This ITV drama focuses on the Grand Hotel in Manchester post World War One. It examines the lives of the Bannisters as they struggle to restore the hotel to its former glory and the servants below stairs who struggle with their day to day lives in a class ridden, hypocritical society. Actress Julia St. John (The Brittas Empire) plays Sarah Bannerman, the angst ridden manageress, Tim Healy (Auf Wiedersehen,Pet) is Mr Collins, the diplomatic doorman and Mark McGann is the manipulative, amoral Marcus Bannerman. Veteran actress Susan Hampshire gives a superb performance as Esme Harkness, the ageing Madame, in this classic costume drama that aired for two series between 1997 and 1998.