Chatsworth Estate, England (Secrets of Chatsworth House) – Inspiration for Pemberly? PBS Special

Most can only imagine the hidden stories of a place like Chatsworth Estate in England. Now, you’ll get special access directly to the secrets because this upcoming Sunday (July 14) at 8 pm on PBS. The one-hour special is titled “Secrets of Chatsworth.”

Chatsworth Estate. Image from Chatsworth.org.

SECRETS OF CHATSWORTH explores the estate’s extensive grounds and tells, among other accounts, the tragic tale of Billy Cavendish, heir to Chatsworth’s 10th Duke of Devonshire, and Kathleen Kennedy. Kathleen, the sister of U.S. President John F. Kennedy, married the British aristocrat, only to lose her husband after only four months of marriage. Billy was killed in action in World War II. Four years later, Kathleen died in a plane crash and was buried at Chatsworth.

“What these magnificent estates have in common is not only a rich and immensely entertaining history, but a modern-day context as well,” said Robert Strange, executive producer at Pioneer Productions. “In their own ways, each house presents viewers with a living drama that stretches back for centuries yet still plays itself out today.”

What is Chatsworth? It is the residence of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire and is one of Britain’s most loved historic homes and estates. Are you a fan of Jane Austen? Chatsworth = Pemberly! Well, let’s back track. It has been said that Chatsworth is the inspiration for Pemberly in Pride and Prejudice. To celebrate the 200th anniversary of the book being published, there are several upcoming events that fans will love. (And what a perfect time…what with Austenland with Keri Russell coming to theaters, and the YouTube web series The Lizzie Bennet Diaries and Pemberly Digital*.)

“We are delighted to bring these specials to PBS,” says Beth Hoppe, Chief Programming Executive and General Manager of General Audience Programming for PBS. “British dramas are a centerpiece of PBS’ Sunday night lineup and this fascinating series adds a real-life dimension to those stories. These exquisite homes take on a dramatic new life once you understand the rich — and sometimes twisted — stories of Britain’s actual characters who lived in them. ”

Pride and Prejudice Wedding

Pride and Prejudice Wedding

Pride and Prejudice Wedding

*Based on how much there is to do at Chatsworth, it would be amazing to see Ashley Clements, Daniel Vincent Gordh, Allison Paige, Mary Kate Wiles, Christopher Sean, Laura Spencer, Julia Cho, Jessica Jade Andres, Briana Cuoco, Maxwell Glick, Wes Aderhold, Craig Frank and even “Kitty Bennett” running around the area and fields? At Small Screen Scoop we’re huge fans of what Hank Green and Bernie Su have created, and we hope you all continue to support them!

All images from Chatsworth.org. You’re reading this on Small Screen Scoop!