The peace has come to an exuberant London but things have been very quiet at Eaton Place. Widower James Bellamy and step-cousin, Georgina, live in the house with a full staff. James' life is quiet and modest and there's simply not enough for the servants to do. James hopes to persuade Richard and Virginia to come to live in the cavernous house but Virginia won't have it. Mindful of the inevitable memories in every room at 165 and anxious for a fresh start with her new husband and her two young children, Virginia presses on in her search for a new London home. James can't justify keeping the house or the staff, so he assembles the servants, thanks them for their many years of devoted service and gives them a month's notice. Richard is sad at this news, but while they're house-hunting nearby, Georgina suggests that Virginia's children, young Alice and William, spend the afternoon at Eaton Place. She assures their mother that she and James will entertain them. The house comes alive, with Mrs Bridges whipping up lovely confections and James showing his young step-brother, William, his old train set. After the doleful war years, laughter and good fun have returned throughout the house. When she comes to collect her children, Virginia knows she's "licked" and wryly capitulates – she and Richard will live there, along with James and Georgina, with a willing staff at their disposal. (John Iodice)

Writer: Alfred Shaughnessy
Designer: John Emery
Director: Bill Bain
Regular cast: Rose, Mrs Bridges, Hudson, Georgina Worsley, James Bellamy, Richard Bellamy, Virginia Bellamy, Edward, Lily, Ruby, Daisy, Frederick, Alice, William
Guest cast: none

An eloquent letter James has written to The Times on the plight of unemployed men who fought valiantly in the war draws the attention of the Conservative Party. Sir Geoffrey Dillon tells Richard and Virginia that there's interest for James to run for MP in an upcoming by-election. It's a rough, working-class district and Richard expresses his misgivings: one published letter to The Times does not make James a politician. James, however, picks up the gauntlet and visits the constituency where he makes a speech to the few who are willing to listen to his ideas. In the meantime, Edward and Daisy, who have left service, are struggling to survive. Daisy has miscarried and though proud, they regret leaving their positions and, during a visit to 165, Hudson and Edward engage in harsh words and the couple leave abruptly. His campaign floundering, Virginia urges James to go to his father, a seasoned politician, for advice. Richard and Virginia attend a rally where James speaks and is jeered at bitterly by a hostile crowd. When the results are announced, it's no surprise that James has lost to the opposite candidate in large numbers but he has nevertheless managed to reduce the Labour majority by a respectable amount. When Edward and Daisy come to apologise to Hudson, Virginia offers them employment – Edward will be their chauffeur and valet, and Daisy the head houseparlourmaid. (John Iodice)

Writer: Jeremy Paul
Designer: Roger Hall
Director: Christopher Hodson
Regular cast: Hudson, Mrs Bridges, Richard Bellamy, Sir Geoffrey Dillon, Virginia Bellamy, James Bellamy, Edward, Lily, Frederick, Ruby, Daisy
Guest cast: Michael Logan (Arthur Knowles), Ann Mitchell (Militant Woman), Jay Neill (First heckler), Jack Le White (Second heckler), Derek Martin (Third heckler), Una Brandon-Jones (Mother), Brian Nolan (Fourth heckler) [Uncredited: Ken Halliwell, Dennis Plenty, Kevin Moran, Walter Henry, Leslie Bates, Sonny Willis, Dennis Redwood, David J Grahame, Aubrey D Walker, Walter Goodman, Michael Moore, Ian Elliot, Ruby Buchanan, Ricky Lancing, Alex Hood, Ronald Nunnery, Reg Cranfield, Laurence Archer, Ursula Granville, Margaret Braden, Brychan Powell, Tina Winter, Jean Hilton, Barbara Clift, Ernest Jennings, Nicholas Kane, Jill Goldston, Vi Kane, Sylvia De La Mare, Betty Richardson, Eileen Brady, Charlie Stewart, Steve Ismay, Keith Goodman (Walk-Ons/Extras in studio)]

