archytele The Vault

The Upper Hand 1990

★ 7.2/10 · 6 votes Comedy 7 seasons · 95 eps Ended
Where to watch: Sky GoChannel 4UKTV Play
Quick answer

What is The Upper Hand?

The Upper Hand is a British television sitcom that was broadcast on ITV from 1 May 1990 to 14 October 1996. The series was produced by Central Independent Television and Columbia Pictures Television.

Type
TV series
Year
1990
Status
Ended
Episodes
95
Runtime
30 minutes
First aired
May 1, 1990
Last aired
Oct 14, 1996
Original language
EN
Origin
GB
Networks
ITV1
Genres
Comedy
Updated
Availability by region

Where to watch

Stream

Sky Go

With ads

Channel 4UKTV Play
Check current availability ↗

Streaming availability data provided by JustWatch via TMDB. Availability changes by country and date; verify on the provider before subscribing or purchasing.

Planning tool

How long to binge?

Estimate the schedule using 95 episodes and an average 30-minute runtime.

Trailer

No official trailer is available for this title yet.

Find the trailer on YouTube ↗

Overview

The Upper Hand is a British television sitcom that was broadcast on ITV from 1 May 1990 to 14 October 1996. The series was produced by Central Independent Television and Columbia Pictures Television. It was adapted from the American sitcom Who is the Boss?. The narrative centers on an affluent divorced woman named Caroline Weatley, who is raising her son, Tom, with the assistance of her mother, Laura West. When Caroline seeks to hire a housekeeper, a man named Charlie applies for the position. The program is characterized as a sitcom that also features dramatic elements. Throughout its production, the series explored the domestic dynamics resulting from this arrangement. The show ran for a total of several years during its tenure on ITV. As an adaptation of a foreign format, it brought the premise of a male housekeeper working for a single professional mother to a British television audience. The series remains a notable example of television adaptation during the early 1990s, maintaining its broadcast presence until the conclusion of its run in the autumn of 1996.

Advertisement

Should you watch it?

“A British sitcom about a single mother who hires a man as her housekeeper.”

Reasons to watch
  • adaptation of a classic concept
  • explores unconventional household dynamics
Keep in mind
  • follows a pre-existing American format

Watch it if you enjoy classic British sitcoms focused on family and domestic life.

The series is a lighthearted sitcom suitable for general family viewing.

Ask the Vault

Ask anything about The Upper Hand — answers are spoiler-safe.

Your verdict

Is The Upper Hand worth watching?

Cast

Episode guide

Season 1 · 13 episodes Open the complete Season 1 guide →
Season 2 · 12 episodes
Season 3 · 13 episodes
Season 4 · 19 episodes
Season 5 · 16 episodes

Frequently asked questions

What is the premise of the show?

An affluent single mother hires a man to work as her housekeeper.

When did the show air?

The series was broadcast on ITV from 1990 to 1996.

Is it based on another show?

Yes, the programme was adapted from the American sitcom Who's the Boss?.

Who produced the series?

It was produced by Central Independent Television and Columbia Pictures Television.

What is the genre of the show?

The Upper Hand is a television sitcom with dramatic elements.