To the Manor Born (1979–1981)

Audrey fforbes-Hamilton is sad when her husband dies but is shocked when she realises that she has to leave Grantleigh Manor where her family has lived forever. The new owner is Richard De ... See full summary »

Creator:

Peter Spence

Stars:

Penelope Keith, Peter Bowles, Angela Thorne

4 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Penelope Keith	...	Audrey (22 episodes, 1979-2007)
Peter Bowles	...	DeVere (22 episodes, 1979-2007)
Angela Thorne	...	Marjory (22 episodes, 1979-2007)
Daphne Heard	...	Mrs. Polouvicka (17 episodes, 1979-1981)
John Rudling	...	Brabinger (16 episodes, 1979-1981)
Gerald Sim	...	The Rector (15 episodes, 1979-2007)
Michael Bilton	...	Ned (14 episodes, 1979-1981)

Storyline

Audrey fforbes-Hamilton is sad when her husband dies but is shocked when she realises that she has to leave Grantleigh Manor where her family has lived forever. The new owner is Richard De Vere, owner of a major supermarket chain. Audrey makes sure she's on hand to keep an eye on him by buying The Old Lodge on the edge of the Manor grounds. As time goes by both Richard and Audrey realises that they are falling for each other but both are too shy to do anything about it. Meanwhile, Mrs. Polouvicka, Richard's mother (he changed his name to help him in his business.) knows the situation between Richard and Audrey and is determined to see that Richard does the right thing. Audrey's friend Marjory Frobisher and butler Brabinger are on hand to help out if necessary.

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Plot Keywords:

manor | mother | butler | supermarket | lodge | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 March 1982 (USA)

Also Known As:

Han, hun og godset

Filming Locations:

Cricket St. Thomas Estate, Nr. Chard, Somerset, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Years later, 10 episodes (six adaptations and four specially written) appeared on BBC Radio 2, starring Penelope Keith and Angela Thorne reprising their roles, and Keith Barron as Richard DeVere.

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Quotes

Marjory Frobisher: I was surprised to hear she'd got married at all, I mean she wasn't very attractive was she?
Audrey fforbes-Hamilton: Oh, let's not mince words, Margory, she had a face like a ship's boiler.

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Connections

Referenced in The Comedy Christmas (2007)

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Soundtracks

"Theme"
Composed by Ronnie Hazlehurst

User Reviews

For a nation of romantics...

To the Manor Born is a classic and unmistakably English sit-com, with all the wit and intelligence you'd expect of good old British humour.

Penelope Keith does what she does best, in sheer style, portraying Audrey Fforbes-Hamiltion (NEVER Audrey F-H), a recently widowed and infinitely upper class traditionalist, whose steely determination makes her attitudes very difficult to change. That is, until the self-made millionaire and grocery shop extraordinary (not to mention foreign) Richard De Vere assumes residence of the stately home in which Audrey has resided (as the title suggests) since birth, after she is forced to sell her pride and joy.

Unsurprisingly, Audrey takes an instant dislike to this social upstart, an instinct which appears mutual, as Richard is driven to distraction by his predecessor's constant putdowns (which are in a league of their own) and persistent interference in his running of her beloved Grantleigh Estate. However, Richard's dear mother, Mrs Poo has other ideas about the pair, and resolves to bring her son around to her way of thinking.

Although from the word go you know this initial 'hate' relationship is going to end in the discovery of true love, and you may be thinking 'change the record', but theres just this incredible 'Je ne sais quoi' about these two characters, when they are together, that is just so captivating. For those of you who still remain unconvinced, its well worth watching for Audrey's rather unorthodox suggestion at the end.