High Table, Lower Orders

Fourteen episodes. First broadcast from 20050218 to 20060512. (* = BBC7).

A new six part comedy-thriller-drama from the writer of Absolute Power, set in a small Cambridge college that is riven by argument between the traditionalists and the modernisers.

  • The BBC7 rebroadcast in February 2008 was played out of sequence - listeners discovered the murderer when they shouldn't have - so a three hour omnibus was scheduled in March.
 
 
SeriesEpisodeTitleFirst
Broadcast
RepeatedDescription
0101 20050218* 20080204, * 20080205Since graduation, Simon has hardly blazed a trail. So why does an old Cambridge master need him?
College has been drawn together by the death of one of its most prominent Dons, celebrity TV historian Peter Devanti - as everyone gathers to attend the funeral Simon, an ex-student and now disillusioned health and safety officer, begins to wonder that Devantis death was not as straightforward as it at first appeared.
0102 20050225* 20080205, * 20080206As another mysterious death occurs, Simon is made to consider the apparent relevance of cruets.
Following another unexpected death the college dons find themselves facing an internal election, whilst at the same a financial crisis looms large.
0103 20050304* 20080206, * 20080207As the strain of Simon's day job increases, Peter is the subject of shocking revelations.
The race for master is in full swing, and skullduggery is high on the dons' agendas. Meanwhile Simon's investigation is hampered by the fact that he's sent to Brussels to attend a health and safety conference, where all does not go well.
0104 20050311* 20080207, * 20080208Simon achieves the impossible feat of hanging onto his job. But is Zoe the next target?
As the fellows adjust to Gilbert becoming the new master, Simon finds himself in the awkward position of having to inspect the college Chapel for the Health and Safety office, whilst at the same time pursuing the identity of Peter Devantis murderer.
0105 20050318* 20080208, * 20080209Simon loses the struggle to hang onto his job. Another, more intriguing, offer is forthcoming.
Following the attempted poisoning of Zoe, Simon steps up his search for the killer.
0106 LAST 20050325* 20080211, * 20080212Exams loom large, but it's not only the students who are under pressure as it becomes increasingly clear that each of the fellows had a very good reason to kill celebrity historian, Devanti. But can Simon unveil the real killer.
Events prove inevitable, but Simon is able to call on his HSE background for one final ruse.
01OMNI  * 20080308 
0201 2006040720080711The college is in dire financial straits and Simon finds himself bereft of a job. Could this be the perfect opportunity for Gilbert to furnish the college with a somewhat more popular course and satisfyingly upset the Dean in the process?
The college is battling against ever present finance savings, and Simon finds himself bereft of a job. Could this be the perfect opportunity for Gilbert to furnish the college with a somewhat more popular course, and satisfyingly upset the Dean in the process?
0202 2006041420080718Whilst Simon is struggling in his new status as don, the Dean finds his popularity with the students rising. Meanwhile, Gilbert faces the rather grave task of dealing with a student found cheating
Whilst Simon is struggling in his new status as don, the Dean finds his popularity with the students on the increase. Meanwhile Gilbert faces the rather grave task of dealing with a student found cheating.
0203 2006042120080725One of the students has been found hanged, in what appears to be a suicide. But Simon is not convinced, and feels that the college may once more have a murder on its hands.
0204 2006042820080801One of the students has confessed to murder, but Simon is not convinced of his guilt. However, his investigation is put on hold when he finds himself debating against a government minister about modernisation.
0205 2006050520080808Whilst Simon is distracted with his murder investigation, the fellows find themselves undergoing individual performance assessments. The Master finds the whole idea appalling, but the Dean seems to be relishing every moment.
0206 LAST 2006051220080815The fellows are busy with entrance exams and Roisin is struggling with the marking system - what exactly is a Catherine Beta minus Zeta Jones? Meanwhile Simon is convinced he knows who the killer is, but can he find the evidence to prove it, and prevent another murder?
  Series 2   

Cast and Crew

Kim Wall
bernardJonathan Coy
deanMichael Maloney
di rendellRachel Atkins
elspethElizabeth Bell
gilbertGeoffrey Palmer
ianmatt green
jamesAnthony Glennon
janeRachel Atkins
janetracey wiles
jimStephen Hogan
producer Dawn Ellis
robinDavid Bannerman
roisinmichelle fairley
rosinmichelle fairley
servantAnthony Glennon
simonSamuel West
stewartAnthony Glennon
student 1tom price
student 2Zoe Gardner
thomas wheatley
tom price
written by Mark Tavener
zoeSharon Small