Keeping Up Appearances (1990)
The classic BBC sitcom following the gloriously insufferable Hyacinth Bucket — that's Bouquet — and her endless pursuit of social perfection.
Keeping Up Appearances - Series Information
- Original Title: Keeping Up Appearances
- First Air Year: 1990
- Last Air Year: 1995
- Created by: Roy Clarke
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Comedy
- Content Rating (US): TV-PG
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (30 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 5
- Number of Episodes: 40
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: October 29, 1990 (United States - TV-PG), October 29, 1990 (Canada - PG), October 29, 1990 (United Kingdom - PG), October 29, 1990 (Germany - 12), October 29, 1990 (France - 12), October 29, 1990 (Australia - PG), October 29, 1990 (Spain - 13)
- Networks: BBC One
- Alternative Titles: Mehr Schein als Sein (DE), Какво ще кажат хората?! (BG), Pokka pitää (FI), Co ludzie powiedza? (PL), Roy Clarke's Keeping Up Appearances (AU), Høy på pæra (NO), Cuidado com as Aparências (PT), Fint skal det være (DK)
- Production Companies: BBC
- Production Countries: United Kingdom
Keeping Up Appearances - Plot
Hyacinth Bucket (whose name, she insists, is pronounced "Bouquet") is a suburban housewife in the West Midlands. She would be the first to tell you that she is a gracious hostess, a respected citizen, and a well-connected member of high society. If you don't believe that, just ask her best friend Elizabeth, held captive in Hyacinth's kitchen; or the postmen and neighbours who bristle at the sound of her voice; or Richard, her weary and compliant husband. In fact, Hyacinth's reputation could be as perfect as her new lounge set, if not for her senile father's love of running wild in the nip. Oh, and she would prefer it if her brother-in-law was a sharper dresser. And that her husband was more ambitious. And that her sisters were more presentable. And do take your shoes off before you come in the house, dear. Mind that you don't brush against the wallpaper.
Keeping Up Appearances - Trailer
Get a taste of Hyacinth's world in the official trailer below.
The Full Bouquet
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Keeping Up Appearances - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Roy Clarke
Main Cast
- Patricia Routledge
- Clive Swift
- Judy Cornwell
- Geoffrey Hughes
- Josephine Tewson
- David Griffin
- Mary Millar
- Jeremy Gittins
- George Webb
- Marion Barron
Writers
- Roy Clarke
Keeping Up Appearances - FAQs
How is Hyacinth Bucket's surname actually pronounced?
Hyacinth insists her surname is pronounced "Bouquet" — rhyming with the French word for a bunch of flowers — rather than the plain English "Bucket." This running gag is central to the show's comedy, perfectly encapsulating her relentless social pretension and desperate desire to appear more refined than she truly is.
Where can I stream Keeping Up Appearances?
Keeping Up Appearances is available to stream on BritBox, including via the BritBox Apple TV Channel and BritBox Amazon Channel. It can also be purchased on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home for those who prefer to own their favourite episodes.
Who plays Hyacinth Bucket in Keeping Up Appearances?
Patricia Routledge brings Hyacinth Bucket to life in an iconic performance that earned her widespread acclaim. Her precise comic timing and imperious delivery made Hyacinth one of British television's most memorable characters. Routledge was nominated for a BAFTA for the role and remains closely associated with it to this day.
Is Keeping Up Appearances worth watching today?
Absolutely. The series holds up remarkably well thanks to Patricia Routledge's extraordinary performance and Roy Clarke's sharp, endlessly inventive writing. Hyacinth's social disasters and family embarrassments remain hilarious decades on, and the show continues to attract new fans worldwide through streaming platforms like BritBox.
How many seasons does Keeping Up Appearances have?
The series ran for five seasons between 1990 and 1995, comprising 40 episodes in total. Season 1 had 6 episodes, Season 2 had 10, Season 3 had 7, Season 4 had 7, and Season 5 rounded things off with 10 episodes. A collection of specials also exists as a separate season.
What is Keeping Up Appearances about?
The show follows Hyacinth Bucket, a fiercely status-conscious West Midlands housewife who insists her surname is pronounced "Bouquet." Her relentless social climbing is constantly undermined by her slobbish brother-in-law Onslow, her eccentric family, and her own spectacular lack of self-awareness, much to the despair of her long-suffering husband Richard.
Did Keeping Up Appearances win any awards?
Patricia Routledge received BAFTA nominations for her portrayal of Hyacinth Bucket, and the series earned considerable recognition as one of the BBC's most successful sitcoms of the 1990s. It became a major international hit, particularly in the United States, Canada, and Australia, cementing its status as a classic of British comedy.
What shows are similar to Keeping Up Appearances?
Fans of Keeping Up Appearances often enjoy other classic British comedies such as The Good Life (1975), The Vicar of Dibley (1994), and Coupling (2000). For a similar flavour of social comedy and domestic chaos, I Love Lucy (1951) and Happy Ever After (1974) are also well worth exploring.
More About Keeping Up Appearances
Explore further details about the series on these authoritative resources.