A hugely popular Scottish drama is returning to television after more than two decades since its original run ended, but the revival will feature a significant change in its lead character. Monarch of the Glen first aired in 2000 and ran on BBC One for seven series, concluding in October 2005 after 64 episodes. Loosely based on Sir Compton Mackenzie's Highland novels, the plot followed restaurateur Archie MacDonald, played by Alastair Mackenzie, who is called back to his childhood home to become the laird of a vast, decaying family estate in the Cairngorms. In the final two series, the story focused on new Laird Paul Bowman, portrayed by Lloyd Owen, and his attempts to modernise the estate. Other original cast members included Anna Wilson-Jones as Archie's girlfriend Justine, Richard Briers as Hector MacDonald, Susan Hampshire as Molly MacDonald, and Dawn Steele as Lexie MacDonald.
The heartwarming drama was drawing in eight million viewers at its peak and remains beloved by audiences today, with all episodes streaming on BBC iPlayer. However, upon its return 21 years later, there will be a notable change: this time, the lead character will be a woman. Rebooted as a Channel 5 reimagining, the new series is expected to cast entirely new stars, although the actors have yet to be revealed. What is known is that the main character will be a high-flying London lawyer named Isla Campbell, who returns to the Highlands for the funeral of her estranged father. She does not plan to stay for more than a few days but soon discovers she has inherited £1 million of debt and the accompanying stress, including the bank's threats to seize their ancestral home. Her brother, however, refuses to sacrifice it. Living with her sibling for the first time in years, Isla must find a way to save the estate before they lose it forever.
The new Monarch of the Glen is expected to be a six-part series, produced by Ecosse Films, which was behind the original programme. Writer Jeremy Brock, known for Amazon Prime's A Very Royal Scandal based on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's car-crash Newsnight interview, said he 'leapt' at the chance to breathe new life into the nostalgic drama. 'I'm hugely excited by the opportunity to tell a story of family life and finding your place in our hectic world – one that celebrates the warmth, humour and eccentricities of a special community, with both optimism and authenticity,' he added following news of the revival. 'Hope and joy are a currency in short supply right now, and the Highlands – one of the most magical places on Earth – felt like exactly the right home for them.'
Excitement is already building following the announcement, with @EastieOaks on X saying they are 'looking forward' to seeing Channel 5 'working their magic' after the broadcaster revived All Creatures Great and Small in 2020. Some are sceptical, however, with @vickysticky25 stating it 'will not be the same' with a new cast. Filming is set to begin in Scotland and Northern Ireland later this year. All episodes of the original Monarch of the Glen are available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
