Movies

Jean Marsh, British actress and co-creator of ‘Upstairs, Downstairs,’ dies at 90

BBG News

90-year-old Jean Marsh, the renowned British actress known for co-creating the long-running television drama “Upstairs, Downstairs,” passed away on Sunday.

The Sunday Times of London said Marsh died at her London home due to complications from dementia.

Marsh, collaborating with actress Eileen Atkins, introduced one of television’s most cherished shows – “Upstairs, Downstairs,” which unfolded in a London mansion during the Edwardian period. The show portrayed the lives of the hardworking staff at 165 Eaton Place and the affluent Bellamy family residing upstairs.

Marsh played Rose Buck, the head parlormaid in the Bellamy home.

1971 saw the premiere of this drama on London Weekend Television, eventually becoming a huge success during prime time on PBS in America in 1974. This show, which explored social class divisions in British society, continued for five seasons and was later reprised by the BBC in 2011, with Marsh reprising her original role.

In 2011, Marsh shared with NPR that the concept originated from her and Atkins during their leisurely viewing of a historical television series.

She remarked, “For some time, we’ve been observing a spectacle filled with affluent individuals, lavish cuisine, and stylish attire. I guess you could say we harbored feelings of resentment. And then we questioned, ‘Who was behind all this? Who prepared the food? Who cleaned up afterward?’ This sparked a thought in us: ‘Perhaps it’s time to pen a story about those overlooked individuals – the servants, the staff who make it all possible.’

Throughout its broadcast, the show “Upstairs, Downstairs” garnered seven Emmy Awards during primetime, among them was the 1975 award for Best Lead Actress in a Drama Series, which went to Marsh.

Born on July 1, 1934, in the northwest part of London called Stoke Newington, I am Jean Marsh – an admirer of stories that unfold from humble beginnings. Much like my own family, my father served as a printer’s assistant, and my mother devoted her days to household service. These experiences provided me with the unique perspectives necessary to bring “Upstairs, Downstairs” to life. (Similarly, Atkins drew inspiration from his background working in households.)

Entertainment & Arts

In 1973, extensive broadcasts about the Watergate hearings attracted large viewers and donations. These events also sparked the establishment of “PBS NewsHour.

Marsh kicked off her acting journey as a youngster, showcasing her dancing skills in the movie “The Tales of Hoffmann,” directed by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger. In 1959, she marked her first Broadway appearance, sharing the stage with John Gielgud in “Much Ado About Nothing.” During the same year, she acted alongside Laurence Olivier in David Susskind’s NBC television adaptation of “The Moon and Sixpence.

During the 1960s, Marsh divided her time between the United States and London. She starred in the movie “Cleopatra,” as well as television series like “I Spy,” “The Twilight Zone,” “Doctor Who,” and “The Informer.

For the following five decades after “Upstairs, Downstairs” achieved success, Marsh remained consistently active in both the United States and the United Kingdom.

Among her acting credits are roles in Alfred Hitchcock’s 1972 movie “Frenzy,” the espionage thriller “The Eagle Has Landed,” and Ron Howard’s 1988 box office success “Willow.” In this last film, she portrayed Queen Bavmorda.

Additionally, Marsh made appearances in multiple American television shows such as “Murder, She Wrote” and “The Love Boat,” and was a recurring character on the ABC sitcom “9 to 5.

1996 saw her penning the hit romance novel “Guardians of Fiennd,” a story that explored societal transformation within a small, agricultural landscape.

She played Mrs. Ferrars in a well-received 2008 TV mini-series version of “Sense and Sensibility.”

In 1955, at the tender age of 20, Marsh tied the knot with the elderly actor Jon Pertwee, who was 15 years her elder. However, their union didn’t last long as they parted ways five years down the line.

Afterward, she resided with performers Kenneth Haigh and Albert Finney, subsequently embarking on a decade-long romance with filmmaker Michael Lindsay-Hogg.

Read More

2025-04-14 04:31

Previous post Katy Perry’s Cosmic Destiny: Signs Point to All-Female Space Mission
Next post Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni Spark Romance Rumors at Knicks Game!