So, after a gap of 35 years, the doors of 165 Eaton Place have been opened again. If some of you are unfamiliar with this address, then you clearly haven't watched enough Upstairs Downstairs!
Upstairs Downstairs was first broadcast between 1971 and 1975, it ran for 68 episodes, broken down into 5 series.
The original concept for the series was based on idea dreamt up between Jean Marsh, who went on to play Rose Buck (the House Maid) in the series and Eileen Atkins, who unfortunately did not have a part in the original series (due to stage commitments). However, in the new series Eileen Atkins gets to play; Lady Maud Holland.
Having seen all 3 of the new series, Eileen Atkins is a delight to watch and really gives a full blooded colonial performance as Lady Holland, which sets the mood and time period perfectly. I am really pleased that Dame Eileen Atkins (I keep forgetting she is a Dame), gets to play a part in the new production, as it was her baby after all.
Being a huge fan of the "classic" series, I was concerned that a re-hash of an old favourite might be cause for great concern, I mean how can anybody top the stoic professionalism of Gordon Jackson as the staid and upright Butler; Hudson?
And what about the comely charm and homely, motherly appeal of Mrs Bridges, ably portrayed by Angela Baddely?
However, in the 2010 series Cook and Butler are back in action below stairs, this time it is Mrs Thackeray and Mr Pritchard, played by the lovely Anne Reid (Dinnerladies, Coronation Street etc.) and Adrian Scarborough (Gavin & Stacey, Midsomer Murders etc.). In fact Adrian Scarboroughs' performance as Pritchard was outstanding, he is fast becoming one of my favourite character actors.
Of course, the new series and the old series would not be the same without the inimitable Jean Marsh and although her portrayal of Rose Buck in the new series was, I think, a little understated, I do see great potential there, for a complete new series, perhaps taking over from the likes of Downton Abbey as the flagship period drama for the BBC.
We will have to wait and see.
