heartbroken that there isn't more coming. While I already respected Davies and his work on Dr. Who, this really trumps some of that. And if you are familiar with his Dr. Who work, you know that a Davies episode is going to take everything you know, or think you know, and turn it on it's head. This show does that every scene. And you are there going "wait, no, no, he didn't, he just didn't, NOOOOOOO!" and loving every minute of it while he does it. Unlike many other period dramas, this one really keeps true to the time. The characters, the dress, the 1920s, it's all so expertly crafted.

Mixed feelings on this one..

[katiebee09 · 4/10 · 9 December 2013]

Let me begin by saying the series never blew me away, but hooked me enough to see what happened through the end. During both seasons, I wasn't crazy about all the acting or how many episodes ended dramatically and began the next with all the excitement missing and momentum stalled out. I have to say though, Season 1 was much more composed and enjoyable than Season 2. One of the biggest issue was changing not one, but two actors playing roles of main characters. I literally had to replay the first part when they replace Stephen to figure out who the new guy was. Then, just as I was accepting the reality that they really had replaced Stephen, a new Ruth popped onto the screen! I literally groaned/grimaced/screamed in frustration. As the audience, I felt wronged to lose two actors in a span of seconds. Neither work for the roles, and it seems the characters are different people and less likable. Ruth was beyond irritating with her ridiculous trembling and sniveling all the time.

There were some interesting plot twists, some great actors and roles, and fantastic sets and costumes. Certain roles are entirely believable and very well done.

Overall, if you want to enjoy this show, watch the first season and quit while you're ahead. Season 2 goes a bit haywire for my taste in both plot, writing, and acting.

Meow!

[Blueghost · 27 October 2012]

Man, I haven't seen so many cat fights since General Hospital, Days of our Lives, or as the World Turns hit the mid-afternoon time slots and infested American television way back when.

"The Grand" is a series heralding from the mid 90s about the trials and tribulations of a family owned and run hotel in Manchester England circa the first World War. It's a period piece, and full of vibrant female characters and interpersonal conflicts that should appease the most ardent of female viewer-ship. Ostensibly we're looking the social schism of English mid upper society and their servants, and the intrigues that culminate from that rift and intermingling.

Blue bloods and working girls looking for survival, life and love, all the while internecine fighting takes place with the occasional slap, punch, scratch or hair pull after a verbal confrontation conflagrates.

As a guy who, to be honest, welcomes a break from the usual guns and spaceship fare I'm so often exposed to, I do have to admit to getting a little weary of a recycling of themes here. But, when you're aiming for the classic Jane Austen like set (perhaps fast forward 50 or so years), you're going to get a little repetition in the story and thematic departments.

Still, it is a visually attractive, well written, and exceptionally well acted piece of televised theatre. Exceptionally well shot for a TV production (not to mention very well lit, and I rarely say that about any TV show), this is a show to see, if only once.

The themes are adult in nature, so parents with pre-teen girls (or even boys if they're so inclined) might want to screen or caution their young ones as they watch.

Enjoy.

Yes, Yes, That's Him...

[thepagangoddess · 4/10 · 1 June 2014]

I usually take a moment when I am about to watch a show, (or, as soon as I start it), to check out all the people in the cast, (on IMDb), as I HATE thinking, "I know that person... Now, what were they in...?" The only thing I care to tell you about this show is, Stephen Bannerman is played by Stephen Moyer, (Bill Compton from TRUE BLOOD...). Please ignore the other 'Stephen'. There are a lot of "uh-oh"'s and "No, she didn't" while you are watching this, but they are trying really hard to be a soap opera within a mini- series. Or, is that a mini-series within a soap opera? ~~~Spoiler~~~ If you liked Stephen Moyer's soft, Southern accent in the last 6 years in True Blood, you will shocked to hear his native, British accent. I know, right? You may now resume the 20 year-old version of Upstairs/Downstairs meets Downton Abbey... Sorry, Brits, but that is all we know about you guys. :}

Three-Dimensional Soap Opera

[DaveH-5 · 18 September 2003]

Of the many extended series from England, I think this is the best conceived & written. 3 dimensional, complex characters, rejection of obvious, feel good, wrap-it-up-neatly plot lines make it the most fascinating of classy soap operas. Flawless acting, direction. Engrossing.

Misnomer

[dan.adams · 1/10 · 22 February 2012]

The Grand,it isn't. This series is a sort of,television "monument to sleaze". There are simply no likable characters and some are so evil an average guest at the Grand would have to think twice or thrice before daring to leave their room! If you are into,suicide,murder,wicked ways and weird weird surrogacy, plus heaps of infidelity,"The Grand" will appeal. Set in post WWI Manchester,it is the tale of the decline and fall of a family of erstwhile successful hoteliers,the Bannermans. Downstairs,the Dickensian staff,with a corporate IQ of 40,are getting restless-and into trouble. Upstairs,self interest prevails. The naval gazing Bannermans pursue as many hurtful and self-destructive lines of behaviour their idle minds can conjure up. My advice,stay at the Midland!

