10 Classic British TV Shows That Failed As American Remakes

1. Upstairs, Downstairs (1971-1975) / Beacon Hill (1975)

Upstairs, Downstairs is the quintessential British television show, hell it€™s the quintessential British everything €“ Earls, Ladies, Counts, and Countesses, London townhouses, servants, World War I. Running for five series on ITV, Upstairs, Downstairs depicts the lives and limited interactions between the wealthy Bellamy family and their servants. As expected with grand, British costume dramas, the show racked up awards internationally €“ everything from BAFTAs (two Best Drama Series), Primetime Emmys (three Outstanding Drama Series), and Golden Globes (one Best Drama). Needless to say, it was one of the best shows of the 1970s and of all-time. So naturally, America wanted one of their own. With Beacon Hill, the American producers relocated the action to Boston, but started the timeframe in the 1920€™s (the original started in 1903 and went through 1930). Though the premiere scored solid ratings, viewership drastically dropped off and the show was cancelled after only 13 episodes. Clearly it was nowhere near the high quality of its predecessor, but the American remake did not go completely unnoticed €“ it won an Emmy for Best Art Direction/Set Design (the same year Upstairs, Downstairs won Best Drama).