Watch Up the Women

Up the Women is a BBC Two sitcom that first aired in 2013. The show revolves around a group of women in the town of Banbury in 1910 who are dedicated to the cause of women's suffrage. The main character, Margaret, played by Jessica Hynes, is determined to make a difference and help bring about change for women.

Margaret is part of the Banbury Intricate Craft Circle and Women's Institute, an all-female organization that is mostly focused on making crafts and recipes. However, Margaret realizes that this group of women has the potential to become a powerful force for change. Along with her friend Eva, played by Vicki Pepperdine, and a new member named Helen, played by Emma Pierson, they set out to bring the Women's Suffrage Movement to Banbury.

One of the key themes of the show is the struggle of women in the early 20th century to be taken seriously and have their voices heard. The women face opposition from the local men, who are dismissive of their efforts to be involved in politics. Furthermore, the women in the craft circle themselves are often hesitant to get involved in politics and are more comfortable sticking to their traditional roles. It is up to Margaret to convince them that change is needed and that they can be a part of that change.

The show is cleverly written, with a mix of humor and drama. The characters are well-developed and the acting is superb. Jessica Hynes is especially brilliant as Margaret, perfectly portraying a woman who is passionate about her cause but also has her own flaws and insecurities. Vicki Pepperdine and Emma Pierson also give great performances as Eva and Helen respectively.

The show also does a good job of portraying the suffragette movement and the different tactics used by women at the time to achieve their goals. Some women, like Margaret, favored peaceful protests and petitions, while others took a more radical approach, resorting to violence and vandalism. The show explores the pros and cons of these different tactics and the impact they have on the movement overall.

One of the standout episodes of the show is "The Wedding," where Margaret decides to use her friend's wedding as a platform to raise awareness about women's suffrage. Margaret plans to deliver a speech during the ceremony, but things don't go as planned when the groom's father, a local politician, steps in to stop her. The episode is a perfect example of the show's blend of humor and drama, as Margaret and her friends use their wits to try and make their voices heard.

Overall, Up the Women is an enjoyable and thought-provoking show that tackles an important topic with grace and humor. It's a testament to the strength of the writing and acting that the show manages to be both entertaining and informative. Fans of shows like Downton Abbey or Call the Midwife will find a lot to love here, as will anyone interested in the history of women's suffrage.

Up the Women is a series that ran for 2 seasons (9 episodes) between May 30, 2013 and on BBC Two