Thomas and Sarah / Upstairs Downstairs (1979) 1 of 13 "Birds of a Feather" TV Period Drama Series

A spin-off series from the original Upstairs Downstairs. 13 episodes in all. Former parlourmaid and chauffeur to the Bellamys, Thomas and Sarah set up home together in 1911 and get involved in various adventures. The pair had actually left Upstairs Downstairs midway through the series and despite it being six years later this series sort of picked up from they had left off in that show though.

In this opening episode, Sarah is working as a companion to Grace Laughton when Thomas Watkins, now owner of a garage, reappears in her life.

John Alderton as Thomas Watkins
Pauline Collins as Sarah

Guest Cast:
Jessica Benton as Grace Laughton / Sally Home as Lady Selina Wellingham / Ian Thompson as The Reverend Horkesly / Barbara Bolton as Edna / Gillian Hawser as Nanny / Maxwell Shaw as Monsieur Defarge / Ursula Hirst as Auntie Em / Susan Field as Mrs Monger

A second season of the show was planned and indeed some preliminary location work was filmed (since wiped) but a major ITV technicians strike led to the cancellation of the series. Speaking at the time of the broadcast of the show Alderton, who was the catalyst for getting this series made, said he hoped that Thomas and Sarah would emigrate to the US which could then bring in an American TV Network and give the show a long run.

One interesting fact is that in one episode of Upstairs Downstairs (A Family Gathering) there was mention of Thomas and Sarah having married but in this series they are not and when the series begins Thomas is still a chauffeur and Sarah was living quietly in Surrey.

Writers: Terence Brady and Charlotte Bingham
Director: Christopher Hodson

First broadcast 14th January 1979

Info from:

https://www.memorabletv.com/uk-tv/tho...

and

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0952360/...

For trivia, goofs and character background for this episode, try this link:

https://www.updown.org.uk/epguide/fac...