Sunday, April 3, 2011

Sunday Morning Special: The First Episode of the Original “Upstairs, Downstairs.”

The Upstairs, Downstairs Web Pages
In 1971, executives at ITV worried that while “pretty,” their new program—Upstairs, Downstairs—would cause audiences to “tune out by the thousands.” The show, created by Jean Marsh and Eileen Atkins concerned the goings-on at the posh townhouse of Mr. and Lady Bellamy at 165 Eaton Place. Set, at the start, in 1903, the drama told the tale of the lives of both the aristocratic residents of the house as well as the servants below-stairs. The show became a hit, growing in popularity over the run of the series and is now one of the most beloved television programs of all time.


It’s no secret that I adore Upstairs, Downstairs. I will always have a soft spot in my heart for the original series and its superlative cast. It’s something that I can watch over and over again and find something new. The series is available on DVD and a new release of the original series was released on March 29.

Enjoy this clip from the first episode of the first series. It’s just such good television.

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