The original series, created by Jean Marsh and Dame Eileen Atkins in association with Sagitta Productions, was first broadcast in 1971. It was an international success — winning seven Emmys, two Baftas and a Golden Globe.
Jean Marsh says: "This series has been beautifully cast and I was completely enthralled listening to them bring the scripts to life at the read through. I feel very happy and very comfortable — I feel very lucky. For the rest of the cast it was their first episode of Upstairs Downstairs. For me, it was my 56th. I am very much looking forward to the start of filming and I am very much looking forward to returning to 165 Eaton Place."
The Museum of Broadcast Communications published the following about Upstairs, Downstairs:
The Bellamys and their staff of domestic servants resided in a five-story townhouse at 165 Eaton Place, Belgravia, in London, an address well known to the series' many fans. The upstairs family includes Lord Richard Bellamy (David Langton), his first wife Lady Marjorie (Rachel Gurney) who dies tragically on the Titanic, their two children James (Simon Williams) and Elizabeth (Nicola Pagett), Richard's second wife Virginia (Hannah Gordon), James' wife Hazel (Meg Wynn Owen) who dies in a flu epidemic, and cousin to James and Elizabeth Georgina Worsley (Lesley-Anne Down).
Among the most memorable of the downstairs staff are Hudson the butler (Gordon Jackson), Mrs. Bridges the cook (Angela Baddeley), Rose (Jean Marsh), Ruby (Jenny Tomasin), Edward (Christopher Beeny) and Daisy (Jacqueline Tong). Among the many other characters who appeared in a number of episodes perhaps Sarah (Pauline Collins), Watkins (John Alderton), Sir Geoffrey the family solicitor (Raymond Huntley), and Lady Pru (Joan Benham) are the most fondly remembered by viewers.
The large cast, only partially noted here, is considered to include some of the best actors from British stage, film and television. The series earned the respect of professional peers as well as that of the audience. Its cast won numerous awards, both in Britain and America, including 8 Emmys, Writers Guild of Great Britain Awards, American Drama Critics Circle Awards, Golden Globe Awards, and a Peabody Award. Angela Baddeley (Mrs. Bridges) received the C.B.E. (Commander of the British Empire), awarded in the Queen's 1975 New Year's Honours List.
According to Queen Elizabeth II, Upstairs, Downstairs was her favorite program in 1975 and Mrs. Bridges her favorite character. In addition, Gordon Jackson (Hudson) received the coveted Queen's Order of the British Empire Award.
The series was developed by John Hawkesworth, whose long and distinguished career in film and television extends from art director on the film The Third Man to producer of the well regarded Sherlock Holmes series featuring Jeremy Brett. This was the first program from LWT to be purchased for Masterpiece Theatre and only the second non-BBC program to be scheduled.
Upstairs, Downstairs was one of the first series of its type to be produced on videotape rather than film (though certain scenes, mainly exteriors and location shots, were shot on film). It was one of the first series on Masterpiece Theatre that was not biographical or based on a written work. It was created purely for television. As originally produced for British television each episode in the series was written in three acts. On Masterpiece Theatre each episode was shown without interruption.
Upstairs, Downstairs: The Complete Series - 40th Anniversary Collection has just released the Complete Series of the original Upstairs, Downstairs in a 40th Anniversary Collection with more than 25 hours of never-before-seen extras.
Editor's Note: Don't overlook other DVDs about the English Aristocracy and class. Most notably, Eileen Atkins starred in 
Gosford Park. In Atkins' own life, her father was the under-chauffeur to a Portuguese Ambassador.
Atkins and Jean Marsh also collaborated in the creation of 
The House of Eliott - Complete Collection, a series worth watching not only for the fashion careers of the heroines, but for the couture industry depicted.
The Shooting Party, with an animal rights connection, but James Mason's last film, is well directed and superbly acted.
For an reality show approach, try the series, 2003 PBS produced 
Manor House.
The French version of the subject of aristocracy and servants was illustrated by the interwar drama, 
The Rules of the Game - Criterion Collection, a Jean Renoir (son of the famed painter) film, in which an assortment of weekend guests staying at the chateau of the Comte de la Cheyniest.
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