The Edwardian Country House

The Edwardian Country House
DVD/VHS cover under the British title The Edwardian Country House
Genre	Historical reality television
Narrated by	Derek Jacobi
Country of origin	United Kingdom United States
No. of seasons	1
No. of episodes	5 (6 in the US version)
Production
Running time	60 min.
Release
Original network	Channel 4
Picture format	480i (SDTV)
Original release	23 April – 28 May 2002
External links
Website

The Edwardian Country House was a British mini-series in the reality television genre, produced by Channel 4. It was first aired in the UK in April 2002 and was later broadcast in the United States on various PBS stations in 2003 as Manor House, where extra footage was added. It is third in a series of historical reality shows produced by Channel 4, preceded by The 1900 House and The 1940s House.

In the series the Olliff-Cooper family are given the identities of turn-of-the-century and housed in Manderston, an opulent Scottish country house, where they live for three months in the Edwardian style. Mr. and Dr Olliff-Cooper become Sir John Olliff-Cooper and Lady Olliff-Cooper.

Interest and conflict is provided by the 15 servants, portrayed by individuals from several paths of life. Chief among these was Hugh Edgar, an architect from Surrey, who was cast in the role of the butler.

Participants received instruction and a set of rules by which they were expected to abide for the duration of the experiment. Most of the "upstairs" participants enjoy their time in the house, which is meant to represent the years 1905–1914. Those "below stairs" have a different experience; for those in the lowest ranks, particularly the successive scullery maids, life appears to be intolerable.

The new scullery maid looks like she will have no such problems - already she is the object of the hallboy's affection. But living as they do under the same roof, the relationship must be kept secret if they want to keep their jobs.

In honour of the guests the hosts will serve a glorious curry supper. At least, that was the plan. Chef falls ill and upstairs cannot be asked to postpone. A substitute team of Antonia, Kenny and Ellen must prepare the dinner alone. Monsieur Dubiard gives instructions from his sick bed taking them through grinding the spices, cooking the breads and making the bhajis. Contemporary thinkers including Yasmin Alibhai-Brown and Darcus Howe arrive at the house to challenge the jingoistic celebrations and to question the system of command, control and hierarchy within the house. As the glittering Ball gets under way, how long can power remain concentrated in the hands of the few?