In a frenzy to forget her traumatic war experience, Georgina goes from party to party, all over London, arriving home at all hours. With the Richard and Virginia abroad, Georgina asks James' permission to hold a fancy-dress party at Eaton Place. James consents, and the staff prepare for an evening of entertaining that would have been unthinkable before the war. Hudson is speechless at scantily clad guests wandering around the house. During a quiet moment, one of the guests, Robin Eliott, professes his great love for Georgina and his desire to marry her. She tells him that she's not ready to commit – she's lost four years of her youth to the war and wants to enjoy herself and indulge her every whim. Robin threatens to kill himself, but she dismisses his melodramatic talk. Miss Treadwell, newly engaged governess for the Hamilton children, arrives amid the revelry. She is introduced to the children and retires to her room for the night. Within minutes, she hears a gunshot and finds young Robin outside her room, dead, his revolver at his side. James is summoned and Georgina gets a glimpse of her lifeless admirer. She goes to her room quite calmly. The staff tread very lightly the next morning, trying their best not to disturb her. However, she's in good spirits and tells Daisy and Rose that she has a full day planned and will be home that evening to change for another round of soirées. (John Iodice)

Writer: Rosemary Anne Sisson
Designer: John Clements
Director: Derek Bennett
Regular cast: Georgina, Mrs Bridges, Hudson, Rose, James Bellamy, Diana Newbury, Edward, Lily, Daisy, Frederick, Ruby, Miss Treadwell, Bunny Newbury, Lady Dolly Hale, Alice, William
Guest cast: Osmund Bullock (Robin Eliott), Trevor Ray (The Hon Tommy Spenton), Marsha Fitzalan (Party Guest: Bluebird), Julia Schofield (Party Guest: Charlie Chaplin), Victor Langley (Party Guest: Bather), Nicholas Hunter (Party Guest: Red Indian)

James tells Richard that he's bought a small aeroplane. Virginia is thrilled at James' purchase – it excites her because, as she puts it: "It's something to do with the future and not the past." Richard is stung at her remark because he's to give a speech in the House of Lords and expects Virginia to be in the gallery. However, if she prefers to go flying with her stepson and forego her duty as his wife, she can do as she pleases... They depart and Richard calls upon the steadfast Lady Prudence in lieu of his wife. When evening comes and Virginia and James have not returned to Eaton Place, Richard begins to worry. He calls the authorities who spotted an aircraft earlier that was lost in a fog. Prudence refuses to leave Richard, who is distraught, as is the entire household. Weary and irrational, Richard speculates that his son and wife may have been swept away across the Channel, engaged in some tryst, as salacious newspapers have already begun to imply. However, it's quite possible they've been killed and Richard feels great shame. His remorse turns to fury when word comes that they are safe and headed back to London. At first, Richard scolds them vigorously. Virginia is chastened and mortified at the great fuss and the distress she has caused her husband. Richard reassures his wife that despite her defiance and attempt at independence, he's grateful for their safe return and expresses his great love for her. (John Iodice)

Writer: Alfred Shaughnessy
Designer: John Emery
Director: Bill Bain
Regular cast: Richard Bellamy, James Bellamy, Virginia Bellamy, Rose, Hudson, Lady Prudence Fairfax, Frederick, Lily, Ruby
Guest cast: none

Master William Hamilton is off to boarding school and his stoic mother makes certain that he is well prepared. Richard suggests their going abroad to divert Virginia. The very prim governess, Miss Treadwell, asks Virginia to make it clear to the staff that they adhere to her in the absence of the master and mistress. Before William leaves, the staff give the children an adorable dog, Thimble. The children are delighted but Miss Treadwell is annoyed: the pet will be a nuisance and will divert Miss Alice from her studies. Miss Treadwell is a relentless taskmaster and her behaviour toward the staff is imperious. They resent her haughty ways and are horrified when Miss Treadwell demands that the dog be "humanely put to sleep". Downstairs, Rose hides the pup. When their duplicity is revealed, an outraged Miss Treadwell complains to a just-returned Richard and Virginia about the servants, their insolence and insubordination. Virginia suggests Miss Treadwell may be happier elsewhere, a taxi is summoned, and the dour woman is whisked away. (John Iodice)

Writer: John Hawkesworth
Designer: Roger Hall
Director: Christopher Hodson
Regular cast: Mrs Bridges, Hudson, Rose, Virginia Bellamy, Richard Bellamy, Miss Treadwell, Ruby, Daisy, Frederick, Alice Hamilton, William Hamilton
Guest cast: Peter Forest (Bert), Tracey Childs (Jennifer Chivers) [Uncredited: Danvers (Thimble the dog)]

