Mulberry (1992)
Synopsis
Mulberry was a fantasy situation comedy airing on BBC One in the early 1990s. The creative team behind the programme included writers John Esmonde and Bob Larbey. Mulberry ran for two series: the first series of six episodes ran from 24 February to 30 March 1992 and the second series of seven episodes ran from 8 April to 25 May 1993. A third series was planned, but was cancelled before production began. As a result, Mulberry never arrived at its logical conclusion.
Creator
Bob Larbey, John Esmonde
Network
BBC One
Episodes
Arrival
The mysterious Mulberry arrives, carpet bag in hand to apply for the recently vacated position of companion to the elderly and reclusive Miss Rose Farnaby. Strangely, Miss Farnaby's staff hasn't even had time to post the vacancy before the mysterious Mulberry arrives to fill it. Mulberry manages to persuade Miss Farnaby that he does have experience and is fully capable of handling the new position. She finally relents and hires him for the job, and the fun begins. His first task, to convince Miss Farnaby to part with a childhood rocking horse and give it to her grand-nephew. Miss Farnaby is soon wondering why she hired him........
Fireworks
It is Guy Fawkes Night at the Farnaby manor and time for the traditional bonfire. Miss Farnaby supports the bonfire but normally does not participate or if she does, she does so from a distance. Well now, Mulberry is determined to end this non-participation by his employer, and sets out to make the night one to remember, with fireworks included in the evenings festivities. As usual, Bert and Alice think that they should not have to do everything by themselves and fully expected Mulberry to assist them, which of course he doesn't, much to their dismay.
The Quiz
It is time for the local village's Annual Quiz Contest. Mulberry manages to convince Miss Farnaby that they should enter a team in the contest and that they will be a cinch to win it. Things take a change for the worse when Miss Farnaby's sister Adele, who has bested her at everything her whole life, decides to enter the contest as well, against the team of Miss Farnaby and her staff.
The Holiday
Miss Farnaby is out of sorts. So much so that she has everyone at the manor on edge, including Mulberry, who convinces her she needs a little trip away to freshen her outlook and cheer her up. She decides to go to Paris and decides to take Mulberry along. As may be expected, a problem arises on the way to the airport and the trip is in dire jeopardy and it's Mulberry's fault.
The Dinner Party
Miss Farnaby, refreshed from her outing with Mulberry, decides to have a dinner party at the manor. Of course, Bert and Alice are upset at the extra work involved, but have no choice but to prepare the evening meal, constantly battling with Mulberry over the preparations. It seems that Miss Farnaby's dinner party is destined to be a success when an unforeseen event occurs that could ruin more than just the dinner party.
Leaving
Mulberry decides to make a safety check of the manor. Much to Bert and Alice's dismay, he declares the manor a death trap. Thinking of this and the implications causes him problems. His father appears again and in frustration, Mulberry decides the only way to protect Miss Farnaby is if he leaves the manor as suddenly as he came. This turn of events provokes a battle between him and his father on who is really in charge and who is going to ""take care of"" Miss Farnaby.
Cast
Details
Original Title
Mulberry
Status
Ended
Seasons
2
Episodes
13
Production
BBC