| Hotel Babylon | |
|---|---|
 Series title card | |
| Format | Comedy / Drama |
| Created by | Tony Basgallop Imogen Edwards-Jones (novel) |
| Starring | Present Cast Nigel Harman Anna Wilson-Jones Dexter Fletcher Martin Marquez Michael Obiora Ray Coulthard Danira Gović Alexandra Moen Amy Nuttall |
| Country of origin |  United Kingdom |
| No. of series | 4 |
| No. of episodes | 32 (List of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Running time | 60 minutes |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | BBC One |
| Picture format | 576i (SDTV)/1080i (HDTV) |
| Original run | 19 January 2006 – present |
| External links | |
| BBC Official website | |
Hotel Babylon is a BBC television drama series based on the book of the same name by Imogen Edwards-Jones, first shown in January 2006. Produced by independent production company Carnival Films for BBC One, the show follows the lives of workers at a glamorous five-star hotel.
Contents[hide] |
[edit] Ratings
The show achieves high ratings at around 5 million viewers each episode and winning their timeslot. The program often beats shows shown on other channels in the same timeslot, such as Eleventh Hour, Footballer's Wives, and Ladette to Lady, all shown on ITV1. Despite Tamzin Outhwaite's departure at the end of season 2, the show still managed to maintain similar figures as the first two series, during the first half of season 3. However, after Max Beesley's departure at the middle of season 3, the show saw a decline in figures from 5 million to 4 million viewers.
The finale of the first series obtained 5.74 million viewers; the second series opened with 5.79 million before rising to 6.6 million viewers for episode 2.[1]
The fourth series opened with 4.28 million (20.1%).[2]
[edit] Cast and Characters
[edit] Current Cast
| Character | Actor(s) | Role(s) | First Appearance | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sam Franklin | Nigel Harman | Hotel Owner | Series 4, Episode 1 | 2009- |
| Juliet Miller | Anna Wilson-Jones | General Manager | Series 4, Episode 1 | 2009- |
| Tony Casemore | Dexter Fletcher | Head Concierge | Series 1, Episode 1 | 2006- |
| Gino Primirola | Martin Marquez | Head Barman | Series 1, Episode 1 | 2006- |
| James Schofield | Ray Coulthard | Food and Beverage Manager | Series 1, Episode 1 | 2006- |
| Emily James | Alexandra Moen | PR Manager | Series 3, Episode 1 | 2008- |
| Ben Trueman | Michael Obiora | Acting Head Receptionist (formerly Receptionist) | Series 1, Episode 1 | 2006- |
| Melanie Hughes | Amy Nuttall | Receptionist | Series 4, Episode 7 | 2009- |
| Tanja Mihajlov | Danira Gović | Head of Housekeeping (formerly Maid) | Series 1, Episode 1 | 2006- |
[edit] Past Cast
| Character | Actor(s) | Role(s) | First Appearance | Final Appearance | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rebecca Mitchell | Tamzin Outhwaite | Former General Manager | Series 1, Episode 1 | Series 2, Episode 8 | 2006-2007 |
| Jackie Clunes | Natalie Mendoza | Former Head of Housekeeping | Series 1, Episode 1 | Series 3, Episode 5 | 2006-2008 |
| Jack Harrison | Lee Williams | Former General Manager | Series 3, Episode 4 | Series 3, Episode 8 | 2008 |
| Charlie Edwards | Max Beesley | Former General Manager | Series 1, Episode 1 | Series 4, Episode 3 | 2006-2008, 2009 |
| Anna Thornton-Wilton | Emma Pierson | Former Head Receptionist | Series 1, Episode 1 | Series 4, Episode 3 | 2006-2009 |
[edit] Guest stars
The show often attracts well known actors and celebrities, normally posing as guests staying at the hotel.
[edit] Series 1[3]
[edit] Series 2[4]
[edit] Series 3[5]
[edit] Series 4[6]
[edit] Series
So far, there have been four series broadcast[7].
In the UK, series 4 started on 19 June 2009 at 21:00 on BBC One. Series 4 also premiered in April 2009 in Poland on the cable channel TVN Style.
New cast members include Nigel Harman as the new hotel owner, Sam Franklin; Anna Wilson-Jones as the general manager, Juliet Miller; and Amy Nuttall as the new receptionist, Melanie Hughes.
Max Beesley returned for a guest appearance in the third episode, and long standing cast member Emma Pierson also left in the same episode.
[edit] Broadcasts
[edit] International broadcasts
[edit] DVD & Blu-Ray Releases
The DVDs are released by BBC Worldwide through 2 Entertain.
Series One was released on DVD in the UK on 19 March 2007, and in the US and Canada on 12 February 2008. This series was also released in high definition in the UK on HD DVD (Combo disc) and Blu-ray Disc on 5 November 2007.
Series Two was initially slated for release in the UK on 30 September 2007 but was released on 17 March 2008. Internationally, it was released on 14 Feb 2008 in Australia and 5 Aug 2008 in the US and Canada.
Series Three was released on DVD in the US and Canada on 3 March 2009 (released before it premiered on BBC America). In the UK, it was on 13 July 2009.
Series Four was released on DVD on 17 August 2009 in the UK.
[edit] iTunes Releases
Series One, Two, and Three have been released digitally in SD & HD via the iTunes Store in the UK. Series 4 episodes are currently being released seven days after broadcast.
[edit] References
- ^ BARB Viewing figures, BARB Limited in 15 February 2007.
- ^ Digital Spy Viewing Figures, Digital Spy in 24 June 2009.
- ^ Season 1 guest stars - BBC Press Office
- ^ Season 2 guest stars - BBC Press Office
- ^ Season 3 guest stars - BBC Press Office
- ^ Season 4 Guest Stars
- ^ BBC One orders fourth series of Hotel Babylon - BBC Press Office
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