Skip Navigation

A look back at 50 years of Masterpiece

Celebrate the iconic series that introduced generations of PBS viewers to the delights of British drama.

  • Fred Vigeant
Jenna Coleman as Queen Victoria in Victoria on Masterpiece

 Courtesy of ITV plc (ITV Global Entertainment Ltd)

Jenna Coleman as Queen Victoria in Victoria on Masterpiece

Watch Masterpiece 50 Fabulous Years! premiering Sunday, November 29 at 8:00pm on WITF. You can stream WITF TV live on our website and through the PBS Video app on Roku, Apple TV and iPhone and Android smartphones. The program is also available on-demand through the PBS Video app.

Join WITF for a celebration of the iconic PBS series originally called Masterpiece Theatre — the riveting stories, fabulous performances, magnificent costumes and astonishing ability to transport viewers to another time and place. From Upstairs Downstairs and I, Claudius to The Jewel in the Crown and Downton Abbey, Masterpiece has stood the test of time and introduced generations of PBS viewers to the delights of British drama. Hosted by award-winning actor and author Alan Cumming.

Masterpiece Theatre began its incredible 50-year run on January 10, 1971, becoming the longest-running, most perennially watched weekly primetime drama series in American television history. Since then, the series has won 83 Primetime Emmys® and 18 Peabody Awards, seven Golden Globes and two Oscars.

Masterpiece 50 Fabulous Years! features in-depth interviews with Robin Ellis, who starred as the original Poldark and who made an appearance in the current series; Sir Derek Jacobi, who starred in the title role of I, Claudius; and Phyllis Logan, best known to Americans for her portrayal of Mrs. Hughes on Downton Abbey. Others interviewed include Downton Abbey writer and creator Julian Fellowes; Victoria writer and creator Daisy Goodwin; Rebecca Eaton, Executive Producer of the series for 35 years, now Executive-Producer-at-Large; and Susanne Simpson, current Executive Producer of Masterpiece.

Masterpiece 50 Fabulous Years! is also full of video clips from classics such as Upstairs Downstairs, Jewel in the Crown, I Claudius, Sherlock and current fan favorites, including Victoria, Endeavour, Poldark, Grantchester, and many more.

Watch Masterpiece 50 Fabulous Years! Sunday November 29 at 8:00pm.  The program repeats November 29 at 9:30pm, December 5 at 9:00pm and December 13 at 8:00pm on WITF.  You can now watch WITF TV live through our new webstream available through our website and through the PBS Video app on Roku, Apple TV and iPhone and Andriod smart phones. The program is also available on-demand through the PBS Video app.

Support for WITF is provided by:

Become a WITF sponsor today »

Support for WITF is provided by:

Become a WITF sponsor today »

Up Next
Programs

Lea Salonga takes centerstage on Great Performances