The show returned on Boxing Day 2010 after a 30 year absence with a three-part run which introduced us to Sir Hallam Holland (Ed Stoppard) and Lady Agnes (Keeley Hawes) as they moved into their new home – the legendary 165 Eaton Place.
Written by Heidi Thomas, the series also stars Jean Marsh as Rose, the only returning character from the original ITV series.
The first three episodes also featured Eileen Atkins, who co-created the original series with Marsh, as Maud, Mother-in-Law to Lady Agnes.
In September it was announced Atkins would not reprise her role and that Doctor Who and ER star Alex Kingston would join the cast as Maud’s younger sister, Dr Blanche Mottershead.
Kenneth Cranham also joins the show as Sergeant Ashworth, a police officer who answers an emergency call at 165 Eaton Place.
Set in September 1938, the new series starts in finds Sir Hallam anxious about affairs in Germany and determined to persuade those in power that Hitler can’t be contained.
But when he is met with short shrift from his superiors and sees his wife’s concern over what the possibility of another war might mean for their young family, Hallam is forced to consider whether his approach is the right one…and when he meets an unexpected face in Germany he begins to question more than his political beliefs.
Downstairs, with Rose taken ill with TB, the staff welcome spirited new maid Beryl, who catches Harry’s (Neil Jackson) eye. But Beryl struggles to adjust to life in service and has greater ambitions.
Upstairs Downstairs returns to BBC One and BBC One HD in February.
The 2011 revival of Upstairs Downstairs is available on DVD from the seenit.co.uk store
