British Comedy Guide
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.

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Episode menu

Series 1, Episode 1

Banbury Intricate Craft Circle member Margaret returns to the sleepy town from London, bringing news of a new political movement fighting for women to gain the vote...

Preview clips

Further details

Up The Women. Margaret (Jessica Hynes). Copyright: BBC / Baby Cow Productions

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

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
Writing team
Jessica Hynes Writer
Barunka O'Shaughnessy Writer (Additional Material)
Dan Swimer Writer (Additional Material)
Adam Kay Writer (Additional Material)
Fraser Steele 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

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).

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