Season 3 of “Downton Abbey” airs tonight, picking up with post-WWI life in Britian’s famous castle

Lady Fiona Carnarvon (in blue plaid) is the down-to-earth duchess who actually lives at Downton Abbey (Highclere Castle). Here, she is pictured with her husband, Geordie, the Earl of Carnarvon, her beloved dogs, and some of the 90 people who form the crew of the internationally acclaimed “Downton Abbey.”

There are many reasons why millions of us will be tuning to watch the returning “Downton Abbey” this evening on PBS.  Even my snootiest of “non-television” friends were transfixed with the rollercoaster drama provided by last year’s season 2, which became the most-watched series ever for Masterpiece.  More than 17 million viewers tuned in across its seven episodes.  Seasons 1 and 2 together have won nine Pimetime Emmy Awards and a Golden  Globe for Best Mimi-Series.

If you’re a fan, stay tuned to ARThound for an interview with Lady Fiona Carnarvon, the down-to-earth duchess who actually lives at Downton Abbey (Highclere Castle).  She was a practicing accountant when she met her husband, Geordie, in 1996 and, in 2001, they took over the tenure of Highclere Castle, Berkshire, becoming the eighth Earl and Countess of Carnarvon.  Of course, she talks about meeting the program’s newcomer, Shirley MacLaine, who spotted some paranormal activity at Highclere Castle while gearing up for her performance as Martha Levinson, Cora’s (Elizabeth McGovern) liberal American mother, who trades some heated barbs with Violet (Maggie Smith), the prim Dowager Countess.

Season 3 airs over seven Sundays beginning with a two-hour premiere this evening, January 6, 2013, at 9 p.m. PST on PBS and concluding with a ninety-minute finale on February 17, 2013.  The series’ total running time is 9 1.2 hours.  More info: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/downtonabbey/

ARThound is back from London

Dining on the Move: ARThound experiences the golden age of travel on the luxurious British Pullman, sister train to the legendary Venice Simplon Orient-Express. As the vintage train departs London’s Victoria’s rail station for a journey into Britain’s countryside, passengers are served chilled champagne and sumptuous cuisine. What hat to wear? One co-created with uber-trendy London milliner, Katherine Elizabeth, who designed the hat for the new Kate Middleton doll.

The Summer Olympics in London ended last Sunday and ARThound is back–with dozens of stories to tell.  Not only did I attend the games, but I also participated in the London 2012 Festival, part of Britain’s larger Cultural Olympiad, which continues through September 9, 2012, the final day of the Paralympic Games.  The London 2012 Festival is actually a countrywide event that features an estimated 12,000 performances including art exhibitions, theatrical performances and classical concerts.  What a marvelous time to visit England–when everyone was celebrating and freebies were falling from the skies!  Stay tuned to ARThound for interviews with London insiders, celebs, curators, foodies, including Ernst Vegelin, Head of The Courtauld Gallery and Lady Fiona Carnarvon, the down-to-earth duchess who actually lives at Downton Abbey (Highclere Castle).