On Trial (Upstairs, Downstairs)

"On Trial"
Upstairs, Downstairs episode
Episode no.Season 1
Episode 1
Directed byRaymond Menmuir / Derek Bennett
Written byFay Weldon / Alfred Shaughnessy
Original air date10 October 1971 (1971-10-10)

"On Trial" is the first episode of the first series of the British television series, Upstairs, Downstairs. The episode is set in November 1903.

Due to an industrial dispute over extra payments for using newly introduced colour equipment, during which broadcasting unions refused to allow their members to use colour cameras, the first six episodes of the first series were shot in black-and-white, and when colour production resumed, the first episode was remade in colour.

There are 2 endings shot for the colour version of this episode, one where Sarah quits was to air when the black and white season 1 episodes are not part of the broadcast package, as was the case for the original USA broadcasts, and one where she stays (she eventually leaves in the later episode 3, which was black and white).

The original black-and-white version of this episode is believed to have been wiped.