I'm a fan of the E.F. Benson books that form the basis for this series. The highlight of my trip to England many years ago was visiting the charming town of Rye (called Tilling in the Lucia books), where Benson lived and this series was filmed. But I must say that I like the TV production, thanks to the inspired comic performances, even more than the books.
In particular, Geraldine McEwan is exquisite. Her little comic mannerisms are absolutely hilarious, and she makes the character endearing in a way that I never thought possible. Again, "inspired" is the only appropriate word.
The same with the much-missed Nigel Hawthorne's Georgie. Absolutely perfect casting. And Prunella Scales (of Fawlty Towers fame) bites into her less-sympathetic role of Mapp and does not let go until she wrings every last laugh from it. As is particularly true for British series, the supporting cast is also excellent at bringing their own eccentric characters to life in just a few brushstrokes.
Many British comedies have come and gone in the years since this 1985 series, but it remains the most delightful, in my book. By the way, the 2014 version has its charms, but it suffers greatly from a major casting error (Anna Chancellor as Lucia).