Upstairs, Downstairs (1971 TV series)

Upstairs, Downstairs
GenreDrama
Created by
Developed byAlfred Shaughnessy
Written by
Starring
Theme music composerAlexander Faris
Opening theme"The Edwardians"
Ending theme"What Are We Going to Do with Uncle Arthur?"
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series5
No. of episodes68 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producerRex Firkin
ProducerJohn Hawkesworth
Running time50 minutes
Production companyLWT
Original release
NetworkITV
Release10 October 1971 (1971-10-10) –
21 December 1975 (1975-12-21)
Related
Upstairs Downstairs (2010 TV series)
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Upstairs, Downstairs is a British drama television series produced by London Weekend Television (LWT) for ITV. It ran for 68 episodes divided into five series on ITV from 1971 to 1975.

Set in a large townhouse at 165 Eaton Place in Belgravia in central London, the series depicts the servants—"downstairs"—and their masters, the family—"upstairs"—between the years 1903 and 1930, and shows the slow decline of the British aristocracy. Great events feature prominently in each episode but minor or gradual changes are also noted. The show may be regarded as a documentary of the social and technological changes that occurred during those 27 years, including the Edwardian period, women's suffrage, the First World War, the Roaring Twenties, and the Wall Street Crash. It was a ratings success for ITV and received outstanding acclaim worldwide, winning multiple awards.

The BBC Wales and Masterpiece-produced continuation Upstairs Downstairs was broadcast by BBC One in 2010.


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