Anglophiles, rejoice!

Suffolk might not be the first place that comes to mind when one is thinking about English drama, but be assured of this: Suffolk will be Ground Zero for the area’s anglophiles on Dec. 17.

That’s because the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts scored a big win this week, securing the rights to a preview showing of the first episode of the wildly popular public television hit “Downton Abbey.”

The SCCA will host a premiere of the first episode of Season 6, giving those attending a two-week head start on the show’s many fans around the country. The event is a collaborative effort of Hampton Roads public television station WHRO, the center and Suffolk Tourism, and you can bet the show’s avid viewers who aren’t quick enough to snag tickets are going to be green with envy when they realize the opportunity they missed.

For those who don’t own televisions and aren’t on Facebook or any other form of social media, the series, which debuted on PBS in 2011, follows the aristocratic Crawley family and their servants in the post-Edwardian era, with the great events in history having an effect on their lives and the British social hierarchy in general. Season 6 opens in 1925, finding the Crawley family clinging to an ever-changing world stage.

The show has helped reignite Americans’ interest in British drama, reminding them of the days when “Masterpiece Theatre” was more than just a highbrow alternative to “Dallas.” In fact, “Downton Abbey” is the top PBS drama of all time and has been nominated for 51 Emmy awards.

The premiere is free, but general admission tickets, which are limited and will go quickly, are required. Get your tickets at whro.org/downtonscreening.

For true fans, a very limited number of VIP tickets are available for $30 each. They’ll include a VIP tea reception, reserved seating and a “Downton Abbey” keepsake. Tickets to the VIP reception can be obtained by calling 923-2900. Proceeds benefit the Suffolk Center Foundation.

This promises to be a popular event, and it’s a great opportunity for folks who are unfamiliar with the many good things that happen at the center to get to know it a little better. Good work by all those involved.