Alex Kingston joins Upstairs Downstairs

Alex Kingston will join the cast of BBC One drama Upstairs Downstairs for its second series.

The actress, who is currently appearing in Doctor Who as River Song, will join the cast as Blanche Mottershead, the younger sister of Lady Holland (Dame Eileen Atkins). The BBC has ordered a second six-part series of Upstairs Downstairs following its three-part revival over Christmas. Filming on the new episodes will start next month at the BBC’s new studios in Cardiff, Roath Lock which will also be the new home of Doctor Who and Casualty as well.

“I simply couldn’t resist the opportunity to get inside the iconic 165 Eaton Place. I can say the character is very complex, very intriguing and very straight-talking. She has some very dark secrets of her own.” – Alex Kingston

The second series of the revived Upstairs Downstairs will be set in 1938 and deals with events leading up to the outbreak of World War Two in 1939. Kenneth Cranham will also feature in the new episodes. However, it was reported over the Summer that Eileen Atkins had quit the series reportedly because she was unhappy with the scripts. Actress Jean Marsh – who co-created the original series with Atkins – was the only star of the original to return for the BBC revival.