Radio Times: Review by:; Alison Graham

It’s September 1938 and storm clouds gather over Europe as Hitler eyes up the Sudetenland. At 165 Eaton Place peaky Lady Agnes faints prettily and with porcelain fragility after the birth of her baby, while her husband, Hallam, misses his dead mother, whose earthly remains are in an urn on the mantelpiece. He’s also preoccupied with Prime Minister Chamberlain’s weasly attempts to appease that awful Mr Hitler and can only look on, appalled, as the PM gets his piece of paper.

As we return for a second series from the pen of Heidi "Call the Midwife" Thomas, the household prepares for war. Pompous Mr Pritchard is practising his air raid warden duties as the atmosphere becomes increasingly fervid.

There are rumblings of a more domestic kind as Hallam’s hearty archaeologist aunt (Alex Kingston) makes herself unpopular. And there’s a new housemaid, who catches the eye of the muscled, manly chauffeur. Escapism, pure and simple.

About this programme

1/6. Drama and intrigue with the aristocrats and serving staff of 165 Eaton Place as it opens its doors once more. September 1938, and as dark clouds gather over Europe, Hallam's preoccupation with Nazi Germany leads him into dangerous waters overseas. Back home, Lady Agnes is frail following the birth of her second child, and finds great support in the forthright Aunt Blanche, who has made herself comfortable at Eaton Place following the funeral of her sister Lady Holland. In the servants' quarters, Rose is taken ill with TB, so the staff welcome spirited new maid Beryl, who catches Harry's eye, while events upstairs end in a startling revelation about Mr Pritchard. Keeley Hawes, Ed Stoppard, Alex Kingston and Adrian Scarborough star.