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Homepage ► Upstairs Downstairs

BBC1 has commissioned a new series of six one-hour episodes for broadcast in 2012 following the fortunes of the Holland family during the social and political upheaval of the late 1930s.

The first series shown at the end of 2010 was viewed by between 7.5 and 8.9 million. (Updated 25/02/2011)

Back ot 1930’s Belgravia

Set in 1936, the three, hour-long episodes, broadcast on BBC One at Christmas, tok viewers, old and new, back to the lavish world of Belgravia, London.

A new set of occupants resided at the iconic address and viewers saw how external and internal influences of the tumultuous pre-war period shape and mould the lives of this wealthy family and their servants.

Upstairs, Keeley Hawes is Lady Agnes Holland, the beautiful, spirited and socially ambitious woman who plans to take society by storm. Her husband and master of the house, diplomat Sir Hallam Holland, has his work cut out keeping the peace between his wife and mother and was played by Ed Stoppard.

Dame Eileen Atkins played Maud, Lady Holland – the straight-speaking mother-in-law who causes sparks to fly as soon as she arrives. And Claire Foy played Lady Persephone – the beautiful, younger sister of Lady Agnes who refuses to adhere to the rules of 165 Eaton Place.

Downstairs, Jean Marsh reprised her role as Rose Buck – and is now the reliable housekeeper. Anne Reid played Mrs Thackeray, the resident cook, Adrian Scarborough played the highly strung, teetotal butler, Mr Pritchard and Aedt Malik played Mr Amanjit, loyal servant to Maud.

Upstairs Downstairs for a whole new audience

Jay Hunt, Controller, BBC One said: "Upstairs Downstairs is a piece of TV history and this wonderful cast bring it alive for a whole new audience."

The revival was written by award-winning writer Heidi Thomas (Cranford, Madame Bovary, Ballet Shoes).

Of taking the audience back to 165 Eaton Place, she says: "Bringing 165 Eaton Place back to life has been the greatest honour and privilege of my career. It really is a dream come true for me, and I am thrilled that our actors feel the same."

Jean Marsh returns to Upstairs Downstairs

The original series, created by Jean Marsh and Dame Eileen Atkins in association with Sagitta Productions, was first broadcast in 1971. It was an international success – winning seven Emmys, two Baftas and a Golden Globe.

Jean Marsh says: "This series has been beautifully cast and I was completely enthralled listening to them bring the scripts to life at the read through. I feel very happy and very comfortable – I feel very lucky. For the rest of the cast it was their first episode of Upstairs Downstairs. For me, it was my 56th. I am very much looking forward to the start of filming and I am very much looking forward to returning to 165 Eaton Place."

Made in Wales

Made by BBC Cymru Wales Drama, Upstairs Downstairs filmis in south Wales.

Piers Wenger, Head of Drama BBC Cymru Wales says: "Upstairs Downstairs is not just one of the most loved and famous series in the history of British television but of television all over the world. Heidi Thomas' scripts have already attracted an irresistible cast, led by Jean Marsh and Dame Eileen Atkins, and I cannot wait to see this peerless drama brought back to life."

Upstairs Downstairs was commissioned by Ben Stephenson, Controller of BBC Drama Commissioning, and Jay Hunt, Controller, BBC One. ‬

Executive producers are Piers Wenger, Head of Drama BBC Cymru Wales, Heidi Thomas and Kate Harwood, Controller Drama Series and Serials. It will be directed by Euros Lyn (Torchwood – Children Of Earth, Doctor Who) and produced by Nikki Wilson (Doctor Who, The Sarah Jane Adventures).

Upstairs Downstairs is a co-production with Masterpiece on PBS.

Upstairs Downstairs starring Keeley Hawes & Ed Stoppard

Lives above and below stairs in 1930’s Belgravia

Starring Ellen Atkins, Jean Marsh, Kelley Hawes, Ed Stoppard, Anne Reid, Claire Foy, Adrian Scarborough, Art Malik

Photograph of the cast of the BBC period drama series

Upstairs Downstairs