Up The Women. Image shows from L to R: Helen (Rebecca Front), Margaret (Jessica Hynes)
Up The Women

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 3

When iconic suffrage movement leader Emmeline Pankhurst stops in Banbury to visit the group, not all turns out as expected. Except in the eyes of Helen, who it seems is no stranger to Ms Pankhurst...

Preview clips

Further details

Up The Women. Emmeline Pankhurst (Sandi Toksvig). Copyright: BBC / Baby Cow Productions

Margaret has written to the great Emmeline Pankhurst to tell her of the exploits of Banbury Intricate Craft Circle Politely Requests Women's Suffrage: picketing the Post Office. The group are surprised when a response from Mrs Pankhurst herself arrives, announcing that she will be taking in Banbury on her tour of Oxfordshire and wishes to attend one of the group's meetings.

The ladies soon realise that Mrs Pankhurst's arrival is more imminent than previously thought and elaborate preparations for their 'Great Women Through the Ages' pageant are greatly condensed - and Gwen whips up her 10-minute trifle in just five.

However, when she arrives, the leader of the Suffragette movement doesn't quite match up to the great lady the women had envisioned. All of them except Helen that is, who, it emerges, has a history with Mrs Pankhurst, and her arrival brings back less than favourable memories.

Broadcast details

Date
Thursday 13th June 2013
Time
8:30pm
Channel
BBC Four
Length
30 minutes

Repeats

Show past repeats

Date Time Channel
Friday 14th June 2013 1:50am BBC4
Wednesday 19th June 2013 11:00pm BBC4
Thursday 20th June 2013 2:30am BBC4
Thursday 21st June 2018 7:30pm BBC4

Cast & crew

Cast
Jessica Hynes Margaret
Rebecca Front Helen
Vicki Pepperdine Gwen
Judy Parfitt Myrtle
Georgia Groome Emily
Emma Pierson Eva
Ryan Sampson Thomas
Adrian Scarborough Frank
Guest cast
Sandi Toksvig Emmeline Pankhurst
Sam Battersea Parthenope
Clare Warde Ezmeralda
Writing team
Jessica Hynes Writer
Barunka O'Shaughnessy Writer (Additional Material)
Dan Swimer Writer (Additional Material)
Adam Kay Writer (Additional Material)
Production team
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
Nigel Lilley Composer

Videos

The letter

Margaret has a letter from Emmeline Pankhurst.

Featuring: Jessica Hynes (Margaret), Judy Parfitt (Myrtle) & Vicki Pepperdine (Gwen).

Emmeline is here

The Banbury Intricate Craft Circle has a special visitor.

View this clip on the BBC website

Featuring: Rebecca Front (Helen), Jessica Hynes (Margaret), Vicki Pepperdine (Gwen), Adrian Scarborough (Frank) & Sandi Toksvig (Emmeline Pankhurst).

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