The Upper Hand (1990)
The beloved British ITV sitcom that turned domestic life upside down — one charming housekeeper at a time.
The Upper Hand - Series Information
- Original Title: The Upper Hand
- First Air Year: 1990
- Last Air Year: 1996
- Created by: Blake Hunter
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Comedy
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 30 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 7
- Number of Episodes: 95
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Networks: ITV1
The Upper Hand - Plot
The Upper Hand is a British television sitcom, produced by Central Independent Television and Columbia Pictures Television and broadcast by ITV from 1990 to 1996. The programme was adapted from the American sitcom Who's the Boss?. As in the former series, an affluent single woman, raising a son with the help of her mother, hires a housekeeper only to have a man apply for the job.
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The Upper Hand - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Blake Hunter
Main Cast
- Honor Blackman
- Kellie Bright
- Joe McGann
- Diana Weston
- William Puttock
- Robert Beck
- Lynda Baron
- Dave Atkins
- Nicky Henson
- Annabel Ryan
Writers
- Prudence Fraser
- Robert Sternin
- Clay Graham
- Gene Braunstein
- Danny Kallis
The Upper Hand - FAQs
Is The Upper Hand based on another show?
The Upper Hand is a British adaptation of the American sitcom Who's the Boss?, which aired on ABC from 1984 to 1992. The premise is closely mirrored: an affluent single woman hires a male housekeeper, flipping traditional domestic roles for comedic and romantic effect.
Who are the main actors in The Upper Hand?
The series stars Honor Blackman as Laura West and Joe McGann as Charlie Burrows, the charming male housekeeper at the heart of the story. Kellie Bright, Diana Weston, William Puttock, Lynda Baron, and Nicky Henson round out the principal ensemble cast.
How many seasons does The Upper Hand have?
The Upper Hand ran for 7 seasons on ITV, totalling 95 episodes. Season lengths varied from 7 to 19 episodes, with the show airing from 1990 through to its conclusion in 1996.
Did Honor Blackman and Joe McGann's characters get together?
Much of the show's charm lay in the slow-burn romantic tension between Laura West and Charlie Burrows. The will-they-won't-they dynamic kept audiences hooked across all seven series, with the relationship gradually developing in ways that mirrored the format of its American predecessor, Who's the Boss?
Where can you watch The Upper Hand in the UK?
Streaming availability for The Upper Hand varies by region and platform. For the most up-to-date viewing options in the UK, JustWatch is the best place to check which services currently carry the series, whether for streaming, rental, or purchase.
What is The Upper Hand about?
The show follows Laura West, a successful single woman raising her son with help from her mother, who unexpectedly hires Charlie Burrows — a man — as her live-in housekeeper. The comedy mines the resulting domestic role reversal, class dynamics, and romantic tension for laughs across seven series.
When did The Upper Hand first air on ITV?
The Upper Hand first aired on ITV in 1990 and ran until 1996. Produced by Central Independent Television in association with Columbia Pictures Television, it became one of ITV's most popular domestic comedies of the early 1990s.
What are similar shows to The Upper Hand?
Fans of The Upper Hand often enjoy Who's the Boss? — the American original that inspired it — as well as other warm domestic comedies like Reba, Three's Company, and One Day at a Time. Young & Hungry and The Upshaws offer a more contemporary take on similar household comedy dynamics.
More About The Upper Hand
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