Upstairs, Downstairs 

The trials of the British aristocratic Bellamy family and their household staff.

Stars:

Gordon Jackson, David Langton, Jean Marsh

Won 1 Golden Globe. Another 13 wins & 20 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Gordon Jackson	...	Hudson 60 episodes, 1971-1975
David Langton	...	Richard Bellamy 56 episodes, 1971-1975
Jean Marsh	...	Rose 54 episodes, 1971-1975
Angela Baddeley	...	Mrs. Bridges 53 episodes, 1971-1975
Christopher Beeny	...	Edward 46 episodes, 1971-1975
Jenny Tomasin	...	Ruby 41 episodes, 1972-1975
Simon Williams	...	James Bellamy 38 episodes, 1971-1975
Jacqueline Tong	...	Daisy Peel 32 episodes, 1973-1975

Storyline

The series follows the lives of both the family and the servants in the London townhouse at 165 Eaton Place. Richard Bellamy, the head of the household, is a member of Parliament, and his wife a member of the titled aristocracy. Belowstairs, Hudson, the Scottish butler directs and guides the other servants about their tasks and (sometimes) their proper place. Real-life events from 1903-1930 are incorporated into the stories of the Bellamy household.

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Plot Keywords:

butler | 1930s | 1920s | 1910s | wealth | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 January 1974 (USA)

Also Known As:

Das Haus am Eaton Place

Filming Locations:

65 Eaton Place, Belgravia, London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

London Weekend Television (LWT)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min (68 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

A script for a proposed but ultimately unmade film adaptation is known to survive, dating from 1973/4.

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Goofs

Hamish and Dorothy Matthews' names are spelt Mathews in the credits of episode 3.11 and Matthews in episode 4.6

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Quotes

Edward Barnes, footman: Arabella? That's a COW'S name!

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Connections

Featured in The Unforgettable Gordon Jackson (2012)

User Reviews

the finest thing that has ever been on television

My wife and I are just starting the fifth and last season. Last fall we started going through all the episodes on DVD in order. We do around 3 per week.

I never saw the series in the 1970s, though I heard of it. Some time in the mid 80s the local PBS station in New York showed most of them in order, a couple per week. I was absolutely enthralled. It's been about 20 years so we decided to have another look.

They absolutely stand up well. Better than well. I will emphatically repeat the judgment I made twenty years ago: this series is the finest thing that has ever been on television.

Yes, I know, you can't compare "apples and oranges" like that. I suppose the single ONE best thing that's ever been on television (in the sense of a one day or briefer event) in my experience was the moon landing in July 1969.

Still, in spite of that, all in all, if I had to pick, Upstairs-Downstairs is the best PROGRAM that has ever been on television. Far and away. If you are new to it, I envy you. I am already mourning the last episode, which I will see again in a few weeks at most. My only consolation is that in twenty years, I can watch it all again.