First broadcast: 1971
Stars: Gordon Jackson, Jean Marsh, David Langton, Pauline Collins, Hannah Gordon and many more
Writers: Include Alfred Shaughnessy, Jeremy Paul
The lowdown: This period drama follows the lives of the affluent Bellamy family and their servants at 165 Eaton Place, a fashionable London address. Set from 1903 to 1930, the show features MP Richard Bellamy (David Langton) as the head of the household, with Scottish butler Hudson (Gordon Jackson) in charge of all things “below stairs”. Other key characters include sour housemaid Rose (Jean Marsh), parlour maid Sarah (Pauline Collins), chauffeur Thomas (John Alderton), cook Mrs Bridges (Angela Baddeley) and Mr Bellamy’s dashing son, James (Simon Williams).
As well as their personal dramas (taking in suicide, divorce, illegitimate children and much more) the series also incorporates historical events, including the sinking of the Titanic in 1912, which sees off the first Mrs Bellamy, Lady Marjorie (Rachel Gurney), while several of the household are also affected by World War I.
Memorable moment: When King Edward VII comes to dinner. The excitement and tension increase as parlour maid Sarah goes in to labour downstairs, with the child from her affair with James.
Trivia: Jean Marsh and fellow actress Eileen Atkins came up with the original idea for the show, which started out as a comedy called Behind the Green Baize Door.