While out alone one evening at a nightclub, James meets his old girlfriend, Diana, Lady Newbury. She asks how he's faring and he asks about her husband – his old friend, Bunny, Lord Newbury. He's in Wales, she tells James, and life at Sommerby Park is very dreary for her. She remarks that, with Hazel gone, she wonders why he refuses her many invitations to visit them at their grand estate. As it happens, James is staying at a cottage in the country for the weekend and the pair conspire to meet there. James takes Edward, who meets Violet, Diana's new maid. Between the cosy setting and the rainy weather, James beds Diana after all these years. Word gets back to Lord Newbury and to Richard. Richard is furious at what his son has done and Bunny is disappointed in both James and his wife. When they meet at Eaton Place, Bunny, still a gentleman and rather old-fashioned tells James that he will grant Diana a divorce on the understanding that James and Diana will marry. James tells Diana that he could never make her happy – the war has forever changed him and he's not the man she knew and loved. The Newburys are reconciled, scandal is averted and James thinks upon what might have been. (John Iodice)

Writer: John Hawkesworth^*
Designer: John Emery
Director: Derek Bennett
Regular cast: Hudson, Mrs Bridges, James Bellamy, Diana Newbury, Richard Bellamy, Edward, Lily, Daisy, Bunny Newbury
Guest cast: Georgina Hale (Violet Marshall), Tom Chatto (The Waiter), Mike McKenzie (The Pianist), John Caesar (The Policeman)

^* The original unused script for this story had been called The Price Of Rubies by Elizabeth Jane Howard but was completely rewritten by Hawkesworth.

Georgina has returned from America and is very keen to visit the great British Empire Exhibition of 1924. She reports back to Virginia the most extraordinary news – she saw Hudson there with parlourmaid Lily. Virginia thinks nothing of it but downstairs the gossip is that Hudson has been seeing quite a bit of Lily. In fact, he's fallen deeply in love with her and, in the situation, Hudson is bound to inform Richard and Virginia of his intention to marry her – and gives notice. Richard can't imagine the household without Hudson, but there's nothing to be done. However, Lily tells Hudson that, though very fond of him, marriage is out of the question. When she marries, she wants a younger, more suitable man. Lily departs, but not without leaving a note for a broken Hudson. Another crisis is dodged and all expect Hudson can and will rally and carry on, as always. (John Iodice)

Writer: Alfred Shaughnessy
Designer: John Clements
Director: Bill Bain
Regular cast: Hudson, Rose, Mrs Bridges, Georgina, Richard Bellamy, Virginia Bellamy, Lily, Edward, Ruby, Frederick, Daisy
Guest cast: none

Though a great honour, Richard Bellamy feels he was rather "kicked upstairs" and out of the way when he was elevated to the peerage. Anxious to return to an influential post in the government, Richard aspires to become Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. Toward this end, he enlists Virginia to invite the very wealthy and politically connected bachelor, Sir Guy Paynter, to dine at Eaton Place. Virginia takes a dislike to him but Richard asks that she suffer him and to play the political wife. Downstairs, Ruby has invited her male suitor, a gentlemen with whom she's corresponded via a personal advert, to Sunday tea in the servants' hall – he turns out to be respectable and well spoken. Upstairs, Virginia has warmed to Guy, and when she spends too much time acting as his hostess, the newspapers link the two romantically and Richard, despite his quest, asks that Virginia stop seeing him – more for the sake of their marriage than his career. Downstairs, Ruby's suitor is turned away by her because he "isn't a bit like Rudolph Valentino". (John Iodice)

Writer: Rosemary Anne Sisson
Designer: John Emery
Director: Christopher Hodson
Regular cast: Hudson, Virginia Bellamy, Mrs Bridges, Richard Bellamy, Rose, Lady Prudence Fairfax, James Bellamy, Edward, Frederick, Ruby, Daisy
Guest cast: Robert Hardy (Sir Guy Paynter), Polly Adams (Mrs Polly Merivale), John Normington (Herbert Turner), Leonard Kavanagh (Parsons) [Uncredited: Stephen Ismay (Footman)]

