"The Mistress and the Maids" is the second episode of the first series of the British television series, '' Upstairs, Downstairs''. The episode is set in 1904. It is one of five episodes shot in

black-and-white Black-and-white (B&W or B/W) images combine black and white in a continuous spectrum, producing a range of shades of grey. Media The history of various visual media began with black and white, and as technology improved, altered to color. ...

due to an industrial dispute. "The Mistress and the Maids" was among the episodes omitted from ''Upstairs, Downstairs initial ''

Masterpiece Theatre ''Masterpiece'' (formerly known as ''Masterpiece Theatre'') is a drama anthology television series produced by WGBH Boston. It premiered on Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) on January 10, 1971. The series has presented numerous acclaimed Briti ...

'' broadcast in 1974, and was consequently not shown on US television until 1989.

Plot

In June 1904, Richard Bellamy commissions Guthrie Scone, a Bohemian artist, to paint his wife.

Lady Marjorie Bellamy The Lady Marjorie Helen Sybil Bellamy (''nee'' Talbot-Carey; 6 May 1860 or 12 July 1864 – 15 April 1912) is a fictional character in the ITV drama '' Upstairs, Downstairs''. She was portrayed by Rachel Gurney. Early life Lady Marjorie ...

duly poses for Scone, and Sarah Moffat is sent to deliver Lady Marjorie's dresses to his studio. Soon Scone simultaneously paints a nude portrait of Sarah and (an imagined) Rose Buck, whom he paints from Sarah's descriptions. Both paintings are exhibited together as "The Mistress and the Maids" at the Royal Academy causing a scandal. Sarah and Rose are nearly sacked but Scone persuades Richard to retain them.''The Mistress and the Maids''
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References

Upstairs, Downstairs (series 1) episodes 1971 British television episodes Fiction set in 1904 {{tv-episode-stub