On the Up
On the Up is a British sitcom written by Bob Larbey that aired on BBC One from 1990 to 1992, centring on Tony Carpenter, a self-made millionaire of Cockney origins who maintains close bonds with his live-in domestic staff while grappling with a disintegrating marriage to his socially aspirant wife, a wayward teenage daughter, and an interfering mother.[1][2] The series, spanning three seasons and 19 episodes, portrays Carpenter's navigation of upper-middle-class life in Esher, Surrey, where his rough-hewn personality clashes with pretensions around him, often finding solace and humour in interactions with his housekeeper, chauffeur, and secretary.[3][2] Dennis Waterman stars as the affable yet blunt protagonist, drawing on his prior fame from action-oriented series like The Sweeney to showcase a lighter, comedic persona rooted in class dynamics and family dysfunction.[2] Supporting roles feature Joan Sims as the loyal housekeeper Mrs. Wembley, Sam Kelly as the chauffeur Sam, and additional ensemble players including Tessa Peake-Jones as Carpenter's wife and Jessica Turner as his daughter Stephanie, emphasizing themes of loyalty among the working staff against familial estrangement.[2][4] The programme received moderate acclaim for its character-driven humour and Waterman's performance, earning a 7.1 out of 10 rating on IMDb from user reviews, though it did not achieve the widespread popularity of contemporaneous BBC sitcoms.[2] Episodes typically revolve around domestic mishaps, such as marital breakdowns and generational conflicts, with Carpenter's unpretentious outlook providing resolution amid escalating absurdities.[5] A complete DVD collection was released in later years, sustaining interest among fans of 1990s British comedy.[6]Overview and Premise
Series Concept
On the Up is a British sitcom that follows Tony Carpenter, a self-made millionaire hailing from working-class roots in South London, who built his fortune through an executive car hire business specializing in luxury vehicles.[1][7] The series depicts Carpenter navigating life in a lavish house in Esher, surrounded by his snobbish wife, rebellious daughter, interfering mother, and a team of loyal domestic staff whom he regards as extended family.[8][9][2] Central to the premise are the comedic tensions stemming from Carpenter's ascent from modest origins to affluence, where his unrefined background frequently collides with the pretensions of his new social milieu.[1][10] These class-based frictions are amplified by the perpetual disorder in his household, as personal drive and family dynamics generate ongoing upheaval.[2][11] The narrative emphasizes Carpenter's retention of his Cockney sensibilities amid these contrasts, without resolving into specific relational breakdowns or triumphs.[1]Creator and Development
Bob Larbey, an established British television writer, created On the Up as a solo project following his long-term collaboration with John Esmonde on character-driven sitcoms. Larbey and Esmonde had co-written The Good Life (1975–1978), a BBC series depicting a middle-class couple's attempt at self-sufficient suburban living, which emphasized interpersonal dynamics and everyday absurdities over broad farce.[12] Their partnership produced other hits like Please Sir! (1968–1972), but by the late 1980s, Larbey had transitioned to independent writing, including A Fine Romance (1981–1984) and On the Up, allowing him to explore themes of class and family through a single author's lens. Developed for BBC One in the late 1980s, the series centered on a self-made businessman's household interactions, with production decisions prioritizing relatable protagonists to ground its comedic observations. Dennis Waterman was cast as Tony Carpenter, the upwardly mobile lead, capitalizing on Waterman's established screen persona from gritty, working-class roles in The Sweeney (1975–1978) and Minder (1979–1994), which portrayed resilient everyman figures navigating modern Britain.[13] This choice aligned with Larbey's intent to humanize aspirational success through authentic character portrayals rather than caricature.[14] The program was greenlit for an initial three-series commitment, debuting on 4 September 1990 and concluding in 1992, amid a cultural backdrop favoring stories of individual enterprise in post-industrial Britain. While not overtly political, the narrative of personal advancement echoed the era's emphasis on self-reliance, predating Margaret Thatcher's resignation later that year, though Larbey's scripts focused on domestic tensions over ideological advocacy.[15][16]Cast and Characters
