Upstairs Downstairs (BBC)

**CaptainWaggett** · 10-10-09 10:07 AM

The show originally ran on ITV from 1971 to 1975, spanning the fictional life of the Bellamy family from 1903 to 1930, and was the brainchild of actresses Dame Eileen Atkins and Jean Marsh.

The new version will be set in 1936.

It will be written by Heidi Thomas, who also wrote the BBC’s recent adaptations of Cranford and Ballet Shoes. “The house itself remains the central character,” said Miss Thomas. “It’s very, very close to the corridors of power. In the original series, Mr Bellamy was quite an influential MP and King Edward VII came to dinner. This house remains in Belgravia, it remains at the hub of empire – we’re going to have politicians and royalty passing through the house.”

Miss Thomas confirmed that the producers are trying to retain the original Upstairs, Downstairs theme tune. “We’re talking to the original composer,” she said. “It’s never occurred to us to do anything different. I think we’ll reorchestrate it slightly – perhaps come in on strings, and then morph it into more of a jazz sound.”

Miss Marsh will reprise her Emmy-winning role as Rose - now no longer a maid, but the housekeeper at the same celebrated address, 165 Eaton Place.

“If you had told me 35 years ago that I would be playing Rose again – for the BBC – I think I’d have had a good giggle,” said Miss Marsh. “Rose will have much more help in this one. There’ll be sweeping machines and washing powders and things. I can see disasters when it doesn’t work – when the Hoover explodes instead of sucking it in.”

The original series – which starred Gordon Jackson as Hudson the butler and Angela Baddeley as Mrs Bridges the cook – was shown in over 70 countries.

Dame Eileen did not appear in the original series, as filming would have clashed with her burgeoning career in the theatre. She is however likely to take a prominent role in the new version, as one of the wealthy and connected Holland family, who now own 165 Eaton Place.

“I probably will, sadly, have to be a lady upstairs,” said Dame Eileen. “I would much rather have been downstairs – they’re much more fun to play. But I’m too old to be employed as a servant.”

Along with the independent production company Sagitta Productions, Miss Marsh and Dame Eileen still own the rights to Upstairs, Downstairs. They have received many offers over the years to revive it – but, until now, none that has come to fruition.

“A long time ago Jack Webb, an American producer, wanted Gordon Jackson and me to film a series in Los Angeles with us running an employment agency,” said Miss Marsh. “Then a musical was going to be done, but that fell through.”

The new version will start as two feature-length episodes, executive produced by Miss Thomas and Piers Wenger, the head of drama for BBC Wales. It will start to be filmed next spring. It will be transmitted on BBC One later in 2010, with a full series possibly following in 2011.

**Mark O** · 10-10-09 10:20 AM

Sounds a good idea, maybe Heidi needs to do a little more character research as in the final series of UD Rose wasn't a cleaning maid as such but Lady's maid to Lady Bellamy and she went down to Dorset with them to be housekeeper, be interesting to see how and why she returns to Eaton Place.........

**CaptainWaggett** · 10-10-09 10:29 AM

I was thinking, 'good grief, Rose must be a 103 by now' but of course the original series ended in 1930 so I guess she'd now be in her early 60s which is fine for being a housekeeper.

**faginsgirl** · 10-10-09 12:42 PM

Hmm not sure about this!

But it will be great to see Jean Marsh back on our screens again of course!

xx

**Automotivehistorian** · 10-10-09 01:13 PM

How did Rose get back to Eaton Place as has just been suggested? Did Viscount Bellamy pass on and his second wife remarry? Sounds a great idea though and my wife for one will be glued to the set to see how it pans out.

**jaycad** · 10-10-09 01:24 PM

although i'm absolutely made up with the possible return of 'upstairs,downstairs' i'm concerned about the points raised by both mark o and automotivehistorian regarding rose moving away to the country with the bellamy's as ladys maid-if it's to be set in eaton place,then i hope the reasons rose finds herself back are believable-i hope it's not in the style of conan doyles resurrection of sherlock holmes!

great news otherwise!!!

