Anne Reid talks about new series of Upstairs Downstairs

Anne Reid has discussed her role in the BBC revival of Upstairs Downstairs and admitted that expectations over the new series are huge, ‘especially in America’.

 

Anne Reid has discussed her role in the BBC revival of Upstairs Downstairs and admitted that expectations over the new series are huge, ‘especially in America’. The BBC has revived the period drama for three new episodes – with the possibility of a full series being commissioned if the new episodes are a hit. The new Upstairs Downstairs episodes are set in 1936 several years after the conclusion of the original series and only Jean Marsh (the show’s co-creator) is returning.

 

In the new Upstairs Downstairs actress Anne Reid plays the part of Clarice Thackeray, the new cook at 165 Eaton Place. In the interview with TV Choice Reid urged fans to give the revival a chance but admitted expectations are high over the revival especially in America.

 

“You can’t dwell on the pedigree too much. You have to put it out of your head. But it’s a double-edged sword [because] the expectations are huge, especially in America. The danger is that people will think they are getting the same thing [as the original] and they’re not. I hope people will give it a chance and look at it as something new. I think it’s a fascinating period.” – Anne Reid in TV Choice

 

Upstairs Downstairs originally ran on LWT between 1971 and 1975 charting the late Edwardian period through to the early 1930s; just after the Wall Street crash. It covered the events of those years through the Bellamy family and there servants and was a huge hit in the UK but also in America where its popularity continues to this day. The drama spawned one spin-off, Thomas and Sarah, in 1979 but several others were planned but ultimately never materialised.

 

The new Upstairs Downstairs launches on BBC One over the festive period.