upstairs downstairs | The Fledgling, on Masterpiece Classic PBS | Upstairs, Downstairs' story returns to PBS

On Tonight: Going Back 'Upstairs, Downstairs

 "Upstairs Downstairs" Thirty-five years after it last aired, and in a season when many of its sensibilities have already been brilliantly echoed in "Downton Abbey," here comes the return of "Upstairs Downstairs" on "Masterpiece Classic" (CPTV, 9 p.m.).
Things have changed in the years since the Bellamy family (and its staff) moved out of 165 Eaton Place. It's 1936 and a young, upwardly mobile couple is moving in to the dusty old place and they have to hire their own staff. Lucky that the local owner of a domestic employment agency is none other than Rose. And Jean Marsh, now 75, is the only returning cast member from the beloved PBS original.

Still, there are some connections with the old series in its collection of a butler, cook and young flirtatious staff (one of whom, Ellie Kendrick, recently had the title role in the "Masterpiece" production of "The Diary of Anne Frank"). There is also the moving backdrop of British history which conincides with the abdication of King Edward VIII and the rise of Hitler's Germany.

The cast includes Dame Eileen Atkins as an amusingly meddling mother who moves in after a stint in India, and Keely Hawes and Ed Stoppard as the couple. The home itself doesn't bring back all that many memories and while the action is sprightly and taut in the first episode, it's undercut by the knowledge that this whole exercise will be over after three one-hour episodes.
That means there will be no crossover possibilities with the even more lavish "Mildred Pierce" (HBO, 9 p.m.), which has covered roughly the same time period in Los Angeles, and comes to an end with its two final episodes. Even Rachel Wood enters the picture as the still-devious grown up Veda; Guy Pearce continues his role as the disappointing Monty and Kate Winslet completes her remarkable tour de force in the title role.

The Story of Upstairs Downstairs - Intro


upstairs downstairs | The Fledgling, on Masterpiece Classic PBS | Upstairs, Downstairs' story returns to PBS