Revived show starting to find its feet after slow start

Date Published: {J}

The new series of Upstairs Downstairs is back on BBC 1 on Sundays and, after a slow start, it’s finding its rhythm.

This is the second of the revived series, which was first screened on ITV in the 1970s. The original residents of 165 Eaton Place, the Bellamys, are long gone and a new family have moved in, with the continuing link being Rose, the onetime lady’s maid who is now housekeeper.

But she’s off with TB, setting the scene for a confrontation between the butler, Mr Pritchard and housekeeper, Mrs Thackeray, which provides plenty of light relief.

It’s 1938 and there’s little to be cheerful about. Head of the house, Sir Hallam Holland is one of the few British government officials unwilling to appease a belligerent Germany as he realises war is inevitable.

In episode two, the shadow of the Nazis’ anti-Semitic drive looms large in London as a campaign begins to accept Jewish children into England as refugees. Sir Hallam’s aunt, Dr Blanche and his wife Lady Agnes join forces with his late mother’s former assistant, Mr Amanjit for this in a move which captures the political tension and develops the relationship between the characters.

Lady Agnes’s sister Persie, meanwhile, has been living the high life in Germany, until she realises she is in danger and is brought back to England. There’s danger here, as a frisson between herself and Sir Hallam is waiting to ignite.

As Lady Agnes has become the subject of admiration for a wealthy American, there’s personal as well as political trouble ahead for the Hollands. Dr Blanche is about to rekindle an old lesbian affair, adding an extra bit of colour to the plot.

The relationship between master and servant depicted in this series seems very different to that of earlier eras, with less drudgery downstairs, possibly because of inventions such as electricity and hot water. But we see the struggle of workers as the cook’s nephew fails to set himself up in insurance business, while his wife works in a shop and they worry about routine bills.

There have been comparisons between Upstairs Downstairs and ITV’s Downton Abbey – mostly in Downton’s favour, but maybe that’s not fair.

Downton is great, enjoyable froth where even serious issues move at speed. Upstairs Downstairs is darker and more textured and looks like a slow, satisfying burner.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Sentinel.