Robin Sachs Dead at 61

Robin Sachs has died at the age of 61, according to BBC News.

The British actor died last Friday, but news of his death was announced on his official website on February 5:

"Please join us in raising a glass to Robin - goodbye, dear friend. Thank you for all the laughter and the cookies. We will miss you so very much."

Further details about the actor's death have yet to be revealed.

The actor (who was just four days shy of his 62nd birthday) is best known for playing villainous character Ethan Rayne on the hit series BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER. He also played roles in BABYLON 5, STAR TREK: VOYAGER, TORCHWOOD and UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS.

PRVIEW: UPSTAIRS DOWNSTAIRS ("A Perfect Specimen of Womanhood")

Photo: BBC 2012 for MASTERPIECE

The second season of new UPSTAIRS DOWNSTAIRS continues its run on PBS' MASTERPIECE CLASSIC on Sunday, October 14 at 9 p.m. ET.

In the episode titled "A Perfect Specimen of Womanhood," Blanche comes face to face with her former lover when a scandalous novel is published and, when the passion between the pair reignites, begins to consider a life away from Eaton Place.

Downstairs, Beryl's decision to take a stand causes serious ructions to the running of the house until a familiar face offers wise words.

Meanwhile, when Lady Persie reveals a shocking secret to Sir Hallam, the pair get ever closer as Persie is forced to make a life changing decision about her future.

Watch a sneak peek below:

PRVIEW: UPSTAIRS DOWNSTAIRS ("The Love that Pays the Price")

Ed Stoppard as Sir Hallam Holland and Keeley Hawes as Lady Agnes
Holland - Photo: ©Nick Wall/BBC 2012 for MASTERPIECE

The second season of new UPSTAIRS DOWNSTAIRS continues its run on PBS' MASTERPIECE CLASSIC on Sunday, October 14 at 9 p.m. ET.

In the episode titled "The Love that Pays the Price," Lady Agnes catches the eye of charismatic American millionaire Caspar Landry but, as she and Sir Hallam look to their future, a tragic turn of events leaves their promised dreams - and a close family member - in jeopardy.

Downstairs, Mrs Thackeray makes a momentous decision, which throws the running of the house into chaos. Blanche and Mr Amanjit continue to clash, until a heart-breaking cause compels them to reconsider their differences.

Watch a sneak peek below:

PBS Fall 2012 Schedule Includes UPSTAIRS DOWNSTAIRS and CALL THE MIDWIFE

The runaway British hit CALL THE MIDWIFE, a new drama that depicts midwifery in 1950s London, kicks off the PBS 2012 fall season with a six-part Sunday-night run that begins September 30. A production of BBC Worldwide and Neal Street Productions, MIDWIFE further strengthens PBS’ hold on quality Sunday night programs and launches a fall full of drama — both fictional and real — anchored by Ken Burns’s new documentary THE DUST BOWL, PBS ELECTION 2012 coverage of the presidential campaign including FRONTLINE’s award-winning “The Choice,” and the season two return of MASTERPIECE CLASSIC "UPSTAIRS DOWNSTAIRS."

PBS Fall 2012 Schedule

The runaway British hit CALL THE MIDWIFE, a new drama that depicts midwifery in 1950s London, kicks off the PBS 2012 fall season with a six-part Sunday-night run that begins September 30. A production of BBC Worldwide and Neal Street Productions, "MIDWIFE further strengthens PBS’ hold on quality Sunday night programs" and launches a fall full of drama — both fictional and real — anchored by Ken Burns’s new documentary THE DUST BOWL, PBS ELECTION 2012 coverage of the presidential campaign including FRONTLINE’s award-winning “The Choice,” and the season two return of MASTERPIECE CLASSIC “Upstairs Downstairs.”

UPSTAIRS DOWNSTAIRS Not Returning For Third Season

The BBC has confirmed a third season of period drama UPSTAIRS DOWNSTAIRS will not be commissioned. The show was revived in 2010 with first episode watched by 8.8 million viewers. The ratings declined over time and the final episode of season two only had 5.22 million viewers.

A BBC spokesperson said: "From CALL THE MIDWIFE to BIRD SONG and THE SYNDICATE, 2012 has been a great year for Original British Drama on BBC1 but at this stage there are no plans for UPSTAIRS DOWNSTAIRS to return".

Jenny Tomasin Dead At 75

Actress Jenny Tomasin has died at age 75. It was announced on January 19 that she had died during the previous week.

Tomasin's first major role came in the 1970s when she joined the cast of UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS as Ruby, the kitchen maid to the Bellamy family. She appeared in the series from 1972, until it came to an end in 1975.

