M&L, a show I would normally not even give the time of day, however, I 'stumbled' across it, & just watched the 3 part series for the second time. Normally, I am not a person who writes reviews on anything, food, hotels, but was horrified to read several very sad and damming reviews. I thought this series was hilarious, seems like the crew involved in getting this up and running were in-sync to capture the audience, even in a northern, tropical, coastal town in Australia. I was cringing (with joy) at the antics the characters were led, to create their deceptive ways. Thought all the characters were a brilliantly cast group, the plots & schemes totally hilarious. There is one very unfortunate item. The series has such a flowing, strong, story trail to continue production on further shows, but, apparently, and sadly, this is not happening. I think the network here in Australia that ran the series, made a gross error in running the 3 episodes over 3 days. Perhaps, to enhance the experience should have run one episode per week. Initially, I had no idea there were only 3 parts. For what it's worth, that's my take on this delightful production .... brilliant, 5 star!!

I really didn't think I would like this but as each episode played I grew to love it more and more and was actually quite upset when it finished. I've been to Rye and so got a lot out of watching the series and trying to familiarise myself with the streets and the extraordinary church. I thought each character was well cast and I loved the cat and mouse games between Mapp and Lucia and not knowing what plot each one would come up with next. I thought Miranda Richardson was fantastic in her portrayal of Mapp, including her fake teeth and the way it forced her to talk.... very funny. The characterisation was brilliant, as was the set and the way Tilling looked exactly as you would imagine. Had I seen the 1980's version I would be able to understand why a few of these reviews favour the former series, however I feel in love with it and just wish there were another series to follow.

A truly masterful portrayal of what is around us in parochial England . Having enjoyed and seen the previous 1980s series the acting is faultless in the 2014 series with careful referencing to EF Benson in style . The set for the reconstruction of the garden room is exquisite and direction pulls no punches in showing the viewer what exists in middle class england with folk that are bored minds and think up mischief. I found it highly amusing in true style of the league of gentleman team . I do hope that another series will follow from Rye to compliment this series . Very glad that messrs Gatiss and Pembertpn have contributed to this genre of comedy

Set in the chocolate-box town of Rye in Sussex, this English comedy of manners was easily the best thing on British television this Christmas, as far as I am concerned. I just wish the BBC had produced more than three episodes of "Mapp and Lucia", although I have a sneaky suspicion there will be more in the pipeline.Based on a series of humorous novels written by EF Benson in the 1920s and 1930s, series one begins with the pretentious Lucia arriving to spend the summer in Tilling (Rye) with her effeminate male friend Georgie in tow. Lucia renews her acquaintance with bumptious Miss Mapp, the queen bee of Tilling (in her estimation anyway), and from there on in, the two ladies lock horns. "Mapp and Lucia" has a cast of the most eccentric characters, who create the most absurd situations. This could be dismissed as pure froth in pretty scenery, except the author has created (for me anyway), instantly recognisable people and written the most wonderful lines for them. English middle-class aspirations and affectations are ridiculed, as the protagonists compete socially, involving the hapless inhabitants of Tilling in their increasingly frenetic plots. The critics have compared this TV series unfavourably with an earlier one starring Prunella Scales and Geraldine McEwan. Having neither read the books or seen the 1980s version, I am not in the position to comment. However, I shall immediately be watching all three episodes again on BBC iPlayer, and ordering the DVD when they are out."Au Reservoir"Cheeseandchocolatemonster