![Up The Women. Image shows from L to R: Helen (Rebecca Front), Margaret (Jessica Hynes) Up The Women. Image shows from L to R: Helen (Rebecca Front), Margaret (Jessica Hynes)](https://cdn.comedy.co.uk/images/library/comedies/300x200/u/up_the_women.jpg)
Up The Women
- TV sitcom
- BBC Two / BBC Four
- 2013 - 2015
- 9 episodes (2 series)
Sitcom set amidst the suffrage movement in early 20th Century Britain. Stars Jessica Hynes, Rebecca Front, Vicki Pepperdine, Judy Parfitt, Georgia Groome and more.
Episode menu
Series 1, Episode 1
Further details
![Up The Women. Margaret (Jessica Hynes). Copyright: BBC / Baby Cow Productions Up The Women. Margaret (Jessica Hynes). Copyright: BBC / Baby Cow Productions](https://cdn.comedy.co.uk/images/library/comedies/180x200_eps/u/up_the_women_episode_0101.jpg)
It's Banbury Church Hall, 1910 and Margaret, Helen, Myrtle, Gwen, Eva, Emily - otherwise known as the 'Banbury Intricate Craft Circle' - arrive for their regular meeting.
Margaret has just returned from a trip to London, where she discovered the Women's Suffrage Movement. Inspired by what she has seen, she wants the ladies of Banbury Intricate Craft Circle to support the cause and suggests they begin a suffrage league of their own. Margaret's enthusiasm is contagious and it's not long before Banbury has its own band of hilariously ineffectual suffragettes, and the group is rebranded 'Banbury Intricate Craft Circle Politely Request Women's Suffrage'.
The change is not met without opposition, which comes from Helen who, exasperated by caretaker Frank's efforts to bring electricity to the church hall, has little interest in women's rights and even less interest in any good ideas she isn't in charge of. In a rebellious coup, she establishes an anti-suffrage league, poaches Margaret's recruits by bribing them with cake, and takes up headquarters in the kitchen.
Will Margaret convince the women to fight for their rights or will Helen persuade them that votes for women, and electricity, are utterly unnecessary?
Broadcast details
- Date
- Thursday 30th May 2013
- Time
- 8:30pm
- Channel
- BBC Four
- Length
- 30 minutes
Cast & crew
Jessica Hynes | Margaret |
Rebecca Front | Helen |
Vicki Pepperdine | Gwen |
Judy Parfitt | Myrtle |
Georgia Groome | Emily |
Emma Pierson | Eva |
Ryan Sampson | Thomas |
Adrian Scarborough | Frank |
Jessica Hynes | Writer |
Barunka O'Shaughnessy | Writer (Additional Material) |
Dan Swimer | Writer (Additional Material) |
Adam Kay | Writer (Additional Material) |
Fraser Steele | Writer (Additional Material) |
Christine Gernon | Director |
Emma Strain | Producer |
Mark Freeland | Executive Producer |
Henry Normal | Executive Producer |
Lindsay Hughes | Executive Producer |
Liana Del Giudice | Editor |
Jim Holloway | Production Designer |
Videos
Up The Women - Trailer
The trailer for Up The Women, the BBC Four sitcom created by Jessica Hynes.
Featuring: Jessica Hynes (Margaret), Rebecca Front (Helen), Vicki Pepperdine (Gwen), Judy Parfitt (Myrtle), Georgia Groome (Emily), Emma Pierson (Eva), Ryan Sampson (Thomas) & Adrian Scarborough (Frank).
The Lightbulb
Margaret and Frank discuss the science behind electricity.
Featuring: Jessica Hynes (Margaret) & Adrian Scarborough (Frank).
Has Margaret become a suffragette?
Margaret believes women should have equal rights in society.
Featuring: Rebecca Front (Helen), Georgia Groome (Emily), Jessica Hynes (Margaret), Judy Parfitt (Myrtle), Vicki Pepperdine (Gwen) & Emma Pierson (Eva).