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The Best Episodes of Upstairs, Downstairs

Every episode of Upstairs, Downstairs ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Upstairs, Downstairs!

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Upstairs: the wealthy, aristocratic Bellamys. Downstairs: their loyal and lively servants. For nearly 30 years, they share a fashionable townhouse at 165 Eaton Place in London’s posh Belgravia neighborhood, surviving social change, political upheaval, scandals,

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Upstairs, Downstairs Season 2 Episode 1 - The New Man
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #1 - The New Man

    S2:E1

    Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Kirbridge return from their honeymoon and set up their new household in nearby Greenwich.

    Director:Raymond Menmuir
    Writer:Rosemary Anne Sisson

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  2. Upstairs, Downstairs Season 2 Episode 2 - A Pair of Exiles
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    #2 - A Pair of Exiles

    S2:E2

    Sarah tells James she's having his baby and the Bellamys make provisions to avoid a major scandal.

    Director:Cyril Coke
    Writer:Alfred Shaughnessy

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  3. Upstairs, Downstairs Season 3 Episode 9 - Goodwill to All Men
    8.0/10(2 votes)

    #3 - Goodwill to All Men

    S3:E9

    It's Christmas 1913 and two young ladies, one from upstairs and the new parlor maid, conspire to spread holiday cheer to the less fortunate.

    Director:Christopher Hodson
    Writer:Alfred Shaughnessy

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  4. Upstairs, Downstairs Season 3 Episode 10 - What the Footman Saw
    1.0/10(2 votes)

    #4 - What the Footman Saw

    S3:E10

    A leisurely evening out with his chums, a few beers and some downstairs gossip give Edward a bigger headache than any hangover ever could.

    Director:Cyril Coke
    Writer:Jeremy Paul

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  5. Upstairs, Downstairs Season 5 Episode 6 - An Old Flame
    1.0/10(2 votes)

    #5 - An Old Flame

    S5:E6

    James and Lady Diana Newbury behave foolishly, with little regard of how it impacts others. Edward is in trouble with Daisy when he's caught in a lie.

    Director:Derek Bennett
    Writer:John Hawkesworth

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  6. Upstairs, Downstairs Season 1 Episode 1 - On Trial
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #6 - On Trial

    S1:E1

    November 1903: Clemence, young and inexperienced, is hired on a trial basis by Lady Marjorie, who decides Clemence is not an appropriate name for someone in service and changes it to Sarah. Being far too outspoken and having a tendency towards over exaggeration and drama, Sarah struggles to fit in and become accepted by the other servants.

    Director:Raymond Menmuir
    Writer:Fay Weldon

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Upstairs, Downstairs

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  7. Upstairs, Downstairs Season 1 Episode 2 - The Mistress and the Maids
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #7 - The Mistress and the Maids

    S1:E2

    June 1904: An artist, commissioned to paint Lady Marjorie's portrait, takes a shine to Sarah and convinces her to pose for him. The painting, depicting Sarah and her roommate, is a bit racy, and when the Bellamy's see it in a public exhibit, they fire both girls for what they wrongly conclude is "questionable behaviour."

    Director:Derek Bennett
    Writer:Alfred Shaughnessy

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  8. Upstairs, Downstairs Season 1 Episode 3 - Board Wages
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #8 - Board Wages

    S1:E3

    August 1904: Finding themselves alone and having the run of the house, the junior servants indulge in a night of wild partying. When James, the Bellamy's son, show up unexpectedly, the party takes an unusual turn, causing Sarah to reevaluate her life. Unhappy with what she sees, she makes a monumental decision that will alter her course forever.

    Director:Derek Bennett
    Writers:Charlotte Bingham, Terence Brady

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  9. Upstairs, Downstairs Season 1 Episode 4 - The Path of Duty
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #9 - The Path of Duty

    S1:E4

    May 1905: When Elizabeth returns home from abroad, her parents plan her debut into society, but the spirited young girl has little interest. She reluctantly agrees, but at the last moment, has a change of heart and flees. Rose, more like a sister than a servant, steps up and makes the girl see the situation in another light.