Plans were made for a spin off series featuring Ruby, and fellow UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS characters Hudson and Mrs Bridges, however, the series was never made, due to the death of Angela Baddeley (Mrs. Bridges).

In 1985, Tomasin guest starred in the DOCTOR WHO serial "Revelation of the Daleks."

She also played two roles in the soap opera EMMERDALE. Between the years of 1981 and 1982 she played Naomi Tolly, daughter of Enoch Tolly, who was killed in a tractor accident. Her second role was as Noreen Bell, a cantankerous villager who was killed off in July 2006. This would be her final role.

NEWS ROUNDUP: What Prospect Park Can Learn From Netflix. Walt Willey Interview, Joan Collins To DOWNTON ABBEY? Wayne Brady On B&B.

How to Do Original TV Online Properly (Hint: Study Netflix)
Prospect Park’s proposed online soap network would have been a massive financial risk because it would have been starting from scratch in all the ways that counted. The soaps have a sizable audience on television, but it’s completely unknown how many of them would have crossed over to viewing online.

What Netflix did right—whether intentionally or by accident, and I actually suspect it’s somewhere between the two—is hook into projects that don’t rely on the internet to survive.

Best-selling author Carly Phillips upset over soap cancellations
"No matter how many happy endings they give me, it won't be the same as keeping the soaps on. I'm so angry and hurt over it all. I haven't a clue what I'll watch on TV in the afternoons, but I won't put ABC on during those hours. Another thing about me – I'm loyal to a fault."

Joan Collins to join DOWNTON ABBEY?
Collins is apparently to make a cameo appearance in the next season of the hit show. Producers of the period drama are reportedly keen to sign up Collins for a role in the third series. Filming is set to begin in the spring and the former DYNASTY star will play a cousin of Dame Maggie Smith's character, Violet Crawley.

PBS’ DOWNTON ABBEY elevates primetime soap to a high artform worthy of viewers’ time
"There are moments in both romances where DOWNTON shows its soap opera DNA, and even though it elevates soap to high art, certain rules are still followed. Like the one that says no romance ever travels in a straight line."

UPSTAIRS DOWNSTAIRS Hunk Neil Jackson: "The women in DOWNTON ABBEY don't compare to the women in UPSTAIRS DOWNSTAIRS"
"Ours are stunning. We've got Laura Haddock, Keeley Hawes, Claire Foy... beautiful women. Laura, who plays Harry's love interest Beryl Ballard, is particularly beautiful."

PBS Takes On the Premium Channels
Emboldened by the success of DOWNTON ABBEY, PBS now faces the challenge of translating the buzz and enthusiasm for the show into donations to local stations and public financing.

Wayne Brady & LET'S MAKE A DEAL will appear on THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL
In the January 18 episode, Pam (Alley Mills) and Nick (Jack Wagner) will appear on LET'S MAKE A DEAL.

Justin Tanner's AVE 43: L.A. Playwright's Scandalously Funny Soap Opera Parody Web Series
It can be somewhat dizzying watching Tanner work. In addition to writing, producing, directing, shooting and editing AVE 43, the wiry, 40-something force of nature also enjoys a 20-plus-year career as L.A.'s most consistently successful playwright.

New hope in South Africa TV soap
M-Net’s relatively new soapie, THE WILD, is shot entirely on location on a remote farm just outside Johannesburg.

VIDEO: ALL MY CHILDREN's Walt Willey stops by by NBC26 TODAY
"People miss it. I really don't think it's yet over. I still think somebody is going to wise up and see that terrific demographic of brand loyalty."

Watch the video below:

Watch UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIR On Acorn TV

One of the most popular, renowned British series of all time, UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS, is once again available for online viewing onAcorn TV, an online streaming service that makes award-winning British mysteries and dramas available to American audiences.

This series is universally recognized as one of the most successful and important shows in television history. Winning seven Emmys, two BAFTAs, a Golden Globe and a Peabody, UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIR has captured the minds and imaginations of viewers and critics alike.

UPSTAIRS DOWNSTAIRS Returns

When the British series UPSTAIRS DOWNSTAIRS returns to the U.S. Sunday on PBS' MASTERPIECE, only six years have passed since the day in 1930 when the last of the Bellamys and their servants vacated 165 Eaton Place, and yet Jean Marsh, who last starred as Rose 35 years ago, is still very much Rose. Marsh (pictured second from left) is the only original cast member on the new show, which has added Ed Stoppard (left), Keeley Hawes (second from right) and Eileen Atkins.

In the story, Rose finds herself back in London in 1936, running a small domestic-employment agency after having spent a few years away caring for a sick aunt.

For more on the show's return, visit pbs.org.