Upstairs, Downstairs poster

TV series

Upstairs, Downstairs

1971TV-PG5 seasons7.8 / 10

None of that behaviour in my kitchen.

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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Checked Sep 3, 2026

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Synopsis

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.

Season 1 episodes

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Episode 1

On Trial

Oct 10, 197150m

November 1903: Clemence, young and inexperienced, is hired on a trial basis by Lady Marjorie, who decides Clemence is not an appropriate name for someone in service and changes it to Sarah. Being far too outspoken and having a tendency towards over exaggeration and drama, Sarah struggles to fit in and become accepted by the other servants.

Episode credits

Directed by Raymond MenmuirWritten by Fay WeldonGuest stars Patsy Crowther, Patsy Smart, Evin Crowley, Brian Osborne, Pauline Collins, Rachel Gurney, George Innes

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Episode 2

The Mistress and the Maids

Oct 17, 197150m

June 1904: An artist, commissioned to paint Lady Marjorie's portrait, takes a shine to Sarah and convinces her to pose for him. The painting, depicting Sarah and her roommate, is a bit racy, and when the Bellamy's see it in a public exhibit, they fire both girls for what they wrongly conclude is "questionable behaviour."

Episode credits

Directed by Derek BennettWritten by Alfred ShaughnessyGuest stars Anton Rodgers, Evin Crowley, Pauline Collins, Rachel Gurney

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Episode 3

Board Wages

Oct 24, 197150m

August 1904: Finding themselves alone and having the run of the house, the junior servants indulge in a night of wild partying. When James, the Bellamy's son, show up unexpectedly, the party takes an unusual turn, causing Sarah to reevaluate her life. Unhappy with what she sees, she makes a monumental decision that will alter her course forever.

Episode credits

Directed by Derek BennettWritten by Charlotte Bingham, Terence BradyGuest stars Simon Williams, Alethea Charlton, Peter Sproule, Evin Crowley, Pauline Collins, George Innes

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Episode 4

The Path of Duty

Oct 31, 197150m

May 1905: When Elizabeth returns home from abroad, her parents plan her debut into society, but the spirited young girl has little interest. She reluctantly agrees, but at the last moment, has a change of heart and flees. Rose, more like a sister than a servant, steps up and makes the girl see the situation in another light.

Episode credits

Directed by Joan Kemp-WelchWritten by John HarrisonGuest stars Simon Williams, Margaretta Scott, John Quayle, Elma Soiron, Jessica Benton, Christopher Moran, Patsy Smart, Evin Crowley

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Episode 5

A Suitable Marriage

Nov 7, 197150m

December 1905: Elizabeth falls for a young German baron, whom her father is suspicious of. Richard quickly uncovers the Baron's secret, but as it turns out, Baron Klaus von Rimmer is hiding another secret, which Rose accidentally stumbles upon. The events of the evening compel one of the servants to betray not only the family, but the country as well.

Episode credits

Directed by Joan Kemp-WelchWritten by Jeremy PaulGuest stars Horst Janson, James Bree, Ian Dewar, Gillian Hills, Nicola Pagett, Rachel Gurney, George Innes, Joan Benham

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Episode 6

A Cry for Help

Nov 14, 197150m

October 1906: Mary, the new housemaid confides in Richard that she's pregnant, the result of an assault by a man who drunkenly forced himself on her. Insisting he must bear responsibility, she reveals the man is Myles Radford, the son of Richard's friend (and her previous employer), General Radford. Myles, outraged that Richard has the gall to question his integrity, gets even with a classless move that could have enormous legal, financial, and moral ramifications.

Episode credits

Directed by Derek BennettWritten by Julian BondGuest stars Susan Penhaligon, Nicholas Young, Patsy Smart, Evin Crowley, Christopher Beeny, Raymond Huntley

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Episode 7

Magic Casements

Jan 23, 197250m

Summer 1906: Captain Hammond, a handsome young friend of James', graciously agrees to escort Lady Marjorie to the opera. Feeling a strong mutual attraction, they quickly realize how compatible they are, despite the age difference, Abuzz with gossip, the servants seem to be the only ones aware of what's going on.

Episode credits

Directed by Joan Kemp-WelchWritten by John HawkesworthGuest stars Simon Williams, David Kernan, Patsy Smart, Harold Bennett, Rachel Gurney, Christopher Beeny

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Episode 8

I Dies from Love

Jan 30, 197250m

April 1907: Believing destiny brought them together, Emily, the scruffy kitchen maid, falls deeply and hopelessly in love with a footman named William. When his mistress, Mrs. Van Groeben, learns about his relationship with Emily, she angrily orders William to stop seeing her, leaving Emily heartbroken and driven to an act of desperation.