Principal Cast
Dennis Waterman stars as Tony Carpenter, a self-made executive car hire magnate whose Cockney roots and gritty determination fuel the series' class-based humor, particularly in his awkward navigation of upper-class social circles and pretensions following his purchase of a Surrey mansion.[1][2] Waterman's performance draws on his established tough-guy persona from prior roles, adapting it to comedic discomfort with inherited wealth's trappings while retaining a no-nonsense work ethic.[2] Joan Sims plays Mrs. Fiona Wembley, the loyal housekeeper whose traditional domestic values and dry wit underscore the show's contrasts between old-money snobbery and honest service, often delivering punchlines through her sherry-fueled asides like "Just the one!"[17][1] Sims' portrayal emphasizes steadfast reliability amid household upheavals, highlighting cultural clashes via her unpretentious, working-class sensibility.[2] Sam Kelly portrays Sam Jones, Tony's chauffeur, whose laconic, everyman demeanor amplifies the sitcom's exploration of class loyalty and deference, providing deadpan reactions to the employer's social climbing attempts.[1] Judy Buxton appears as Ruth Carpenter, Tony's wife, whose straight-talking personality and aspirations for refinement drive marital tensions rooted in differing adaptations to affluence.[2][1] Jenna Russell recurs as Maggie Lomax, Tony's post-separation partner, injecting further humor through her grounded perspective on his evolving domestic pretensions.[2][1]Supporting and Recurring Roles
Sam Kelly portrayed Sam Jones, the live-in handyman and odd-job man in Tony Carpenter's household, appearing in 20 episodes across the series and providing comic relief through his ineptitude and loyalty amid the family's upheavals.[18] Jones's role highlighted the practical challenges of maintaining a wealthy but chaotic home, often clashing with Tony's self-made pragmatism while underscoring class dynamics between employer and staff.[2] Joan Sims played Mrs. Fiona Wembley, Tony's opinionated mother, who featured in multiple episodes as a meddlesome figure dispensing unsolicited advice and stirring family tensions, her presence amplifying themes of generational conflict in upward mobility.[19] Sims's portrayal drew on her established comedic style, contributing to the ensemble's portrayal of intrusive familial bonds that tested Tony's authority.[20] Jenna Russell depicted Maggie Lomax, the au pair responsible for assisting with household duties and Tony's daughter, whose recurring appearances introduced romantic subplots and cultural clashes, reflecting the integration of foreign staff into British domestic hierarchies.[19] Lomax's character added layers to the show's exploration of interpersonal dependencies, with her interactions fostering awkward yet endearing dynamics among the live-in ensemble.[2] Judy Buxton appeared as Ruth Carpenter, Tony's teenage daughter, in 16 episodes, embodying adolescent rebellion and complicating her father's post-divorce life through typical youthful indiscretions that strained household routines.[18] Her role emphasized the supportive yet frictional family unit, contrasting Tony's business acumen with domestic unpredictability.[2] Recurring minor roles, such as Michelle Hatch's Dawn, the part-time cleaner in 11 episodes, further populated the household with working-class figures whose quirks mirrored real-world service relationships, enhancing the sitcom's depiction of a self-made man's entourage without overshadowing core conflicts.[18] These characters collectively fostered an ensemble chemistry that grounded the narrative in authentic interpersonal hierarchies, often generating humor from mismatched expectations between Tony's aspirations and everyday realities.[2]Production Details
Filming and Style