**EllyMack** · 10-10-09 01:51 PM

I look forward to this with interest. Not sure about returning to Eton Place, though. I'd much rather have seen the continuing fortunes of the Bellamy family wherever they ended up.

Many years ago, in the late 70s when I was learning to ride, I rode a horse called Georgina who had starred as the Bolter in the episode of the same name. She was chosen by the producer for her steady character as much as for her striking looks, and was a first rate schoolmistress. She was one of the owner's son's event horses. A few years later the son took a tumble whilst out hunting with her on Boxing Day. Georgina took herself home unharmed but sadly her owner had sustained a spinal injury and never walked or competed again.

**CaptainWaggett** · 10-10-09 01:56 PM

name='EllyMack']I look forward to this with interest. Not sure about returning to Eton Place, though. I'd much rather have seen the continuing fortunes of the Bellamy family wherever they ended up..

Which Bellamies though? Viscount Bellamy must have been at least 80 at the end of the series (and David Langton is no longer with us) and Captain James was dead. This leaves Georgina and the Duke of Whatsit, and Hannah Gordon's kids, plus Elizabeth, last heard of in the USA. Given that they need a new set of actors, it seems sensible to keep the house to provide the conintuity (which I'm sure Jean Marsh will keep an eye on).

I just hope the new owners keep that odd circle pattern in the drawing room. Eaton Place wouldn't be the same without it (though you do wonder why they didn't just get a painting)

**jaycad** · 10-10-09 02:02 PM

name='CaptainWaggett']Which Bellamies though? Viscount Bellamy must have been at least 80 at the end of the series (and David Langton is no longer with us) and Captain James was dead. This leaves Georgina and the Duke of Whatsit and Hannah Gordon's kids, plus Elizabeth, last heard of in the USA. Given that they need a new set of actors, it seems sensible to keep the house to provide the conintuity (which I'm sure Jean Marsh will keep an eye on)

i'd be interested in the fortunes of james bellamy(wherever he ended up)-now that would be a novel idea!

i agree with the captain regarding keeping the same location as the continuation of known characters has already been done with 'thomas and sarah'-as i've already said,whilst i'd love to see 'rose' again,it would take a deft bit of scriptwriting to make it believable!

**GRAEME** · 10-10-09 02:03 PM

name='CaptainWaggett']I was thinking, 'good grief, Rose must be a 103 by now' but of course the original series ended in 1930 so I guess she'd now be in her early 60s which is fine for being a housekeeper.

If the new series is set in 1936 - and Jean is meant to be the same Rose - she must have had a VERY hard 6 years to have aged that much in such a short time!

**CaptainWaggett** · 10-10-09 02:07 PM

name='GRAEME']If the new series is set in 1936 - and Jean is meant to be the same Rose - she must have had a VERY hard 6 years to have aged that much in such a short time!

Why? The series was set 1902-1930 and it was clear that Rose was well into her 20s when the series began. Jean Marsh and Simon Williams are both quite funny in interviews about the writers' failure to come to grips with the passage of time (apparently while Simon Williams was greying his air, David Langton was colouring his darker!). Goodness knows how old Hudson and Mrs B were meant to be when they 'retired' to run a boarding house ...presumably Ruby didn't have long to wait before she inherited

**jaycad** · 10-10-09 02:08 PM

name='GRAEME']If the new series is set in 1936 - and Jean is meant to be the same Rose - she must have had a VERY hard 6 years to have aged that much in such a short time!

very good point!! then again,mr hudson,edward and mrs bridges hardly aged in nearly thirty five years in the original showing!

**pelam123** · 10-10-09 02:30 PM

name='jaycad']i'd be interested in the fortunes of james bellamy(wherever he ended up)-now that would be a novel idea!

i agree with the captain regarding keeping the same location as the continuation of known characters has already been done with 'thomas and sarah'-as i've already said,whilst i'd love to see 'rose' again,it would take a deft bit of scriptwriting to make it believable!

