Upstairs, Downstairs (1971)
The definitive British period drama uniting an aristocratic household and their devoted servants across decades of change, conflict, and consequence.
Upstairs, Downstairs - Series Information
- Original Title: Upstairs, Downstairs
- First Air Year: 1971
- Last Air Year: 1975
- Created by: John Hawkesworth, Eileen Atkins et al.
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama
- Content Rating (US): TV-PG
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 50 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 5
- Number of Episodes: 68
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: October 10, 1971 (United States - TV-PG), October 10, 1971 (United Kingdom - 12), October 10, 1971 (Germany - 12), October 10, 1971 (France - 12), October 10, 1971 (Australia - PG), October 10, 1971 (Spain - 12)
- Networks: ITV1
- Alternative Titles: Maîtres et Valets (FR)
- Production Companies: LWT
- Production Countries: United Kingdom
Upstairs, Downstairs - Plot
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.
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Upstairs, Downstairs - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- John Hawkesworth
- Eileen Atkins
- Jean Marsh
Main Cast
- Gordon Jackson
- Angela Baddeley
- Jean Marsh
- David Langton
- Christopher Beeny
- Jenny Tomasin
- Simon Williams
- Jacqueline Tong
- Lesley-Anne Down
- Rachel Gurney
Writers
- Alfred Shaughnessy
- Jeremy Paul
- John Hawkesworth
- Rosemary Anne Sisson
- Anthony Skene
Executive Producers
- Rex Firkin
Upstairs, Downstairs - FAQs
What is Upstairs, Downstairs about?
Upstairs, Downstairs chronicles the intertwined lives of the wealthy Bellamy family and their domestic servants at 165 Eaton Place in London's Belgravia. Spanning nearly three decades, the series explores class divisions, personal relationships, and the sweeping social changes of the early twentieth century, including the First World War.
Where can I stream Upstairs, Downstairs (1971)?
Upstairs, Downstairs (1971) is available to stream on BritBox, BritBox via Apple TV Channel, and BritBox via Amazon Channel. It can also be watched for free with ads on The Roku Channel, Tubi TV, and Plex, or accessed free on the Plex Channel. Purchasing options are available on Amazon Video.
Who are the main actors in Upstairs, Downstairs?
The principal cast includes Gordon Jackson as butler Angus Hudson, Angela Baddeley as cook Mrs. Bridges, and Jean Marsh as parlour maid Rose Buck. David Langton plays Richard Bellamy, with Simon Williams, Rachel Gurney, Lesley-Anne Down, Jacqueline Tong, Christopher Beeny, and Jenny Tomasin rounding out the ensemble.
How many seasons does Upstairs, Downstairs have?
Upstairs, Downstairs ran for five main seasons plus a collection of special episodes, totalling 68 episodes. Each of the five primary seasons comprised 13 episodes, while the fifth and final season was expanded to 16 episodes. The series aired on ITV1 from 1971 to 1975.
Is Upstairs, Downstairs based on a true story?
Upstairs, Downstairs is not based on a specific true story. It is an original fictional drama conceived by Jean Marsh and Eileen Atkins, who drew on the broader social history of Edwardian and early twentieth-century Britain to craft its portrait of class relations between employers and domestic servants.
When did Upstairs, Downstairs first air?
Upstairs, Downstairs first aired on October 10, 1971, on ITV1 in the United Kingdom. The series concluded in 1975 after five seasons. It was subsequently broadcast internationally, including in the United States, Australia, Germany, France, and Spain, where it attracted large and devoted audiences.
Did Upstairs, Downstairs win any major awards?
Upstairs, Downstairs earned considerable critical recognition, winning multiple BAFTA Awards during its run, including Best Drama Series. It also received Emmy Award nominations in the United States, where it became a celebrated fixture on PBS. The series is widely regarded as one of the finest British dramas ever produced.
Who created Upstairs, Downstairs?
Upstairs, Downstairs was created by John Hawkesworth, Eileen Atkins, and Jean Marsh. The concept originated with Atkins and Marsh, who envisioned a drama told from the servants' perspective. Hawkesworth developed the project for television, and the series was produced by LWT and broadcast on ITV1.
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