"Monarch of the Glen" (2000) TV series 2000-2005

User Rating:

7.4/10   

Writer:

Michael Chaplin (series creator)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Release Date:

1 January 2001 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Plot:

Archie MacDonald, a young restaurateur is called back to his childhood home of Glenbogle where he is told he is the new Laird of Glenbogle.

Plot Keywords:

Laird | Friend | Scottish Highlands | Dysfunctional Family | Castle

Awards:

1 win & 2 nominations

Cast

Alexander Morton	...	Golly Mackenzie / ... (64 episodes, 2000-2005)
Susan Hampshire	...	Molly MacDonald / ... (60 episodes, 2000-2005)
Hamish Clark	...	Duncan McKay / ... (53 episodes, 2000-2005)
Dawn Steele	...	Lexie McTavish / ... (51 episodes, 2000-2004)
Alastair Mackenzie	...	Archie MacDonald (43 episodes, 2000-2003)
Lloyd Owen	...	Paul Bowman (28 episodes, 2002-2005)
Richard Briers	...	Hector MacDonald / ... (27 episodes, 2000-2005)

Runtime:

50 min (seasons 1-3) | 60 min (seasons 4-7)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Australia:G (some episodes) | Australia:PG (some episodes) | Singapore:PG | UK:PG

Filming Locations:

Ardverikie estate, Highland, Scotland, UK

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Trivia:

Six known Lairds of Glenbogle are: Bertie MacDonald, Hamish MacDonald, Hector MacDonald (Richard Briers), Archie MacDonald (Alastair Mackenzie), Lexie MacDonald (Dawn Steele) and Paul Bowman (Lloyd Owen).

Quotes:

Molly MacDonald: Listen, mush! I can boogie with the best, dance 'til dawn and drink 'til doomsday! So don't give me this old routine! Or I shall give you an injury from which you may never recover!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps: Fish (#3.2)" (2003)

Entertaining and engaging

I watched this when it was first screened in early 2000 and eagerly await the new series starting in January 2001. It was a thoroughly engaging series that was fun to watch.

The Scottish castle and backdrop make a pleasant setting and the characters are delightful. I hope it will continue for more series and the excellent cast will re-appear. The story in a way is incidental. There is a place for this sort of drama which is neither heavy nor shallow. It just makes you feel good - quality for a popular audience.

If you have a good script, a good cast and a committed production team, then drama could always be like this. I wish it was. Who needs soaps when you can have the real thing. More please!