Hotel Babylon
- TV comedy drama
- BBC One
- 2006 - 2009
- 32 episodes (4 series)
Comedy drama about the workings of a glamorous 5-star London hotel, and the lives of its key staff members. Stars Tamzin Outhwaite, Max Beesley, Dexter Fletcher, Emma Pierson, Martin Marquez and more.
Streaming rank this week: 5,329
Episode menu
Series 4, Episode 7
Further details
Juliet has promised James a promotion if the extravagant funeral of a VIP guest is a success, but an ill-timed comment by Gino is set to blow James's chances altogether.
Meanwhile, Jim Doody, an old flame of Juliet's, is staying at Babylon and is keen to rekindle their relationship. Juliet is delighted to see her ex but this throws up unexpected feelings of jealousy for Sam. While Sam tries to work out his feelings for Juliet he falls for the charms of an attractive female guest, resulting in a one-night stand.
Later, after a heated row over the funeral arrangements, James rashly fires Gino but soon realises his mistake when the body of the famous Sicilian artist, Christiano Cucci, disappears. Having persuaded a reluctant Gino to come back, the two embark on a search of the hotel with some startling discoveries.
Elsewhere, Ben and the gang are surprised at Juliet's choice of new hotel receptionist. Mel's clothes are dated, her hair and make-up are wrong and she doesn't have that five-star edge. It's not long before Ben exposes as her an imposter...
Broadcast details
- Date
- Friday 7th August 2009
- Time
- 9pm
- Channel
- BBC One
- Length
- 60 minutes
Cast & crew
| Dexter Fletcher | Tony Casemore |
| Martin Marquez | Gino Primirola |
| Michael Obiora | Ben Trueman |
| Raymond Coulthard (as Ray Coulthard) | James Schofield |
| Danira Govic | Tanya Mihajlov |
| Alexandra Moen | Emily James |
| Nigel Harman | Sam Franklin |
| Anna Wilson Jones | Juliet Miller |
| Amy Nuttall | Melanie Hughes |
| Hugh Dennis | Jim Doody |
| Clive Russell | Christiano Cucci |
| Poppy Elliot | Sophie |
| Thaila Zucchi | Luna Cucci |
| Sally Dexter | Eva Cucci |
| Lucy Liemann | Charlotte |
| Nia Roberts | Precious |
| Charles Mayer | Doug |
| John Hopkins | Phil McGuiness |
| Siobhan Hewlett | Isabel |
| Tom Turner | Craig |
| Peter McNally | Pallbearer |
| Jess Williams | Writer |
| Katy Harmer | Script Editor |
| Andy Hay | Director |
| Gareth Neame | Executive Producer |
| Polly Williams | Producer |
| Christopher Aird | Executive Producer |
| Emma Oxley | Editor |
| Karl Probert | Production Designer |
| John Lunn | Composer |
| Jim Williams | Composer |
Press
Yes, that is Amy Nuttall in the opening titles tonight. The former Emmerdale and Celebrity Shark Bait star arrives at Babylon as the hotel's latest employee. Well, that's her story anyway. When Ben assumes she's the new receptionist she doesn't bother to correct him, even though the combination of her candy-pink lipstick and Ugly Betty-style braces make him recoil so squeamishly you'd think she was wearing a hat made out of used teabags.
But if he thinks her dress sense is bad, just wait till he sees what hotel owner Sam (Nigel Harman) is persuaded to wear at a baby shower tonight. Oh, Nigel, is this really what you signed up for?
Also checking in tonight is Hugh Dennis, who plays a comedian and an old flame of manager Juliet. And just to underline what a small world acting is, Hugh's on-screen daughter in Outnumbered is played by Ramona Marquez - the real-life daughter of Martin Marquez - Babylon's barman Gino.
Gino's overflowing with wisdom tonight as the hotel is the setting for the funeral of an Italian painter who was one of Babylon's most treasured guests.
As his widow and ex-wife trade black looks, the corridors of Babylon ring out with terrible Italian accents.
But then believability was never this show's forte - which could explain why Scottish actor Clive Russell is cast as the Italian corpse in another five-star farce.
Jane Simon, The Mirror, 7th August 2009