A grand, addictive English soap

[earlytalkie · 29 January 2012]

This series had me hooked from the first episode. The period stuff was done well, in the English tradition, and the acting and writing were first-rate. Yes, the majority of the characters are reprehensible, but they are human, and yes, justice does prevail for them. All of the actors are good, with the magnificent Susan Hampshire a stand-out in a well-modulated performance as a Madam with a heart-of-gold. The characters change from season one to season two, but the interest never wanes. I do not understand the negative reviews that I have seen for this series, but I really enjoyed it. Further, this series had a most satisfactory conclusion which really left me feeling uplifted.

Kind of rediculous

[betsydholtsclaw · 1/10 · 2 February 2021]

We watched The Grand all the way through both seasons. It's one of the worst BBC series we've seen. We tend to like them very much, but this one is hard to follow. In season 2, so many of the characters were re-cast it was hard to figure out who was who. I wouldn't recommend it.

A failure

[overseer-3 · 6 May 2004]

"The Grand" is nothing like "Upstairs, Downstairs" or "The Duchess of Duke Street", or even like the original "Forsyte Saga" series. It doesn't possess their superlative qualities, their excellent, realistic production values. Those series had sympathetic characters, and by the time you were done watching them you felt like you were being wrenched away from beloved family members! There is no such feeling here with "The Grand" and its cast of largely unsavory characters.

It's actually a relief to STOP watching this series! All the characters, even the kindest one - Kate the servant girl - are out for Numero Uno, they are selfish to the core, and there is little feeling of bonding or real caring between them - and that is why one of their own ends up swinging from the gallows. In "Upstairs, Downstairs" we know that the aristocracy cares about their servants living below. In "The Grand" that feeling is almost completely lacking. Several times during the show long term servants are threatened to be fired, for example, and then almost immediately they are re-instated. "Oops, sorry." No one behaved that way back in 1920. Your "yes" meant "yes", and your "no" meant "no".

The writing is not cohesive or spellbinding enough to keep your attention going for long. Ridiculous mistakes were made in the scripts for these shows: for instance, why would the police arrive to arrest Monica the servant girl for murder in the public foyer of the hotel, without first going upstairs to look at the dead man and the evidence? Bizarre and extremely unrealistic. Who wrote this, a nine year old?

Then we have the smarmy situation of a man lusting after his brother's wife - for the entire part one and into part two of the series, and then the story line is just dropped abruptly like a hot potato, and it goes into other unrealistic directions - including black market baby selling and more prostitution stories! Who cares about these reprehensible characters?

It looked to me like the writer was just grasping at straws....what can I come up with next that's titillating enough to hold their attention? Then they change two major cast members at the start of series two, which disrupts the feeling of the entire show and its flow of events; in addition, since part two was made a year or so after part one, all the cast members who were kept on immediately looked older.

But the worst flaw in "The Grand" is one that seems to be common today for too many writers and producers and directors of historical series and films. That is they insist on applying modern cultural and societal mores to a time period which was much more conservative than our own, and which kept these issues - if they even came up at all - private and between families. Not broadcast to an entire hotel filled with strangers. Again, doing this does not endear an intelligent audience to a vintage period story, because it is artificial and forced, almost as if someone is trying to push their own immoral agenda on their audience.

Skip it.

Tv print from the 90's

[4friedchickensandacoke · 5/10 · 3 July 2022]

Bit disappointed the series was not in high definition and a 4:3 aspect ratio in 480p. But beggars can't be choosers, the set decorations were above average. British production as always is very good.

They should have stopped at season one

[tramainepaul · 21 March 2014]

I thoroughly enjoyed season one. I became so engrossed I actually imagined they were real people. I felt for them. I was there. The scenes were amazing: 1) the son kissing/sobbing his love who admitted her true nature; 2) the wife and the brother looking at each other while the symphony played in the last episode of season one. It was spellbinding, another world, a dream. I was jolted, rather violently out of this dream during season two. The people were replaced with characters of themselves, who talked differently, interacted differently, and in some cases looked different. Actors/Actresses who were amazing were switched for horrible versions the second season. It would have been better to have gotten rid of them in this case. The script seemed forced and the characters who you grew to know and understand were acting grossly unlike themselves. I honestly could only get through two episodes of the second season. So sad. I will tell anyone, watch the 1st Season of the Grand...and that's it.

Couldn't take it...

[notmicro · 19 April 2003]

I rented the DVDs and started watching this series with great interest and high expectations, particularly due to the writer, and the presence of Susan Hampshire. Very rapidly I became turned off by the whole thing, and quit half-way through the second episode, I just couldn't take it any more. I found the characters somehow rather repellent, and felt that the writing was just awful, particularly the extremely heavy-handed emphasis on the leering "evil brother and his nefarious deeds"; I wondered why the producers hadn't given him a long mustache to twirl! I don't mind melodrama, but this one pushed the concept over the cliff for me.