Remember the days when BBC drama, Monarch of the Glen, was a Sunday night staple? Two decades after it last aired, the beloved series is making a comeback in what might just be our TV reboot of dreams. But it won’t quite be as you remember it. Channel 5 is picking up the baton and producing a refreshed version with a surprise change – namely, lead Archie (previously played by Alastair Mackenzie) will be replaced with a female lead character.
In what promises to bring the Highland favourite to a whole new audience, the reboot will feature the serene Scottish landscapes we know and love – plus the family feuds and warm humour. But the six-part series will be a full reimagining with high-flying London lawyer Isla Campbell at the heart of it.
While we patiently wait for the reboot to arrive on our screens, here’s everything you need to know about the new Monarch of the Glen reboot, including the full plot and how to watch it.
What was the original Monarch of the Glen series about?
BBC
The drama, which ran for five series on the BBC between 2000 and 2005, starred Alastair Mackenzie as Archie MacDonald, a young London restaurateur who became laird of his childhood home, Glenbogle, in the Scottish Highlands. Loosely based on the Highland Novels series by Sir Compton Mackenzie, each series centred around Archie’s work to restore the estate while dealing with his eccentric family members. The final two series brought in a new Laird, Paul Bowman (Lloyd Owen), as he tried to modernise the estate.
The original cast also included the likes, Richard Briers as Hector MacDonald, Susan Hampshire as Molly MacDonald, Lorraine Pilkington as Katrina Finlay, Alexander Morton as Golly Mackenzie, Dawn Steele as Lexie MacDonald, Hamish Clark as Duncan McKay and Lloyd Owen as Paul Bowman. It was a heartwarming drama that was a mainstay of Sunday night TV for many years, with fans keen for its return ever since the finale in October 2005.
What will happen in Channel 5’s Monarch of the Glen reboot?
UKTV
The reboot, which will air on Channel 5 in the UK, will take us back to the stunning Scottish Highlands but introduce us to a whole new cast of characters. At the centre of the story will be high-flying London lawyer Isla Campbell, who finds herself back at her family’s crumbling Highland estate for her estranged father’s funeral.
Isla she expects to be gone in days, but instead, she discovers she’s inherited far more than she bargained for: a million-pound debt, a bank closing in, and a brother who refuses to let go of their ancestral home. Under the same roof for the first time in years, the siblings must find a way to save the struggling estate before time runs out and they lose it once and for all.
BBC
Writer and executive producer, Jeremy Brock, says of the series: “When I was offered the chance to re-imagine Monarch of the Glen, I leapt at it. I’m hugely excited by the opportunity to tell a story of family life and finding your place in our hectic world – one that celebrates the warmth, humour and eccentricities of a special community, with both optimism and authenticity. Hope and joy are a currency in short supply right now, and the Highlands – one of the most magical places on Earth – felt like exactly the right home for them.”
Robert Bernstein, Company Director, Head of Drama, Producer at Ecosse Films, added: “Monarch of the Glen holds a very special place in our hearts, and we are absolutely thrilled to be bringing this beloved show to the next generation of viewers. We are delighted to have a writer of Jeremy Brock’s extraordinary calibre at the helm of the series and the outstandingly talented team that is boarding the project. At a time when family and community feel more important than ever, we can’t wait to welcome our audience back to the Highlands to fall in love with Monarch of the Glen all over again.”
Is Monarch of the Glen good?
UKTV
Yes, it’s up there with shows like Downton Abbey and Midsomer Murders in terms of escapism. When it first aired, fans called it the “best Scottish series in decades” and it was nominated for Best Loved Drama at the 2000 TV Quick Awards and Best Drama Programme at the 2005 BAFTA Scotland Awards.
How can I watch the Monarch of the Glen reboot?
Channel 5 hasn’t yet shared a release date for the Monarch of the Glen reboot, but we do know that it will go into production later this year. As soon as we have a confirmed date, we’ll share it here. In the meantime, you can watch the original series on BBC iPlayer.
What other comedy dramas can I watch now?
Rob Baker Ashton/AcornTV
For a cosy crime series with a side of comedy, we’d recommend Queens of Mystery. Set in the charming village of Wildemarsh, the series follows Detective Sergeant Matilda Stone (Olivia Vinall) and her three crime-writing aunts who also help her solve crime. You can watch Queens of Mystery now on U. For something really comforting, try All Creatures Great and Small. The beloved drama tells the story of veterinarian James Herriot who deals with all sorts of livestock dilemmas and pet rescues. You can watch all seven series of All Creatures Great and Small on BBC iPlayer.
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