Episode credits

Directed by Raymond MenmuirWritten by Charlotte Bingham, Terence BradyGuest stars Evin Crowley, Aimée Delamain, Yolande Turner, Charles Lamb, Tom Marshall, Patricia Hamilton, Robin Wentworth, Carl Bernard

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Episode 9

Why is Her Door Locked?

Feb 6, 197250m

November 1907: Everyone's been concerned about Mrs. Bridges, who's been despondent ever since Emily's suicide, but when they discover she took a baby from his pram when his mother wasn't looking, and brought him home with her, they realise she's suffering from a mental breakdown. Hoping to keep the incident quiet and protect everyone's reputations, the Bellamys return the baby to his parents and offer compensation, but refuse to divulge Mrs. Bridges' identity. The father, furious that they consider themselves above the law, has Mrs. Bridges arrested and during her hearing, Hudson makes an extraordinary gesture he hopes will keep her out of prison.

Episode credits

Directed by Brian ParkerWritten by Alfred ShaughnessyGuest stars Michael Guest, Janie Booth, David Strong, John Malcolm, Philip Lennard, Bill Horsley, John Scott Martin, Susan Porrett

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Episode 10

A Voice from the Past

Feb 13, 197250m

Autumn 1908: While providing food for the homeless, James and Elizabeth are surprised to run into Sarah whose been living on the street. Elizabeth insists upon taking her back to Eaton Place where she's given a job as a scullery maid. Sarah immediately reverts to her old tricks and, claiming to be a medium, causes an uproar when she tries to conjure up the spirit of Emily during a séance.

Episode credits

Directed by Raymond MenmuirWritten by Jeremy PaulGuest stars Simon Williams, Amanda Walker, Susan Porrett, Martin Gordon, Winifred Sabine, Maggie Wells, Nicola Pagett, Jenifer Armitage

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Episode 11

The Swedish Tiger

Feb 20, 197250m

James is visited by his friend Axel Ryttsen, a Swedish Army captain who lives for taking risks. With him is his valet, the handsome and charismatic Torkel Kraft. There is some scheming going on in the house during their visit, but to what end?

Episode credits

Directed by Brian ParkerGuest stars Simon Williams, Sven-Bertil Taube, Peter Clay, Geoffrey Whitehead, Gillian Lind, Dorothy Black, Veronica Lang, Colin Rix

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Episode 12

The Key of the Door

Feb 27, 197250m

Winter 1908: Elizabeth befriends a bunch of Bohemian-types, but is drawn to two in particular: Evelyn Larkin, a radical Socialist extremist, and her lover, Lawrence Kirbridge, a handsome, free-spirited poet. On the eve of her 21st birthday, with her parents out of town, Lizzie invites the entire group to Eaton Place, and is humiliated when the Bellamys return home unexpectedly and throw everyone out. Anxious to prove she's nothing like her parents, Lizzie is compelled to do something extreme, leading to a falling out with her parents and a harsh discovery about Evelyn.

Episode credits

Directed by Raymond MenmuirWritten by Alfred Shaughnessy, John HawkesworthGuest stars Maggie Wells, Georgia Brown, Tutte Lemkow, Tom Owen, John Delmar, Pat Nye, John Rapley, Nicola Pagett

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Episode 13

For Love of Love

Mar 5, 197250mfinale

June 1909: Elizabeth and Lawrence Kirbridge have fallen in love and, refusing to conform to society's rules, announce their plan to live together without marriage, resulting in pressure from all sides. After Lawrence gives in and starts pressuring her too, Lizzie finally succumbs. Meanwhile, Sarah fulfills her dream to perform on the stage when she takes a job in a burlesque show. James shows up and, now that she no longer works for his family, wants to pursue the relationship they've both wanted for nearly six years.

Episode credits

Directed by Herbert WiseWritten by Rosemary Anne SissonGuest stars Simon Williams, Nicola Pagett, Jenifer Armitage, Sylvia Brayshay, Brian Osborne, Ian Ogilvy, Pauline Collins, Rachel Gurney

Where to watch Upstairs, Downstairs

Episode information updated Sep 11, 2026

More about Upstairs, Downstairs

Cast

Gordon JacksonAngus Hudson

Jean Marshself

Angela BaddeleyMrs. Bridges

David LangtonRichard Bellamy

Simon WilliamsJames Bellamy

Jacqueline TongDaisy Barnes

Anthony AinleyLord Charles Gilmour

Jenny Tomasinself

Credits

Created by: John Hawkesworth, Eileen Atkins, Jean Marsh
Written by: Alfred Shaughnessy, Jeremy Paul, John Hawkesworth, Rosemary Anne Sisson, Fay Weldon, Charlotte Bingham, Anthony Skene, Terence Brady, John Harrison, Julian Bond, Elizabeth Jane Howard, John Harrison

Production details

Status: Ended
Series type: Scripted
Episodes: 68
Original language: English

Networks & production

ITV1United Kingdom
LWTUnited Kingdom

Themes

master servant relationshipperiod dramasocial change

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