    Director:Joan Kemp-Welch
    Writer:John Harrison

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  10. Upstairs, Downstairs Season 1 Episode 5 - A Suitable Marriage
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #10 - A Suitable Marriage

    S1:E5

    December 1905: Elizabeth falls for a young German baron, whom her father is suspicious of. Richard quickly uncovers the Baron's secret, but as it turns out, Baron Klaus von Rimmer is hiding another secret, which Rose accidentally stumbles upon. The events of the evening compel one of the servants to betray not only the family, but the country as well.

    Director:Joan Kemp-Welch
    Writer:Jeremy Paul

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  11. Upstairs, Downstairs Season 1 Episode 6 - A Cry for Help
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #11 - A Cry for Help

    S1:E6

    October 1906: Mary, the new housemaid confides in Richard that she's pregnant, the result of an assault by a man who drunkenly forced himself on her. Insisting he must bear responsibility, she reveals the man is Myles Radford, the son of Richard's friend (and her previous employer), General Radford. Myles, outraged that Richard has the gall to question his integrity, gets even with a classless move that could have enormous legal, financial, and moral ramifications.

    Director:Derek Bennett
    Writer:Julian Bond

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  12. Upstairs, Downstairs Season 1 Episode 7 - Magic Casements
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #12 - Magic Casements

    S1:E7

    Summer 1906: Captain Hammond, a handsome young friend of James', graciously agrees to escort Lady Marjorie to the opera. Feeling a strong mutual attraction, they quickly realize how compatible they are, despite the age difference, Abuzz with gossip, the servants seem to be the only ones aware of what's going on.

    Director:Joan Kemp-Welch
    Writer:John Hawkesworth

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  13. Upstairs, Downstairs Season 1 Episode 8 - I Dies from Love
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #13 - I Dies from Love

    S1:E8

    April 1907: Believing destiny brought them together, Emily, the scruffy kitchen maid, falls deeply and hopelessly in love with a footman named William. When his mistress, Mrs. Van Groeben, learns about his relationship with Emily, she angrily orders William to stop seeing her, leaving Emily heartbroken and driven to an act of desperation.

    Director:Raymond Menmuir
    Writers:Charlotte Bingham, Terence Brady

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  14. Upstairs, Downstairs Season 1 Episode 9 - Why is Her Door Locked?
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #14 - Why is Her Door Locked?

    S1:E9

    November 1907: Everyone's been concerned about Mrs. Bridges, who's been despondent ever since Emily's suicide, but when they discover she took a baby from his pram when his mother wasn't looking, and brought him home with her, they realize she's suffering from a mental breakdown. Hoping to keep the incident quiet and protect everyone's reputations, the Bellamys return the baby to his parents and offer compensation, but refuse to divulge Mrs. Bridges' identity. The father, furious that they consider themselves above the law, has Mrs. Bridges arrested and during her hearing, Hudson makes an extraordinary gesture he hopes will keep her out of prison.

    Director:Brian Parker
    Writer:Alfred Shaughnessy

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  15. Upstairs, Downstairs Season 1 Episode 10 - A Voice from the Past
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #15 - A Voice from the Past

    S1:E10

    Autumn 1908: While providing food for the homeless, James and Elizabeth are surprised to run into Sara whose been living on the street. Elizabeth insists on taking her back to Eaton Place where she's given a job as a scullery maid. Sarah immediately reverts back to her old tricks and, claiming to be a medium, causes an uproar when she tries to conjure up the spirit of Emily during a seance.

    Director:Raymond Menmuir
    Writer:Jeremy Paul

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  16. Upstairs, Downstairs Season 1 Episode 11 - The Swedish Tiger
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #16 - The Swedish Tiger

    S1:E11

    James is visited by his friend Axel Ryttsen, a Swedish Army captain who lives for taking risks. With him is his valet, the handsome and charismatic Torkel Kraft. There is some scheming going on the manor house during their visit, but to what end?