There's been talk of it for months, but, when coal-miners' wages are lowered, a general strike is called throughout Britain. Richard is dismayed at this but James, Edward, Frederick and Hudson do their part to fill in as "scab" workers to keep everyday life as ordinary as possible despite the disruption. Ruby's uncle and a friend visit London from Yorkshire and discuss the issues with Hudson, who thinks the entire affair shameful. His views are met with cool disdain by Ruby's uncle, who thinks Hudson and the entire staff are insulated and can't possibly understand their plight or what this strike really means for the working class and the Labour movement. After nine days, the strike is settled with a compromise to be hammered out, and James has not felt this energized or alive since his days on the French battlefield a decade before. (John Iodice)

Writer: Jeremy Paul
Designer: Rodney Cammish
Director: Simon Langton
Regular cast: James Bellamy, Hudson, Rose, Richard Bellamy, Lady Prudence Fairfax, Georgina Worsley, Edward, Frederick, Daisy, Ruby
Guest cast: Martin Wimbush (Andrew Bouverie), Tommy Wright (the Picket Leader), John Breslin (Len Finch), Roy Pattison (Arnold Thompson)

His age and duties creeping up on him, Hudson is dismissive of his fatigue and fleeting chest pains. Upstairs, with Virginia in Scotland, Georgina takes on the role of hostess when an important French diplomat is slated to dine at Eaton Place. Feeling weak and breathless, Hudson keels over in his pantry and Dr Foley is summoned at once. He confirms that Hudson has suffered a mild heart attack. He decrees bed rest and Hudson is not to attend to any of his duties. Sharp words are exchanged between Frederick, Daisy and Edward as to who will serve in Hudson's stead. The Bellamys are divided on the issue as well – James advocates for his ex-soldier servant, Frederick, but Richard and Georgina side with Edward, who does, in fact, end up acting as butler on the night of the dinner party. Hudson is to be sent to Southwold for an extended period to recover and a distraught Mrs Bridges can't bear to see him leave nor can she stand the sight of anyone but Hudson at the head of the table in the servants' hall. (John Iodice)

Writer: Jeremy Paul
Designer: John Clements
Director: James Ormerod
Regular cast: Hudson, Richard Bellamy, James Bellamy, Georgina, Rose, Mrs Bridges, Edward, Frederick, Ruby, Daisy
Guest cast: Anthony Woodruff (Dr Foley), Andre Charisse (M Fleuriau), Barbara Bolton (Madame Fleuriau), Natalie Caron (Simone Fleuriau) [Uncredited: Philip Webb (Lord Swanbourne), Lorna Kilner (Lady Swanbourne), Roy Knight, David Nicoll (Ambulance Men)]

James and Lady Prudence are headed for Ascot. All are in good spirits downstairs, save for Frederick. He's not at all happy and feels that he's ready to move on to something more challenging. Georgina, who is keen to get into the moving-picture business, welcomes her friend, Dolly, and a celebrated producer to Eaton Place. Georgina is offered a minor part in this gentleman's next feature. Meanwhile, Frederick's brooding good looks are not lost on Dolly and she manages to land him a minor part in the film as well. James is against Georgina's foray into filmdom and tells her so, with no equivocation – she ignores his grievance. When James and Lady Prudence visit the set and find out that the film involves a risqué scene between Georgina and Frederick, James creates a fuss. Back at Eaton Place, James confesses to Lady Prudence that he's in love with his step-cousin. As for Frederick, Lady Dolly Hale has taken an interest in him that has nothing to do with his film career. She lavishes him with expensive gifts and clothes. After eight years in service, he resigns his post convinced that life has much more to offer him than a servants' hall in stylish Belgravia. (John Iodice)

Writer: Alfred Shaughnessy
Designer: John Emery
Director: Christopher Hodson
Regular cast: James Bellamy, Lady Prudence Fairfax, Mrs Bridges, Rose, Georgina Worsley, Edward, Frederick, Daisy, Lady Dolly Hale
Guest cast: Seymour Green (Paul Marvin), Rowland Davies (Assistant Director)

