The Edwardian Country House is a British historical reenactment reality television miniseries produced by Channel 4. First aired weekly in the UK beginning in April 2002, it was later broadcast in the United States on PBS stations as Manor House in 2003, 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.
Synopsis In the series the Olliff-Cooper family are given the identities of turn-of-the-century aristocrats 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.
Development According to Dru Sefton writing for the Current, for the American release, PBS renamed Edwardian Country House "so that Americans wouldn’t wonder who Edward was". The show was also re-edited to focus on the servants the American viewers were expected to find more interesting, like the French chief, and some historical commentary was replaced with more general remarks about British history and society.
Cast The narrator is Derek Jacobi.
Upstairs 21st-century lifeEdwardian-period lifeRoleJohn Olliff-CooperSir JohnMaster of the HouseholdDr. Anna Olliff-CooperLady Olliff-CooperMistress of the HouseholdJonathan (Jonty) Olliff-CooperMister JonathanEldest son of Sir John and Lady Olliff-CooperGuy Olliff-CooperMaster GuyYoungest son of Sir John and Lady Olliff-CooperProf. Avril AnsonMiss AnsonLady Olliff-Cooper's sisterReji RajMr Raj-Singh Tutor to Master Guy
Downstairs
Senior Staff 21st-century lifeEdwardian-period lifeRoleHugh Edgar Mr EdgarButler (also valeting Sir John)Jean DaviesMrs DaviesHousekeeperDenis DubiardMonsieur DubiardChef de cuisineEva MorrisonMiss MorrisonLady's maid to Lady Olliff-Cooper
Junior staff
21st-century lifeEdwardian-period lifeRoleCharlie ClayCharlieFirst footman (also valeting Mr. Jonathan)Rob DalyRobSecond footman and (also valeting Master Guy)Tristan AldrichTristan GroomKen SkeltonKennyHallboyRebecca SmithBeckyFirst housemaidJessica RawlinsonJessSecond housemaidErika Ravitz ErikaThird housemaidAntonia DawsonAntoniaKitchen maidKelly SquiresKellyScullery maidLucy GarsideLucyScullery maidEllen BeardEllenScullery maid
Episodes
Home media This VHS and DVD were released 27 May 2003 from PBS Home Video.
Reception Dru Sefton writing for the Current, the show ranked among the top 10 for its year on Channel 4.
References
External links
The Edwardian Country House at Acorn TV (Streaming available)