Man at the Top, originally screened in the early ‘70s, takes up the continuing story of Joe Lampton, the aggressively ambitious anti-hero of John Braine’s bestselling novel Room at the Top, its award-winning film adaptation of 1958, and 1965 sequel Life at the Top. Kenneth Haigh’s portrayal of Joe Lampton earned him a BAFTA nomination, while accomplished film and stage actress Zena Walker is Joe’s long-suffering wife, Susan. This intense, compelling drama series was created and co-written by John Braine, and George Markstein features among the producers.
Thirteen years on from his marriage to the pregnant Susan – a condition of his continuing promotion by Susan’s father and his then boss, Mr. Brown – Joe Lampton has a new home in Surrey’s stockbroker belt and a career as a management consultant. As pushy and hard-headed as ever, he will go to any lengths to keep a grip on his position. Joe remains married to Susan and the couple now have two children, but his attentions rarely remain fixed and he does not fail to take advantage of all that his status and connections bring within his reach; this inevitably includes the attractive and available women he encounters. A single event, however, causes Joe to re-assess his life – with far-reaching consequences.
Spoiler: At the start of the second series, Joe Lampton returns to Susan, but several beautiful women are eagerly forming the ‘other woman’ queue. And Joe, still believing the quickest way to a chairman is through the chairman’s wife, is as determined and manipulative as ever on his continuing climb to the top; overcoming adversity once again, this series finds him seizing the opportunity to get the better of his father-in-law, and finally setting his sights on a political career – bringing all his ruthless charm and tenacity to the fight for votes.
Supporting cast includes Paul Eddington and Colin Welland, with guest appearances by Stephanie Beacham and George Sewell. This 4 disc set retails at £39.99.
A new BBC production was supposed to air on BBC Four in April 2011, but contractural problems have lead to it being shelved for the time being.