Series synopsis
Upstairs, Downstairs is a British drama television series that premiered on ITV1 on October 10, 1971. It ended on December 21, 1975. It was created by John Hawkesworth, Eileen Atkins, Jean Marsh. It stars Gordon Jackson, Jean Marsh, Angela Baddeley and David Langton.
Upstairs: the wealthy, aristocratic Bellamys. Downstairs: their loyal and lively servants. For nearly 30 years, they share a fashionable townhouse at 165 Eaton Place in London’s posh Belgravia neighborhood, surviving social change, political upheaval, scandals, and the horrors of the First World War.
Premise
Upstairs: the wealthy, aristocratic Bellamys. Downstairs: their loyal and lively servants. For nearly 30 years, they share a fashionable townhouse at 165 Eaton Place in London’s posh Belgravia neighborhood, surviving social change, political upheaval, scandals, and the horrors of the First World War.
Premise: None of that behaviour in my kitchen.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Gordon Jackson as Angus Hudson
- Jean Marsh as Rose Buck
- Angela Baddeley as Mrs. Bridges
- David Langton as Richard Bellamy
- Simon Williams as James Bellamy
- Jacqueline Tong as Daisy Peel
- Julia Sutton as Dorothy Mathews
- Clive Morton as Makepiece
Supporting cast
- Frank Middlemass as Albert Lyons
- Tony Aitken as Mulligan
- Larry Martyn as The Electrician
- Kevin Moran as The Sergeant
- Keith Barron as Gregory Wilmot
- Anthony Ainley as Lord Charles Gilmour
- Bernard Archard as Col Harry Tewksbury
- Mike Fields as Wounded Soldier
- Christopher Benjamin as Max Weinberg
- Robin Sachs as Robert
- Audrey Joyce as Mrs. Ganton
- Robin Bailey as Gerald Maitland
Guest cast
- Jacqueline Tong as Daisy Peel
- Julia Sutton as Dorothy Mathews
- Clive Morton as Makepiece
- Frank Middlemass as Albert Lyons
- Tony Aitken as Mulligan
- Larry Martyn as The Electrician
- Kevin Moran as The Sergeant
- Keith Barron as Gregory Wilmot
- Anthony Ainley as Lord Charles Gilmour
- Bernard Archard as Col Harry Tewksbury
- Mike Fields as Wounded Soldier
- Christopher Benjamin as Max Weinberg
Episodes
This series spans 6 seasons with 82 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 0 | 14 | December 27, 2010 | |
| Season 1 | 13 | October 10, 1971 | March 5, 1972 |
| Season 2 | 13 | October 21, 1972 | January 19, 1973 |
| Season 3 | 13 | October 27, 1973 | January 19, 1974 |
| Season 4 | 13 | September 14, 1974 | December 7, 1974 |
| Season 5 | 16 | September 7, 1975 | December 21, 1975 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Behind Closed Doors | |
| 2 |
Season 1 - Extra 2, On trial (variant ending) An alternate version of "On Trial" with a different ending, designed to be shown by stations that are airing the first season but are skipping the black and white episodes. In this version, the maid Sarah leaves Eaton Place, which explains her absence from the color episodes until she returns in episode 10. |
December 27, 2010 |
| 3 |
The Story of Upstairs, Downstairs, part 2: On with the Dance Part two of a documentary on the making of Upstairs, Downstairs. Directed by Stephen La Riviere. |
February 27, 2006 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
On Trial November 1903: Clemence, young and inexperienced, is hired on a trial basis by Lady Marjorie, who decides Clemence is not an appropriate name for someone in service and changes it to Sarah. Being far too outspoken and having a tendency towards over exaggeration and drama, Sarah struggles to fit in and become accepted by the other servants. |
October 10, 1971 |
| 2 |
The Mistress and the Maids June 1904: An artist, commissioned to paint Lady Marjorie's portrait, takes a shine to Sarah and convinces her to pose for him. The painting, depicting Sarah and her roommate, is a bit racy, and when the Bellamy's see it in a public exhibit, they fire both girls for what they wrongly conclude is "questionable behaviour." |
October 17, 1971 |
| 3 |
Board Wages August 1904: Finding themselves alone and having the run of the house, the junior servants indulge in a night of wild partying. When James, the Bellamy's son, show up unexpectedly, the party takes an unusual turn, causing Sarah to reevaluate her life. Unhappy with what she sees, she makes a monumental decision that will alter her course forever. |
October 24, 1971 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The New Man Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Kirbridge return from their honeymoon and set up their new household in nearby Greenwich. |
October 21, 1972 |
| 2 |
A Pair of Exiles Sarah tells James she's having his baby and the Bellamys make provisions to avoid a major scandal. |
October 28, 1972 |
| 3 |
Married Love Things have not improved in the Kirbridge household. It turns out they have yet to consummate their marriage. Lizzie, unaware she's married to a homosexual, is miserable and angry, making Lawrence miserable, too. Realising he cannot fulfil that need for her, Lawrence decides to enlist the help of a friend to step in as proxy. |
November 4, 1972 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Miss Forrest In the spring of 1912, Lady Marjorie prepares to visit Elizabeth in New York and James takes an interest in Richard's comely and respectable new secretary, Miss Forrest. |
October 27, 1973 |
| 2 |
A House Divided News of the Titanic disaster arrives at Eaton Place, and the entire household anxiously awaits word of Lady Marjorie's fate. |
November 3, 1973 |
| 3 |
A Change of Scene James' weekend visit to Somerby Park, with Hudson in tow as his valet, presents an opportunity for both to appreciate their beloved Eaton Place and what they've left behind there. |
November 10, 1973 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
A Patriotic Offering In a gesture of goodwill, the Bellamys offer generous hospitality to a family of Belgian refugees and Edward is feeling increased pressure to enlist. |
September 14, 1974 |
| 2 |
News from the Front James is home on leave and offers a realistic account of what is really happening on the front and Daisy and Edward announce their engagement to Hudson. |
September 21, 1974 |
| 3 |
The Beastly Hun The sinking of the Lusitania has Hudson on a tirade and his anti-German fervor pervade the servants hall. Upstairs, Richard is made Civil Lord of the Admiralty in the newly-formed coalition government. |
September 28, 1974 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
On with the Dance It's June 1919 and a jubilant Victory Parade passes 165 Eaton Place -- but with the new family dynamic, what's to become of the beloved Bellamy townhouse? |
September 7, 1975 |
| 2 |
A Place in the World As Britain tries to rebound from the war, James Bellamy runs for political office. Edward and Daisy are struggling financially but realize they have friends who love them at Eaton Place. |
September 14, 1975 |
| 3 |
Laugh a Little Louder Please Georgina and her cohort throw a bacchanal at Eaton Place, with tragic consequences. Miss Treadwell, a governess for the children, joins the household. |
September 21, 1975 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | ITV1 |
|---|---|
| First aired | October 10, 1971 |
| Last aired | December 21, 1975 |
| Runtime | 50 minutes |
| Status | ended |
| Schedule | Sunday at 20:50:00 |