As CW pointed out James Bellamy ended up six foot under, having committed suicide in the final episode after being ruined in the Wall Street Crash. A lot of the original cast are still around of course, Christopher Beeny, Jaqueline Tonge, Lesley- Anne Down, Elizabeth Paget, and good old Ruby (Jenny Tomasin). Seems to me if they are going to do it they might as well turn it into a unashamed nostalgia fest and bring back as many of the surviving cast as possible.

**faginsgirl** · 10-10-09 02:37 PM

name='jaycad']i'd be interested in the fortunes of james bellamy(wherever he ended up)-now that would be a novel idea!

Unfortunately for us ladies there will be no James.

I like to think Pauline Collins and John Alderton would visit Rose at some point though!

And it would be interesting to see what Ruby made of herself.

xx

**jaycad** · 10-10-09 02:41 PM

name='pelam123']As CW pointed out James Bellamy ended up six foot under, having committed suicide in the final episode after being ruined in the Wall Street Crash. A lot of the original cast are still around of course, Christopher Beeny, Jaqueline Tonge, Lesley- Anne Down, Elizabeth Paget, and good old Ruby (Jenny Tomasin). Seems to me if they are going to do it they might as well turn it into a unashamed nostalgia fest and bring back as many of the surviving cast as possible.

exactly!-i was wondering whether the potential 'james' story would be set 'upstairs' or 'downstairs' if you get my drift?(suicide being a crime in the eyes of the church)

ruby was my favourite character-i always got the impression she may 'bump off' mr and mrs hudson and inherit their holiday home after her final set of lines!

**James Fox** · 10-10-09 03:15 PM

"A long time ago Jack Webb, an American producer, wanted Gordon Jackson and me to film a series in Los Angeles with us running an employment agency,” said Miss Marsh.

"Jean, you sit in the chair. Gordon, stand next her. Now, no acting, you two. Just read from the teleprompter."

That Jack Webb?

**EllyMack** · 10-10-09 04:57 PM

I get what you mean, CaptainWaggett. Just not keen on the idea of an excuse to take them back to Eaton Place. But then again ... I suppose you're right.

Still, they could do a Blackadder/Dallas and have a long lost, illegitimate son of either Captain James or the Viscount turn up.

Or perhaps Mr Hudson had a secret, torrid affair with Elizabeth just before she went to America and now their child is back to claim his mother's fortune?

Or maybe Lady Bellamy didn't go down on the Titanic after all? Maybe she was rescued and lost her memory, got married and had another baby ... who's found out who he is and has come back to claim what's rightfully his?

What about Ruby turning out to have been the Viscount's/Mrs Bridges' illegitimate daughter and inheriting the lot?

Or do you think I should shut up now?

**jaycad** · 10-10-09 05:36 PM

name='EllyMack']I get what you mean, CaptainWaggett. Just not keen on the idea of an excuse to take them back to Eaton Place. But then again ... I suppose you're right.

Still, they could do a Blackadder/Dallas and have a long lost, illegitimate son of either Captain James or the Viscount turn up.

Or perhaps Mr Hudson had a secret, torrid affair with Elizabeth just before she went to America and now their child is back to claim his mother's fortune?

Or maybe Lady Bellamy didn't go down on the Titanic after all? Maybe she was rescued and lost her memory, got married and had another baby ... who's found out who he is and has come back to claim what's rightfully his?

What about Ruby turning out to have been the Viscount's/Mrs Bridges' illegitimate daughter and inheriting the lot?

Or do you think I should shut up now?

how about-edward comes into a large sum of money unexpectedly and takes over eaton place only to find out his mysterious benefactor is none other than.............alfred! (who survived the noose with the help of a 'steel collar')

alfred was brilliant and came to a very premature end IMO

**faginsgirl** · 10-10-09 06:00 PM

name='EllyMack']Still, they could do a Blackadder/Dallas and have a long lost, illegitimate son of either Captain James or the Viscount turn up.

Or James could turn up in the shower (ok, bath then!)

xx

**jaycad** · 10-10-09 06:32 PM

name='faginsgirl']Or James could turn up in the shower (ok, bath then!)

xx

with his six years of mould,all bone and worm-eaten shroud! faginsgirl,you do have some strange fantasies-you'll have to stop reading poe!!!

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