The series employed a traditional multi-camera studio setup for interior scenes, characteristic of BBC sitcom production in the early 1990s, allowing for efficient filming of dialogue-heavy sequences before a live audience or with added laughter. Exterior shots, particularly those depicting the protagonist Tony Carpenter's upscale home, were filmed on location in Weybridge, Surrey, to evoke the affluent suburban authenticity of the fictional Esher setting despite the property's actual position nearby.[8] This hybrid approach balanced cost-effective studio control with selective real-world visuals, prioritizing domestic interiors where much of the interpersonal tension unfolded. Stylistically, episodes ran approximately 30 minutes and emphasized verbal wit and character-driven scenarios over physical slapstick or elaborate action, aligning with creator Bob Larbey's preference for observational humor rooted in class and relational dynamics. Directors focused on tight comedic timing in confined spaces, using static camera work to highlight ensemble interactions rather than dynamic exteriors or special effects, which kept production grounded and narrative-centric. The inclusion of a laugh track reinforced the sitcom's reliance on audience-cued punchlines, enhancing the rhythm of rapid-fire banter without detracting from subtle performances.Writing and Episodes
Bob Larbey wrote all episodes of On the Up single-handedly, drawing on his established approach to sitcom scripting that prioritizes authentic, observational dialogue grounded in middle-class domesticity while building tension through incremental absurdities in routine interactions.[21][22] This solo authorship allowed for consistent tonal control, with each 30-minute installment focusing on self-contained scenarios that advance the overarching narrative of personal and relational upheaval without relying on overt farce.[1] The program spans three series totaling 19 episodes, broadcast on BBC One in weekly slots typically at 20:30 on Tuesdays for the first two series and Mondays for the third. Series 1 (6 episodes, September–October 1990) introduces core conflicts around marital discord; Series 2 (7 episodes, 1991) expands into interpersonal dynamics among household staff and extended relationships; Series 3 (6 episodes, September–November 1992) shifts toward business pressures and familial reconciliations, maintaining a linear progression without flashbacks or non-chronological elements. Directors, primarily Gareth Gwenlan, oversaw production to ensure visual pacing aligned with Larbey's verbal rhythm.[1] Episode metadata for each series is detailed below: Series 1 (1990)| No. | Title | Writer | Director | Air Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Walking Out | Bob Larbey | Gareth Gwenlan | 4 September 1990[23] |
| 2 | Mum | Bob Larbey | Gareth Gwenlan | 11 September 1990[5] |
| 3 | Mr. Burton | Bob Larbey | Gareth Gwenlan | 18 September 1990[24] |
| 4 | Episode Four | Bob Larbey | Gareth Gwenlan | 25 September 1990 |
| 5 | Episode Five | Bob Larbey | Gareth Gwenlan | 2 October 1990 |
| 6 | Douglas | Bob Larbey | Gareth Gwenlan | 9 October 1990[25] |
| No. | Title | Writer | Director | Air Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Episode One | Bob Larbey | Gareth Gwenlan | September 1991[26] |
| 2 | Episode Two | Bob Larbey | Gareth Gwenlan | September 1991[26] |
| 3 | Episode Three | Bob Larbey | Gareth Gwenlan | October 1991[26] |
| 4 | Episode Four | Bob Larbey | Gareth Gwenlan | October 1991[26] |
| 5 | Episode Five | Bob Larbey | Gareth Gwenlan | October 1991[26] |
| 6 | A Date With Jane Webster | Bob Larbey | Gareth Gwenlan | October 1991[15] |
| 7 | Episode Seven | Bob Larbey | Gareth Gwenlan | November 1991[26] |
| No. | Title | Writer | Director | Air Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Golf Tournament | Bob Larbey | Gareth Gwenlan | 28 September 1992[27] |
| 2 | The Fishing Trip | Bob Larbey | Gareth Gwenlan | 5 October 1992[27] |
| 3 | Temporary Secretary | Bob Larbey | Gareth Gwenlan | 12 October 1992[27][28] |
| 4 | Episode Four | Bob Larbey | Gareth Gwenlan | 19 October 1992 |
| 5 | Episode Five | Bob Larbey | Gareth Gwenlan | 26 October 1992 |
| 6 | Divorce | Bob Larbey | Gareth Gwenlan | 2 November 1992[4][29] |