January Sunday evenings on network television usually don’t offer much, though the last few years has seen PBS step up to the plate with some great programming.  That’s the case again this year.  This past Sunday saw the season four premieres of All Creatures Great and Small and Miss Scarlet and the Duke.  It’s always great taking a quick trip to the Lake District, which is the setting for All Creatures.  (The show always airs in Great Britain the autumn before it airs in America.  I did my best to watch an episode while I was actually in the Lake District this past October, but I only got the first few minutes in before the evening moved on.)  And while one major cast member has stepped away for the season, there seems to be plenty of excitement to have in Darrowby.  Here’s the season four trailer:

The first episode was enjoyable, though it’s always a bit difficult watching animals in distress.  I believe there are five more episodes and a Christmas special left to air, which takes us up through most of February.

We’re also getting another season of Miss Scarlet and the Duke.  It’s funny: as much as I enjoy British television, I don’t always enjoy everything the BBC or PBS produces.  Miss Scarlet and the Duke has been an exception.  The writing is smart and the acting is quality.  And it’s just different enough to stand out.  Here’s the trailer for the new season:

I haven’t watched the first episode yet: it’s a bit like rationing for me.  But I am looking forward to starting the season some time this week.