Richard, James and Georgina travel to Scotland to stay at the Highlands home of a fellow peer. James is keen to go hiking and fishing, and, with Georgina nearby, this is the perfect setting for him to express his deep feelings for her. She is bored and moody because of the bad weather but James bides his time. The servants are appalled at the condition of the house – it's dirty and there's no electricity or food or hot water. Mr McKay, the gillie and man engaged to look after such matters, explains he was given short notice, otherwise the house would have been prepared for guests. Hudson becomes suspicious and discovers how McKay has been spending his time – he's been emptying the river on his master's land of almost all of the salmon it contains and selling the fish privately for profit. McKay confesses when Hudson confronts him but Hudson decides not to go to the authorities provided McKay can somehow engineer James not to be disappointed when he goes fishing for salmon himself. Meanwhile, Georgina tells James that she is no longer in love with him and that nothing will ever come of their relationship. He leaves the very next morning, and when the family return to Eaton Place, a baffled Richard and Georgina receive a note from him – James has booked passage to go to New York to visit his sister, Elizabeth. (John Iodice)

Writer: Rosemary Anne Sisson
Designer: John Emery
Director: Bill Bain
Regular cast: Richard Bellamy, James Bellamy, Georgina Worsley, Hudson, Mrs Bridges, Edward, Daisy, Ruby
Guest cast: Jack Watson (Mckay), Georgine Anderson (Mrs Mckay) [Uncredited: Kenneth Ward (Double for Gordon Jackson), Mr MacBeath (Shepherd), Mrs Finlayson, Mrs McCrea, Mrs Brindsley (Doubles), Ken Griffin, Mr Macrea, Mr Macrea (Poachers), Donald Proud, Ric Logan (Extras)]

A tipsy Georgina and her wayward cohort try to amass various items on a scavenger hunt, arriving at Eaton Place in the wee hours and disrupting the servants. Tagging along is Lord Robert Stockbridge, sober and responsible son of the Duke and Duchess of Buckminster. The next step in the game is to drive to the country, and Georgina insists they use Viscount Bellamy's car in his absence. Edward knows Richard would not want the car used, especially if Edward is not driving, but Georgina ignores him and they troop off into pastoral Sussex. All at once, a man on a bicycle crosses the road and Georgina runs him down. The man dies a short time later and now an inquest must be held. Richard is furious at Edward – unfairly – for exercising poor judgment. Sir Geoffrey Dillon is summoned for yet another Bellamy crisis. It's entirely possible that Georgina could be tried for manslaughter. However, Lord Stockbridge, whose car was following Georgina's, testifies on Georgina's behalf. The verdict is accidental death but Georgina is reprimanded for her reckless behaviour. She is very grateful to Robert, whom she had berated the night before for being stuffy and an insufferable bore. Georgina realises that she will have to mend her ways – her days as a madcap flapper are at an end. (John Iodice)

Writer: Rosemary Anne Sisson
Designer: Rodney Cammish
Director: Bill Bain
Regular cast: Georgina Worsley, Hudson, Richard Bellamy, Virginia Bellamy, Mrs Bridges, Sir Geoffrey Dillon, Edward, Lady Dolly Hale, Lord Robert Stockbridge, Daisy, Ruby
Guest cast: Nigel Havers (Peter Dinmont), Patsy Blower (Ethel), Terence Bayler (Darrow Morton), Barry Stanton (PC Burridge), Bernard Barnsley (Mr Smith), Robert Hartley (Coroner), Daphne Lawson (Mrs Smith), Keneth Thornett (Foreman of Jury) [Uncredited: Sue Crossland (Driving double for Lesley-Anne Down), Charles Adey Grey, Jean Hilton, Gilly Flower, Reg Lloyd, Philip Webb, Gareth Watkins, Garry Dean, John Tucker, Alan Thomas, Franklin Arbisman, Alf Mangan, Morris Quick, Rikki Lancing (Extras in studio)]

Robert, the Marquis of Stockbridge, has fallen in love with Georgina and proposes to her. She accepts him but neither of them anticipate the hurdles they must face. Georgina's notoriety is not lost on Robert's parents, the Duke and Duchess of Buckminster. The Duchess invites Georgina to tea to discuss the young pair's plans. The conversation is pleasant but the Duchess is very firm on what's been planned. In the Victorian custom, Robert will travel around the world for a year and they will not see each other. If, upon his return, he still wants to marry her, he will have his parents' consent. Robert rails against his mother but Georgina pragmatically complies. Downstairs, Mrs Bridges and Ruby have bitter words and Ruby leaves 165 to work for a middle-class woman in suburban London. An agency sends a replacement – a cheeky, disrespectful and lazy girl called Mabel. Mrs Bridges can't manage her, but Ruby's lot has not improved – her new mistress is a nasty taskmaster and Ruby is not so much her servant as her slave. Mrs Bridges gets wind of her whereabouts and the two are reconciled – with a greater appreciation of the other – warts and all. (John Iodice)

