Thomas and Sarah

Thomas and Sarah

1979 - United Kingdom

When the saga of the upstairs Bellamy family and their downstairs servants in the BAFTA Award- winning series Upstairs, Downstairs finally ended in 1975 there were, understandably, many ideas bandied about for spin-off series'. Two of the characters that the public had taken to heart were Thomas Watkins, the Bellamy's chauffeur, and Sarah, their nursery maid (played by real-life husband and wife John Alderton and Pauline Collins). 

At a memorial service for Cyril Bennett, the LWT Controller who had died in November 1976, his successor Michael Grade agreed to do a programme with Alderton and Collins. Former Upstairs, Downstairs script editor Alfred Shaughnessy and series producer John Hawkesworth put forward the idea for Thomas and Sarah originally to be called In Confidence. Hawkesworth was commissioned to write a synopsis for the programme which became the only spin-off from Upstairs, Downstairs. Surreal and dramatic with sharp entertaining scripts Thomas and Sarah proved to be yet another success when first broadcast in 1979. 

Alfred Shaughnessy later wrote episodes for The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, The Cedar Tree, The Irish RM and All Creatures Great and Small. John Hawkesworth produced the BBC drama The Duchess of Duke Street, and created as well as produced the 1979 Euston Films series Danger UXB for Thames Television. During the 1980s, he produced many television programmes including The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. Alderton and Collins later teamed up for another ITV series, Forever Green.

Published on February 6th, 2019. Written by Laurence Marcus for Television Heaven.

Read Next...

The Mary Tyler Moore Hour

After the success of her long running sitcom, Mary Tyler Moore was ready for a new challenge. But things didn't go as well as was hoped for...

Also released in 1979

My Cousin Rachel

Based on Daphne du Maurier’s gothic novel of suspicion, mistrust and murder.

Also tagged Uk Drama Series

Poldark

Winston Graham's series of historical novels published from 1945 to 1953 and again from 1973 to 2002, was one of the most successful British television adaptations of all time having been sold to over forty countries.

Also tagged Period Drama

Mr. Men

Roger Hargreaves' delightful characters had captured the hearts of readers young and old since 1971, so it was only natural that Mr. Tickle, Mr. Happy, Mr. Grumpy, et al, would become just as popular in an animated television series

Also starring John Alderton

Emergency Ward 10

Britain's first medical soap, which was also the first of the country's twice-weekly serials, went on to become one of the nation’s best loved programmes, reaching an average audience of 16 million people a week and 24 million at its peak.

Also starring John Alderton

Judge Dee TV series

Ancient Chinese detective stories written in English by a modern Dutch diplomat.

Also tagged Period Drama

The Omega Factor

Psychic investigators seek out the paranormal to get a better understanding of the human mind.

Also released in 1979

A successful writer of detective novels, living a wealthy life, is also a part-time private eye in this television version of a successful radio series

Also released in 1979

Ripper Street

Whitechapel in London's East End, 1889, six months after the infamous Jack the Ripper murders.

Also tagged Period Drama