Beloved BBC series Monarch of the Glen is getting a reimagined reboot. PBS Masterpiece will bring it to life with a big change from the original version: In this iteration, the main character will be a woman, London lawyer Isla Campbell. The original series centered on a man named Archie MacDonald, played by Alastair Mackenzie. The new series is produced by the same company behind the original.
Here’s everything we know about PBS‘s Monarch of the Glen.
What is Monarch of the Glen about?
When high-flying London lawyer Isla Campbell finds herself back at her family’s crumbling Highland estate for her estranged father’s funeral, she expects to be gone in days. Instead, she discovers she has inherited 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, brother and sister will have to find a way to save the struggling estate before time runs out and they lose it for good.
The show will transport us to the stunning Scottish Highlands while introducing a rich ensemble of unforgettable new characters. This family saga promises heart, humor and romance — bound together by breathtaking landscapes, roaring hearths, and the people who call this wild corner of the world home.
The original Monarch of the Glen had a similar premise. A young London restaurateur, Archie, returns to his Scottish Highland home to revive his family’s struggling estate and reconcile with its quirky inhabitants and traditions. BBC’s Monarch of the Glen ran from 2000 to 2005 and had seven seasons total.
When does PBS’s Monarch of the Glen come out?
The reboot is currently in development, so a premiere date will be announced at a later time. Casting announcements will also be shared later.
The series is created, written and executive produced by Jeremy Brock (A Very Royal Scandal, The Last King of Scotland, Mrs. Brown), alongside writer Stephen Greenhorn (Sunshine on Leith, Dept. Q, River City). Tom Vaughan (Doctor Foster, Victoria) serves as director and executive producer.
The series will be produced by Ecosse Films, makers of the original Monarch of the Glen series, and MASTERPIECE PBS, in association with Northern Ireland Screen and global distribution partner Banijay Rights. Production and filming will take place in Scotland and Northern Ireland later this year. The series will be shown on Channel 5 in the U.K.
PBS is calling it a “fresh reimagining” that will return to the Scottish Highlands for a “rich, romantic, and humorous family saga rooted in legacy, love, and survival.”
How many episodes are in Monarch of the Glen Season 1?
Monarch of the Glen Season 1 will have six episodes.
Monarch of the Glen, Series Premiere, TBA, PBS