November is here, and you know what that means: family holiday planning is in full swing! Whether you’re expecting to meet up with dozens of cousins, or just a few close family members, hosting a friendsgiving, or eschewing the holiday all together, don’t worry: we’ve got dramas to fit any mood.
Looking forward to our next recipe edition (coming Nov. 17!) for Thanksgiving inspo,
Jackie Bruleigh, Local Digital Content Editor
P.S. In our last edition, we had technical difficulties with a few links, and if you opened it right away you might not have been able to view those videos. In case you’re still interested, we’ve got: Fred’s turnip surfeit, pickled beets, transformed turnips, and roasted root veggies.
This is a web edition of GBH's The Deep Dive, a weekly newsletter bringing you the best GBH has to offer.
Dramas for Every Situation from MASTERPIECE
The Crowd Pleaser: All Creatures Great and Small
I don’t care WHO you’re gathering with this holiday season, I have yet to meet anyone who isn’t a little bit charmed by this show. Stop the family feud in its tracks with the cute animals, sweet friendships, and beautiful sceneryof the Yorkshire Dales!
The One with Hijinks: The Durrells in Corfu
Shenanigans, hijinks, and tomfoolery can all be a lot of fun, especially if they’re happening on screen and not in your actual environs. The Durrells certainly brings that fun, plus stunning locations and the sense of peace that comes from knowing the capers won’t get between you and a delicious feast.
For the Dramatic Family: The Forsytes
Maybe your family is less charming, more arch asides and scheming siblings. In that case, The Forsytes may be the show for you. Revel in the sumptuous period clothing, and the knowledge that you’re probably safe from this level of backstabbing.
For the REALLY Dramatic Family: Wuthering Heights
I don’t know your situation, but I dearly hope none of our readers are dealing with this amount of family drama. For the cynical among us, what better way to celebrate avoiding family togetherness than a famous gothic tale of disastrous romance, angst, and revenge?
Traveling for the Holidays
One thing you can count on in November: travel challenges brought on by the mass attempt to get home for the holidays. In that spirit, here are a few shows that will transport you to distant locales, no gas money or long lines required!
Italy with Signora Volpe
What do you get when a British spy visits Italy for a family wedding and ends up solving a mystery, moving to Umbria, and meeting a handsome local cop? A show that I’m describing as “Under the Tuscan Sun with detectives.”
Australia with Mystery Road
In this new-to-GBH show, journey to the Australian outback, where a detective and a local cop team up to try and find two missing boys, and discover even more secrets along the way.
New Zealand with Happiness
Sometimes ending up at home is that last thing you want. In Happiness, a young Broadway director is forced to move home to New Zealand, where he gets caught up in the literal drama of his mum’s small town theater company.
Chile with Hijos del Desierto
Speaking of drama: this series spans three decades of turmoil between Chilean brothers who are separated at birth. In Spanish with English subtitles.
Scotland with Guilt from MASTERPIECE
Maybe you don’t want to go somewhere warm? Journey instead to Scotland for this dark farce that provides a silver lining: your family could always be worse!
Recipe of the Week
Coconut Layer Cake
The team at Milk Street’s My Family Recipe and baker Cheryl Day prepare Coconut Layer Cake based on an iconic recipe from Grandma Margaret Newborn.
Even More Drama: MASTERPIECE Edition
* Excited for new seasons of our winter shows? Don’t miss the preview for The Forsytes, Season Two and Miss Scarlet, Season Seven.
* We also got a look ahead to The Marlow Murder Club, Season Four — here’s everything we know now.
* Speaking of mysteries: the cast of Marble Hall Murders sat down to chat about whether they could get away with a crime in real life. 👀
* And, finally, looking for your next mysterious read or watch? MASTERPIECE put together a guide to Marble Hall Murders writer Anthony Horowitz’s books and shows.
GBH Birthday Trivia
How deep (pardon the pun) is your GBH knowledge? Find out by taking our new weekly trivia quiz!
This week’s question: The first television program to air on GBH 2 was a children’s show. What was the name of this program?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Off Topic
1. How’s this for an “on topic” Off Topic? MASTERPIECE fans, now’s your chance to win a dream Viking voyage. Learn more and enter the sweepstakes here.
2. 'Tis the season: Go leaf peeping with NOVA!
3. In memoriam: A look back at the vital work and impact of iconic labor activist Dolores Huerta.
