VisionTV presents the sequel to the legendary series followed by the Canadian broadcast premiere of the original classic!
The New Upstairs Downstairs
Starts Wednesday, May 23 at 9pm ET/6pm PT
A star-studded cast and lavish production values bring the series back to life in the new Upstairs Downstairs. It’s 1936, six years since parlourmaid Rose left 165 Eaton Place. Fate brings her back as housekeeper to its new owners: Sir Hallam, his wife Lady Agnes, and Lady Maud Holland, his mother. When Sir Hallam carries his wife across the threshold of their new home, Lady Agnes exclaims with pleasure, “What a ghastly old mausoleum!” Neglect has strewn cobwebs everywhere and furred the surfaces with dust. But with the help of the indomitable Rose, the iconic address so beloved in the original series Upstairs Downstairs is soon restored to its former glory. Within its walls however, lies a labyrinth of romance, heartbreak, secrets, lies, scandal, and the menace of war. The smooth running of Eaton Place is threatened to come to a shattering halt. There may be two families living in 165 – one upstairs and one down – but their fates are intimately linked.
Episode synopsis
THE FLEDGLING
Wednesday, May 23 at 9pm ET / 6pm PT
Sir Hallam Holland and his beautiful wife Lady Agnes inherit a dilapidated 165 Eaton Place, and set about restoring the house to its full glory. Former housemaid Rose Buck finds herself back in the house where she was happiest, but the arrival of an unwelcome guest puts a strain on relations, both upstairs and down.
THE LADYBIRD
Wednesday, May 30 at 9pm ET / 6pm PT
With no sign of a thaw in relations between Lady Agnes and Maud, Hallam finds his diplomatic skills put to the test at home as well as at work. The servants are intrigued by a mysterious new addition to the household, while a restless Lady Persie embarks on a dangerous flirtation, and is drawn to the thrill of radical politics.
THE CUCKOO
Wednesday, June 6 at 9pm ET / 6pm PT
Sir Hallam finds himself at the centre of a national crisis when his friend, the Duke of Kent, asks for help. Meanwhile, storm clouds are gathering within 165 Eaton Place, with Lady Agnes’s growing fear over the imminent arrival of her baby, and the servants’ concern for Lotte, who refuses to speak. But, as the king finally abdicates, Hallam makes a
discovery that will change his life forever.
The Original Classic Upstairs Downstairs – Season 1
Starts Wednesday, June 13 at 9pm ET/6pm PT
Victoria is dead; Edward is King. Upstairs is the family; downstairs the servants. When actresses Jean Marsh and Eileen Atkins devised the original series in the 1970s, it was because they felt the role of the working class was being airbrushed out of period TV dramas. The series was initially planned to focus on Downstairs. “But we decided we wanted it to be about both servants and masters,’’ says Marsh. “And in a way, that’s why it was such a wonderfully easy idea, because there are so many stories you can do about different classes rubbing up against each other.”
7 Emmys, 2 BAFTAs, a Peabody, and a Golden Globe later, the original 1970s Upstairs Downstairs series went on to reach one billion people in 70 countries! Now Canadians can relive, or discover, the perennially fascinating series.
Episode synopsis
ON TRIAL – Episode 1
Wednesday, June 13 at 9pm ET / 6pm PT
November, 1903: When a strange little Cockney girl calling herself Clemence and claiming a French background comes to the house in Eaton Place to be interviewed by Lady Marjorie Bellamy for a position as underhouse-parlour maid, she is engaged – to the surprise of the other servants. Her subsequent behaviour causes a storm in the usually calm
waters of this Edwardian household.
THE MISTRESS & THE MAIDS – Episode 2
Wednesday, June 20 at 9pm ET / 6pm PT
It’s June 1904, and Lady Marjorie is sitting for her portrait by Guthrie Scone, a Scottish aristocrat turned avant-garde painter. The new palourmaid – Clemence, now called Sarah by everyone – for convenience, went to Scone’s studio with some of her Ladyship’s dresses. And a relationship begins, which could end in a major society scandal.
BOARD WAGES – Episode 3
Wednesday, June 27 at 9pm ET / 6pm PT
It is August, 1904: the Bellamys and their senior servants are away on their summer holidays. The younger servants, left behind to clean the house on reduced pay – board wages – indulge in a wild evening of drinking and dressing-up. In the middle of the festivities, the door opens….
THE PATH OF DUTY – Episode 4
Wednesday, July 4 at 9pm ET / 6pm PT
It is May, 1905. Elizabeth Bellamy, home from abroad and about to make her society debut, shocks her family and the Servants by refusing to conform to custom. And at the first grand ball she creates a scandal.
A SUITABLE MARRIAGE – Episode 5
Wednesday, July 11 at 9pm ET / 6pm PT
Elizabeth falls for a young German baron, who comes to call at the Bellamy house. The family are pleased as the von
Rimmers are an old aristocratic family. But Richard Bellamy discovers things about the young Baron Klaus von Rimmer
which changes the situation. Alfred experiences a whole new dimension to life.
A CRY FOR HELP – Episode 6
Wednesday, July 18 at 9pm ET / 6pm PT
October, 1906. During a week when Richard Bellamy is alone in the house, working on a book, he finds the young
under – housemaid, Mary, crying as she lays the library fire. He learns of her secret trouble and unwisely promises to
help – a step that could endanger his career.
MAGIC CASEMENTS – Episode 7
Wednesday, July 25 at 9pm ET / 6pm PT
James Bellamy’s friend, Captain Hammond, a bronzed young Army captain from the North West Frontier, comes to the
house and is persuaded to escort Lady Marjorie to the opera. Next day, the servants are buzzing with gossip that the
mistress has fallen in love with the young captain.
I DIES FROM LOVE – Episode 8
Wednesday, August 1 at 9pm ET / 6pm PT
Upstairs, Lady Majorie and friends plan an outing for the servants. However, Downstairs there is romantic intrigue
going on between Emily and the next door footman.
WHY IS HER DOOR LOCKED – Episode 9
Wednesday, August 8 at 9pm ET / 6pm PT
Months after Emily’s death, a grief-ridden Mrs. Bridges takes leave of her senses.
A VOICE FROM THE PAST – Episode 10
Wednesday, August 15 at 9pm ET / 6pm PT
In the autumn of 1908, Elizabeth and James discover Sarah, the Bellamy’s former under-housemaid, starving in the East
End of London. Elizabeth decides to re-install the girl in the household, but, once again, Sarah causes trouble and
turmoil – upstairs and downstairs.
THE SWEDISH TIGER – Episode 11
Wednesday, August 22 at 9pm ET / 6pm PT
In October 1908, James has a Swedish army officer, Capt. Ryttsen, to stay as his guest at Eaton Place. Then valuable
objects begin to disappear, and suspicion falls on Sarah, who is under the spell of the officer’s handsome batman,
Thorkil Kraft.
THE KEY OF THE DOOR – Episode 12
Wednesday, August 29 at 9pm ET / 6pm PT
In November 1908, Elizabeth comes under the influence of a woman with radical views.
FOR LOVE OF LOVE – Episode 13
Wednesday, September 5 at 9pm ET / 6pm PT
June 1909: Elizabeth, now 21 and deeply in love with the poet Lawrence Kirbridge, is determined to lead a free, frank
and modern life. But she is fighting a losing battle with convention. At the same time, her brother, James, renews an
old friendship behind the footlights. As the Edwardian era, and this present series, draws to a close, the future of the
Bellamys hangs in the balance.
