LOS ANGELES, Aug. 8 (UPI) -- PBS says it is thrilled with the reviews and ratings its British period drama "Downton Abbey" earned when it aired as part of its "Masterpiece" programming.
Written by Julian Fellowes and initially broadcast by ITV in the United Kingdom before PBS picked it up, the show chronicles the lives of the staff and residents at an English country mansion before and during World War I. The first season earned 11 Emmy nominations.
A second run of episodes is to air on the American public broadcasting network over seven weeks starting in January, EW.com said.
In talking to television critics in Los Angeles recently, "Masterpiece" Executive Producer Rebecca Eaton called "Downton Abbey" "a gift from God."
"We have a hit!" EW.com quoted Eaton as saying.
The series stars Maggie Smith, Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, Penelope Wilton and Brendan Coyle.
