2008 Winter TV Preview: Masterpiece Theater

Masterpiece Theater

Premieres: Sunday, January 13th at 9:00 p.m. EST

Network: PBS

Creator(s): Larry McMurtry, Adam Shulman

Website: PBS.org

Masterpiece Theater has been around since the early 70’s and in general, features adaptations of novels as well as biographies.

Starting this month, the series will be covering a whole block of films adapted from Jane Austen Novels. Starting with Persuasion, which will air this Sunday night, the following Sundays will include Northanger Abbey, Mansfield Park, Pride and Prejudice (Mmm Colin Firth!) and Emma. For the full schedule, click here.

I can’t say that I’m a huge fan of Austen’s novels. Too many “hithers” and “thithers” perhaps but if there’s one thing that can be said about them, it’s that though the social rules, clothing and vernacular may have changed drastically, the stories are still so accessible even in these modern times.

If anything, check out some of these movies if only to familiarize yourself with the story that you can better pretend as though you’ve read the books on the off chance that someone you want to impress strikes up a conversation about them.

For the full 2008 Winter TV Premiere Schedule: CLICK HERE

Assistant Managing Editor

Kelly joined CinemaBlend as a freelance TV news writer in 2006 and went on to serve as the site’s TV Editor before moving over to other roles on the site. At present, she’s an Assistant Managing Editor who spends much of her time brainstorming and editing feature content on the site. She an expert in all things Harry Potter, books from a variety of genres (sci-fi, mystery, horror, YA, drama, romance -- anything with a great story and interesting characters.), watching Big Brother, frequently rewatching The Office, listening to Taylor Swift, and playing The Sims.