Upstairs, Downstairs

When the General Strike is announced across Britain in May 1926, every member of the Bellamy household gathers under one roof. The news of the nationwide work stoppage draws the family together, prompting shared conversations about its impact on their daily lives and a solemn mood that pervades the quiet rooms still throughout the household. Amid this atmosphere, the family’s politician, Richard Bellamy, becomes increasingly uneasy. The strike’s political ramifications weigh heavily on him, leaving him both anxious and deeply saddened by the turmoil sweeping the nation. Throughout the evening he remains pensive, his thoughts turning over for the possible outcomes of the work stoppage in his mind later.

The French Ambassador and his wife are asked to attend a dinner at Eaton Place, the grand townhouse that forms the heart of the series. Their arrival is meant to bring a touch of diplomatic elegance to the household’s evening, but on the night before the scheduled banquet, Hudson, the long‑standing footman, falls ill, putting the smooth running of the event in doubt. The narrative stays firmly within its period‑drama setting, focusing on the disruption caused by Hudson’s sudden sickness. Gordon Jackson appears in the production, adding his familiar presence to the cast. The household must quickly adjust its plans to accommodate the unexpected setback, and the staff scramble to ensure the guests are still received with proper courtesy.

Frederick, a resident of the distinguished Eaton Place, finds himself quite flattered by the polite attentions of an aristocratic visitor who arrives at the house. The episode unfolds in 1927, offering a glimpse of the social atmosphere of the late twenties, where class distinctions and genteel manners subtly shape everyday interactions. This brief encounter centres on Frederick’s modest pride and the guest’s refined demeanor. The drama features performances by Gareth Hunt and Jean Marsh, whose presence adds a familiar touch to the period setting. The refined décor of Eaton Place reflects the elegance of the era, while the dialogue hints at the subtle hierarchies that defined British society at that time.

The episode titled “Will Ye No Come Back Again?” centres on a brief fishing excursion set in the Scottish countryside. In the story, Lord Berkhamstead extends the use of his lodge to Richard Bellamy, allowing the latter a short stay for the purpose of angling. The narrative unfolds as a drama, with the two principal roles performed by Gordon Jackson and David Langton. Their characters’ interaction over the modest holiday forms the core of the programme, offering a glimpse of rural leisure against the backdrop of a noble’s hospitality. The lodge’s serene surroundings lend a calm atmosphere, while the short angling venture subtly highlights the characters’ differing outlooks.

In this episode, Virginia becomes infatuated with a man whose reputation for flirting precedes him, while Richard, convinced the man is homosexual, deliberately turns a blind eye to any impropriety. Richard's assumption leads him to dismiss the man's advances as harmless, yet a mutual friend, uneasy about the situation, approaches James and alerts him that the man's true motives are far from innocent. The warning exposes the deception and forces the characters to reassess their perceptions of the flirt's intentions. Hannah Gordon appears in the cast, delivering her role within this tangled web of attraction and misunderstanding in the storyline.

After taking the Bellamys' car for a brief escapade, Georgina is forced to face the law in a courtroom setting. The trial centres on the moment she lost control of the vehicle and struck a pedestrian, resulting in that person's death. The prosecution argues that her actions directly led to the fatal outcome, while the defence seeks to mitigate her responsibility. Throughout the hearing, the focus remains on the circumstances surrounding the collision and the legal consequences of causing a death behind the wheel. Ultimately, the case determines whether Georgina will be held accountable for the loss of life in this jurisdiction.