Mercy Street on PBS

PBS is trying something new - an American drama. No shirtless Brits, as was the case with Poldark, or thoughtless detectives, as with Sherlock. No, on Sunday (January 17) you can see PBS's Mercy Street, set in a military hospital in Alexandria, Virginia, during the Civil War. 

But some still need a British spin.  The Washington Post calls it PBS's Downton Abbey "replacement," stating:

If “Downton Abbey” drew its drama from the spectacle of highly traditional characters confronting the inexorable changes advancing across England, “Mercy Street” focuses on a set of characters who are already in transition.

Through not everyone agrees. The Oregonian sees ER:

...as the stories unfold, "Mercy Street" also feels a bit familiar. Co-creator David Zabel, who's also one of the executive producers,  is a veteran of "ER." Which may be why, at times, the medical crises and fiery personalities of "Mercy Street" come across like an "ER" episode in hoop skirts and suspenders.  

The series may not have an upstairs versus downstairs storyline, but the blue versus gray battle tales, as well as the black versus white daily struggles, should keep us interested.

It appears the six-part series has a new setting with real promise, so I will tune in with an open mind.  Maybe you will as well.