To The Manor Born. Image shows from L to R: Audrey fforbes-Hamilton (Penelope Keith), Richard DeVere (Peter Bowles). Copyright: BBC
To The Manor Born

To The Manor Born

  • TV sitcom
  • BBC One
  • 1979 - 2007
  • 22 episodes (3 series)

Riches-to-rags-to-riches romantic tale of Audrey fforbes-Hamilton, forced to sell her beloved stately home to pay off her late husband's debts. Stars Penelope Keith, Peter Bowles, Angela Thorne, Gerald Sim, John Rudling and more.

To The Manor Born. Image shows from L to R: Richard DeVere (Peter Bowles), Audrey fforbes-Hamilton (Penelope Keith). Copyright: BBC

Key details

Genre
Sitcom
Broadcast
1979 - 2007
Channel
BBC One
Episodes
22 (3 series)
Stars
Penelope Keith, Peter Bowles, Angela Thorne, Gerald Sim, John Rudling, Daphne Heard and Michael Bilton
Writers
Peter Spence and Christopher Bond
Director
Gareth Gwenlan
Producer
Gareth Gwenlan
Company

Once wealthy Audrey fforbes-Hamilton is forced to sell her stately home to supermarket owner Richard DeVere. A millionaire of Czechoslovakian birth, DeVere has little idea of what is involved in living on, let alone running, a country estate. Audrey takes it upon herself to teach him 'nobility' whilst coming to terms with her own reduced status as his tenant.

As time passes, Richard is slowly trained up, but Audrey grows no more fond of her new-found position. When romance begins to blossom between the pair, it could be her best - and only - chance of getting back behind the front doors of Grantleigh.

Stream and download

Additional details

Production
Studio
Camera set-up
Multi-camera
Picture
Colour

Website links

Broadcast details

First broadcast
Sunday 30th September 1979 at 8:45pm on BBC One
Next repeats
  1. Series 3, Episode 1: Saturday at 11:15pm on BBC4
  2. Series 3, Episode 2: Saturday at 11:45pm on BBC4
  3. Series 3, Episode 3: Tuesday at 7:50pm on BBC4
  4. Series 3, Episode 3: Sunday 7th April at 12:35am on BBC4
  5. Series 3, Episode 4: Tuesday 9th April at 8pm on BBC4
Most recent repeats

Recording details

  • Cricket St. Thomas - Location filming
  • BBC Television Centre - Studios

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