"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, Highlands, Scotland, UK

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Trivia:

Lorraine Pilkington (who plays Katrina Finlay) married series director Simon Massey.

Quotes:

Paul Bowman: Never had you down as a team player, Isobel.
Isobel Anderson: I could be, with the right person.
[Paul passes Isobel a flask, their fingers touch]
Paul Bowman: And who might that be?
Isobel Anderson: I once thought you and I, maybe. Bit late for that now, I suppose.
[Lucy walks in and interrupts them]

Movie Connections:

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

Funny in a quiet kind of way

Monarch of the Glen is a quiet kind of comedy, with a good helping of drama, a bit of sly, smirky humor and a pinch of sentimentality. It doesn't seem to be widely accepted, probably because there is no sex or violence. Sheesh, I can't even remember hearing a four letter word. The characters are real, they are funny and the show is engaging. One of the nice things about this show is that everyone gets a chance to shine - not just the young attractive leads. Golly, middle-aged and gray, is actually portrayed as cool! (Gasp!) Molly, the mother, is viewed as attractive - she has a life beyond being the mother. Even the "servant types" have their bits. It's not rock solid, Monarch does get a little "soap opera-y" every now and then, what with a missing daughter or brother turning up, but it's a far better thing to watch than most of the rubbish on the tube today.