Stroke delays Marsh return

Actress will miss the start of Upstairs Downstairs...

09:48 04 October 2011

Jean Marsh will miss the start of the next series of Upstairs Downstairs after suffering a minor stroke.

The news comes as Marsh, co-creator and star of the BBC's period drama, receives an Emmy nomination for her role as maid Rose Buck; her fourth for her performance as the character.

The actress said in a statement:

"Unfortunately I won't be returning to Eaton Place quite as quickly as I had hoped. I am looking forward to spending time with Rose again when I'm match-fit and I miss the cast and crew tremendously."

The scripts are currently being rewritten for the six-part series which will begin filming next week.

Faith Penhale, BBC Wales head of drama and Upstairs Downstairs executive producer added:

"Rose is a much loved, cherished member of the household who was instrumental in bringing everyone together in last year's successful revival."

Last week, it was announced that Doctor Who star Alex Kingston was joining the cast to play the younger sister of Dame Eileen AtkinsÂ’ character Lady Holland.

Dame Eileen co-created the programme with Jean Marsh but only joined the cast for last year's BBC take. It was recently announced that she had quit the show due to not being happy with the scripts.

Marsh is the only actor to have appeared in both the original series and the recent revival.

The new series, set to air this spring, will begin in 1938 and chart the months leading up the outbreak of World War II.