Channel 4 delves into the world of domestic service with The Lady

The Lady is England’s longest running women’s weekly, but as well as offering this regular digest to  ‘elegant women with elegant minds’ the magazine offers another important service to its readers. 

Channel 4 has commissioned a brand new series that will follow the work of the Recruitment and Appointments Departments at The Lady magazine. Situation Vacant (working title), a 6x60’ series from Studio Lambert, will document the highly trained and discerning team who help the individuals and institutions  who come to them to find the most skilled and reputable domestic staff. 

Across the country those seeking domestic staff  come to The Lady to place advertisements in the classifieds.  From butlers and groundsmen  to nannies and housekeepers, this observational documentary series will follow the specific requests and requirements of the readers and the efforts of the team at The Lady to ensure  potential employees are the right fit.

Following the process from the moment an advertisement is submitted to the magazines recruiters, through the rigours of the shortlisting and interview process, Situation Vacant (wt) will reveal the skill and attention to detail that goes into finding the right person for some of the most sought after jobs in service. 

Situation Vacant (wt) was commissioned for Channel 4 by Features Commissioning Editor Kate Teckman. The 6x60’ series will be  produced by production house Studio Lambert, with Freya Sampson as Executive Producer. Situation Vacant (wt) will air in 2014.

Of the commission Kate Teckman said: “This fascinating series will take you behind the scenes of the dedicated team who know their gardeners from their ghillies and investigate what it takes to work in domestic service in the twenty first century.

Freya Sampson added: “We are delighted to be working with Channel 4 and The Lady on this documentary series about domestic service, following both those seeking employment and those looking for the very best staff for their home”.

ENDS.