‘Iconic’ Scottish TV drama returning after 21 years with a major change

A hugely popular Scottish drama is returning to TV after over two decades since it ended – but the revival will have one key difference.

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, becoming the laird of a huge, decaying family estate in the Cairngorms.

In the final two series, the story focused on new Laird Paul Bowman (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 pulling in eight million viewers at its peak and is still beloved by audiences today, with all episodes streaming on BBC iPlayer.

However, upon its return 21 years later, there’ll be a notable change, as this time, the lead character will be a woman.

Rebooted in a Channel 5 reimagining, the new series is thought to be casting entirely new stars, although the actors are yet to be revealed.

What we do know 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 doesn’t plan to stay for longer than a few days, but soon discovers she’s now inherited £1million of debt and the stress that comes with it, such as 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 ‘looking forward’ to seeing Channel 5 ‘working their magic’ after the broadcaster revived All Creatures Great and Small in 2020.

Some are sceptical, though, with @vickysticky25 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.

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