Writer: John Hawkesworth
Designer: Roger Hall
Director: Cyril Coke
Regular cast: Mrs Bridges, Georgina Worsley, Richard Bellamy, Duchess of Buckminster, Edward, Daisy, Ruby, Marquis of Stockbridge
Guest cast: Elaine Donnelly (Mabel), Joan Sanderson (Mrs Waddilove), Deddie Davies (Mrs Tibbitt) [Uncredited: Frank Duncan (Wireless announcer)]

James returns to Eaton Place after his two-year trip to America. He's very animated and also very wealthy. At dinner he tells his father, Virginia and Georgina about the investments he's made on Wall Street that have proved to be very wise and lucrative. All of this talk of money reaches the servants' hall and Rose approaches James with some enquiries. She'd like to take some of the money her late fiancé, Gregory, left her and invest it. James assures her that she's making a very sound decision and persuades her to invest the entire amount. However, the Wall Street crash in America reduces both James' and Rose's investments to a pittance. James has done the unthinkable – meddle in a servant's monetary affairs, and 165 reverberates to the bitterest argument Richard and James have ever had in the whole of their uneasy relationship. Devastated by the feelings that have been brought to a head by the argument, James announces he is going away for a few days... (John Iodice)

Writer: Jeremy Paul
Designer: John Emery
Director: Simon Langton
Regular cast: James Bellamy, Hudson, Virginia Bellamy, Richard Bellamy, Georgina Worsley, Mrs Bridges, Rose, Edward, Daisy
Guest cast: Pippa Page (Mary), Lindsay Campbell (Inspector Rodwell)

With the family assembled in the morning room, Sir Geoffrey Dillon has sorted out James' affairs and the news is quite bleak. He was heavily in debt and Eaton Place will have to be sold. Though Georgina was his beneficiary, there is nothing to inherit. She can't afford a proper wedding and she's not guaranteed that there'll even be a wedding – she hasn't heard from her intended, Robert, in weeks. However, he arrives at Eaton Place, with his parent's blessing, and his love for her unconditional. Georgina, forlorn, gaunt and emotionally spent, tells him he'd be happier without her as his wife. Robert is assured by Virginia that all will work out right and it does – Georgina and Robert are wed. On the closure of the house, Edward and Daisy will be in the newlyweds service; Mrs Bridges, Hudson and Ruby will operate a seaside resort; and Rose will live in Dorset with Virginia and Viscount Bellamy, who will retire from politics. Tearful goodbyes are exchanged and Rose is left all alone in the house to check to see that all has been left in order. She starts in the attic and works her way down and recalls the bittersweet times – weddings, royal visits, telegrams, and the voices she has known and loved in this house. She emerges from 165 Eaton Place, looks back stolidly with a tear running down her cheek. As she has told Hudson, and now reflects herself, they all did have a good run – even as furniture, goods and chattel are loaded on to a truck for auction. (John Iodice)

Writer: John Hawkesworth
Designer: Roger Hall
Director: Bill Bain
Regular cast: Georgina Worsley, Sir Geoffrey Dillon, Virginia Bellamy, Richard Bellamy, Hudson, Rose, Mrs Bridges, Lady Prudence Fairfax, Duchess of Buckminster, Edward, Daisy, Ruby, Marquis of Stockbridge, Alice Hamilton
Guest cast: [Uncredited: Billy Gray, David Melbourne, Paul Barton, J McGrath (Extras – Studio), TC Roberts (Milk Float Driver), Graham Hull (Driver), Albert Blower (Assistant), Mr R Beddell (Rolls Driver), Kenny Whymark, Alex Hood, Doris Littlewood, Clive Barrie, Laon Maybank, Daryl Fahey, Daphne Selfe, Dorothy Pearce (Extras – OBs)]