    Director:Brian Parker
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. Upstairs, Downstairs Season 1 Episode 12 - The Key of the Door
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #17 - The Key of the Door

    S1:E12

    Winter 1908: Elizabeth befriends a bunch of Bohemian-types, but is drawn to two in particular: Evelyn Larkin, a radical Socialist extremist, and her lover, Lawrence Kirbridge, a handsome, free-spirited poet. On the eve of her 21st birthday, with her parents out of town, Lizzy invites the entire group to Eaton Place, and is humiliated when the Bellamys return home unexpectedly and throw everyone out. Anxious to prove she's nothing like her parents, Lizzy is compelled to do something extreme, leading to a falling out with her parents and a harsh discovery about Evelyn.

    Director:Raymond Menmuir
    Writers:Alfred Shaughnessy, John Hawkesworth

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  18. Upstairs, Downstairs Season 1 Episode 13 - For Love of Love
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #18 - For Love of Love

    S1:E13

    June 1909: Elizabeth and Lawrence Kirbridge have fallen in love and, refusing to conform to society's rules, announce their plan to live together without marriage, resulting in pressure from all sides. After Lawrence gives in and starts pressuring her too, Lizzie finally succumbs. Meanwhile, Sarah fulfills her dream to perform on the stage when she takes a job in a burlesque show. James shows up and, now that she no longer works for his family, wants to pursue the relationship they've both wanted for nearly six years.

    Director:Herbert Wise
    Writer:Rosemary Anne Sisson

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  19. Upstairs, Downstairs Season 2 Episode 3 - Married Love
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #19 - Married Love

    S2:E3

    Things have not improved in the Kirbridge household. It turns out they have yet to consummate their marriage. Lizzie, unaware she's married to a gay man, is miserable and angry, making Lawrence miserable, too. Realizing he cannot fulfill that "need" for her, Lawrence decides to enlist the help of a friend to fulfill those duties for him.

    Director:Raymond Menmuir
    Writer:John Harrison

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  20. Upstairs, Downstairs Season 2 Episode 4 - Whom God hath Joined...
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #20 - Whom God hath Joined...

    S2:E4

    Elizabeth comes home for Christmas without Lawrence. The Bellamys face another family crisis when it is discovered that Elizabeth is expecting a baby.

    Director:Bill Bain
    Writer:Jeremy Paul

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  21. Upstairs, Downstairs Season 2 Episode 5 - Guest of Honour
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #21 - Guest of Honour

    S2:E5

    There is great excitement among the servants when King Edward VII attends a supper party at Eaton Place. During the evening the arrival of an unexpected visitor creates an emergency below stairs.

    Director:Bill Bain
    Writer:Alfred Shaughnessy

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  22. Upstairs, Downstairs Season 2 Episode 6 - The Property of a Lady
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #22 - The Property of a Lady

    S2:E6

    Thomas is approached by a blackmailer who claims to have love letters from Lady Marjorie to Captain Hammond.

    Director:Derek Bennett
    Writer:Alfred Shaughnessy

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  23. Upstairs, Downstairs Season 2 Episode 7 - Your Obedient Servant
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #23 - Your Obedient Servant

    S2:E7

    The brothers of both Richard and Hudson are visiting, causing both men to do things they otherwise would not. For Hudson, it means putting on airs, and for Richard, the visit causes him to snoop, an action he considers beneath him.

    Director:Derek Bennett
    Writer:Fay Weldon

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  24. Upstairs, Downstairs Season 2 Episode 8 - Out of the Everywhere
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #24 - Out of the Everywhere

    S2:E8

    Elizabeth returns home with her newborn daughter, Lucy, and the very disagreeable and old Nanny Webster, to look after "Baby".

    Director:Christopher Hodson
    Writers:Charlotte Bingham, Terence Brady

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  25. Upstairs, Downstairs Season 2 Episode 9 - An Object of Value
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #25 - An Object of Value

    S2:E9

    Everyone's nerves are frazzled when Lord Southwold dies, Lady Southwold and her companion, Miss Hodges, spend a some time with Richard and Lady Marjorie and a valuable diamond brooch goes missing.

    Director:Raymond Menmuir
    Writer:Jeremy Paul

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Best Episodes Summary

"The New Man" is the best rated episode of "Upstairs, Downstairs". It scored 10/10 based on 1 votes. Directed by Raymond Menmuir and written by Rosemary Anne Sisson, it aired on 10/21/1972. This episode scored 1.0 points higher than the second highest rated, "A Pair of Exiles".