Manor House

The series begins downstairs at Manderston, a 109-room Edwardian mansion in Scotland, where Hugh Edgar, architect cum butler, and Jean Davies, grandmother cum housekeeper, organize the junior staff.

The Olliff-Coopers are settling into a lifestyle of wealth and privilege, making plans for their first dinner party. Downstairs, the staff is grumbling, particularly Kelly Squires, the new scullery maid.

The staff crisis comes to a head. The servants complain about the family and demand better working conditions. The chef breaches etiquette. After weeks of non-stop work, the staff gets a much-needed break, but this news outrages Sir John.

Sir John hosts a weekend shooting party. Miss Anson takes a break from the Edwardian experience. The dutiful butler, Mr. Edgar, is devastated at having let his master down and a rift occurs between them.

An event is organized to celebrate the British Empire's colonial success. But for the tutor, Mr. Raj-Singh, Britain's Imperial past is a sore point. The servants read newspaper accounts of the sinking of the Titanic.

The latter-day Edwardians prepare to leave the past behind them. The family and servants reflect on their personal experiences and discuss a bygone era they have come to know so well.