Gemma Jones

At the turn of the twentieth century, Louisa Leyton secures the position of cook under Monsieur Alex, a leading chef, in a fashionable house.

Louisa is furious to learn that her landlords would like to terminate the lease and are looking for a breach of it on her part. So far, there is none, but life at the Bentinck is never dull and seldom free of trouble.

In October 1905 George Duggan, a rising star in the Liberal Party, sweeps to victory. His charm and sincerity seem unquestionable until he meets a beautiful woman at a party in Louisa's hotel.

Charlie Tyrrell has become disillusioned with his new lifestyle as Lord Haslemere and is beginning to feel sorry for himself. However, a guest at the Bentinck brings Charlie to his senses with a horrifying revelation.

Major Sir John Farjeon, an old friend of Louisa's, begs her to cook a special dinner on the last night of Royal Ascot. She agrees, but what should have been a gourmet's delight becomes the melting pot for an unpleasant scandal.

Every year at the Bentinck, Louisa gives a Servants' Ball where the guests wait upon the staff and usually the evening is a great success. However, on this occasion, a seemingly personable young man decides to cause trouble.

One evening a young lady arrives and asks for Lord Haslemere. There is some mystery and Louisa tries to unravel it and discovers why she wants to stay at the Bentinck.

By the spring of 1902, Louisa's hotel has become the toast of London and she herself is the vital spark, which fires the heart of society. Her food is exquisite, her wine superb, and her personality can be matched by none. But can this state of affairs last forever?

In Episode 1 of the series, Inspector Morse, who never quite finds romance, thinks that at last things will turn out differently. He meets the beautiful Anne Stavely, but it is a love not destined to be when Anne is found hanging from a beam under mysterious circumstances. Morse suspects murder and sets out to discover the truth with the help of Sergeant Lewis.

Shortly after moving into their newly finished dream house, Alice's partner, Harry, dies from falling down the stairs. Harry designed the house himself, so it's weird, wonderful, and impractical, and one more disorientation for Alice to endure along with her sense of loss and abandonment. Her beloved partner of twenty years is gone, and now she can't even find the fridge. To add to her problems, Alice discovers that Harry had a habit of hiding stuff...