Indian Summers on PBS, Starting Tonight on Masterpiece

Indian Summers premieres tonight on PBS “Masterpiece,” likely to be the biggest fan favorite since “Downton Abbey.”

Set in a subtropical paradise during the twilight era of the British Empire, Indian Summers explores the collision of the ruling class English with their Indian subjects, and the intricate game of power, politics, and passion that ensues. Julie Walters (“Harry Potter,” “Educating Rita”) stars as Cynthia Coffin, the glamorous doyenne of an English social club, with co-stars Henry Lloyd-Hughes, Jemima West, Nikesh Patel, Roshan Seth, and Lillete Dubey.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPcFoV6ktdA

Told from both the English and Indian perspectives, the drama unfolds as illicit agreements, romance, and revolution are revealed. Though the English socialites are having the time of their lives in Simla, the local Indians have started to call for national independence, a path which is quickly rendering the world’s greatest empire helpless. As pressure builds, the two sides alternately clash and merge in a passionate and dangerous game.

It is already a huge hit in the UK.