Keeping Up Appearances poster

TV series

Keeping Up Appearances

1990TV-PG5 seasons7.7 / 10

The Full Bouquet

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.

Availability

Not streaming in United States

Keeping Up Appearances premiered October 29, 1990. We don't have a confirmed streaming, rental or purchase option yet.

Synopsis

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.

Season 1 episodes

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Episode 1

Daddy's Accident

30m8.0 / 10

Hyacinth's "Daddy" is put into an ambulance and taken to hospital, after getting injured chasing after the milk woman naked on her bike. After visiting him, Hyacinth returns home and is visited by the gas man, whose life she makes difficult.

Episode credits

Directed by Harold SnoadWritten by Roy ClarkeGuest stars Bruce Alexander, Peter Cellier, Paul Toothill, James Ottaway, George Webb, Leo Dolan

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Episode 2

The New Vicar

30m8.0 / 10

Hyacinth is determined to create the perfect impression when inviting the new Vicar for “tea and light refreshments”. However her hopes come crashing down on her when Onslow and Daisy turn up with the news Daddy has been kidnapped by a gypsy. The day gets even worse for the polish-perfecting protagonist when Rose turns up, on her way to her own funeral.

Episode credits

Directed by Harold SnoadWritten by Roy ClarkeGuest stars Eileen Davies, Jill O'Hare, Jeremy Gittins, Marion Barron

Where to watch Keeping Up Appearances

Episode 3

Stately Home

30m8.4 / 10

Hyacinth and Richard visit a stately home where the leading lady hopes to meet a member of the aristocratic family. However she fears her social status will be sabotaged by Onslow, Daisy and Rose, who turn up unexpectedly. Thus Hyacinth drags Richard through the ground's private gardens to hide from the lower-class clan.

Episode credits

Directed by Harold SnoadWritten by Roy ClarkeGuest stars Liz Gebhardt, Michael Bilton, Eric Carte, Less "Leslie" Clack, Stella Kemball

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Episode 4

The Charity Shop

30m8.4 / 10

It is Liz and Hyacinth's day to help Mrs Nugent at the charity shop, and on their way there, Hyacinth has to make a visit to Onslow and Daisy's to remove a woman (played by Gretchen Franklin) from Daddy's room, refusing to leave. Meanwhile Rose intends to give up men, and arrives at the charity shop to donate her raunchy underwear.

Episode credits

Directed by Harold SnoadWritten by Roy ClarkeGuest stars Gretchen Franklin, Charmian May, Norman Lovett, Denis Bond, Leo Dolan

Where to watch Keeping Up Appearances

Episode 5

Daisy's Toyboy

30m7.7 / 10

In an attempt to make Onslow jealous, Daisy finds herself a toyboy. However the plan fails and Daisy sends Onslow to the Church hall to meet Richard, in a final ploy to get him to notice her antics.

Episode credits

Directed by Harold SnoadWritten by Roy ClarkeGuest stars Jeanne Mockford, Jonny Lee Miller, Tricia Thorns, Ian Burford, Linda James, Pamela Abbott, Keturah Sorrell, Jeremy Gittins

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Episode 6

The Christening

30m7.8 / 10finale

Daisy and Onslow’s granddaughter Kylie is getting christened, but Hyacinth is unimpressed because there has not been a wedding first. The day does not get any better for Hyacinth when she and Richard are forced to come to the rescue of the baby's mother Stephanie, whose transport has broken down. The leading lady then learns the baby's mother is a hippie, who is unaware of the baby’s father.

Episode credits

Directed by Harold SnoadWritten by Roy ClarkeGuest stars Gerald Sim, Bruce Bennett, Jonathan Fryer, Patricia Leach, Rick Friend, Richard Ashton, Laura Shavin

Where to watch Keeping Up Appearances

Episode information updated Jul 23, 2026

More about Keeping Up Appearances

Cast

Patricia RoutledgeHyacinth Bucket
Clive SwiftRichard Bucket
Judy CornwellDaisy
Geoffrey HughesOnslow
Josephine TewsonElizabeth 'Liz' Warden
David GriffinEmmet
Mary MillarRose
Shirley StelfoxRose

Credits

Created by
Roy Clarke
Written by
Roy Clarke

Production details

Status
Ended
Series type
Scripted
Episodes
40
Original language
English

Networks & production

  • BBC OneUnited Kingdom
  • BBCUnited Kingdom

Themes

bouquetbucketsitcomslobsnob