Hotel Babylon is a television drama series based on the book of the same name by Imogen Edwards-Jones and produced by Carnival Films which follows the lives of workers at a glamorous five-star hotel, where only the richest and most famous stay.
The series aired in the UK on BBC One from 19 January, 2006 to 14 August, 2009. There are 32 hour-long episodes in four seasons. The show was not renewed for a fifth season.
Hotel Babylon premiered in South Africa on DStv's BBC Prime (now BBC Entertainment) channel on Monday 8 October 2007, at 20h30. See "Seasons" below for seasonal broadcast dates and times.
Season 4 premiered on BBC Entertainment on Tuesday 9 March 2010, at 20h30. New episodes air weekly. There are eight episodes in the fourth and final season.
Repeats
Wednesdays: 00h20
Season 1
Tamzin Outhwaite and Max Beesley star in Hotel Babylon, a tantalising and seductive insight into the sexy world of the luxury five-star hotel industry, where money not only talks but can buy just about anything you desire.
Based on Imogen Edwards-Jones' searing exposé of life behind the scenes of the luxury hotel industry in London, Hotel Babylon takes us on a journey beyond the glamour and façade of the smiling faces and glittering chandeliers and into the frenetic, non-stop world of the staff.
Outhwaite plays Rebecca Mitchell, the hotel's driven and ambitious General Manager who is determined to keep the profit margins more than above average.
Running a tight ship ensures that guests and staff are rewarded. But is work taking its toll on her private life? Head Receptionist Charlie begins to wonder when he suspects Rebecca may actually be living in the hotel and not at home with her husband.
Beesley plays Charlie Edwards, who introduces us to the world of Hotel Babylon – a world of fantasy and indulgence; a world where you can be who you want to be as long as you have the money to pay for it... and know who to ask.
But Charlie has ambitions and when he applies for the job of Deputy Manager he finds stiff competition in the shape of the gorgeous Anna (Emma Pierson), who is desperate to move from a rival hotel.
Other characters in the hotel include Tony (Dexter Fletcher) the colourful and discreet concierge. A good concierge is like a magician - he can organise the best seats to the hottest show in town at the last minute and will take care of any personal crises that happen along the way - ultimately ensuring your visit to Hotel Babylon is as shiny as your credit card.
Gino (Martin Marquez) is the flamboyant Head Barman. The bar is his baby and he will stay open all night if it means selling his beloved brandy, not to mention his precious stash of Cuban cigars.
Receptionist Ben (Michael Obiora), always on the lookout for the latest boy band checking in, and Jackie (Natalie Mendoza), the straight-talking, stunning Head of Housekeeping who has to deal with the mornings after the night before, make up the rest of the front of house team.
Season 2
Tamzin Outhwaite and Max Beesley return to star in season two of Hotel Babylon, a tantalising and seductive insight into the sexy world of the luxury five-star hotel industry, where money not only talks but can buy just about anything you desire.
Inspired by Imogen Edwards-Jones' searing expose of life behind the scenes of the luxury hotel industry in London, Hotel Babylon takes us on a journey beyond the glamour and facade of the smiling faces and glittering chandeliers and into the frenetic, non-stop world of the staff.
Edwards-Jones' book was written with help from an anonymous source. Anonymous is the manager of a five-star central London hotel. For the past 16 years he has worked in almost all of the capital's luxury hotels.
Tamzin Outhwaite plays Rebecca, the hotel's driven and ambitious General Manager who is determined to keep the profit margins more than above average. Running a tight ship ensures that guests and staff are rewarded. Loyalty is everything and Rebecca will tolerate most things as long as they don't adversely affect her balance sheets.
But has work taken its toll on her private life? Season two finds her in the middle of a divorce, working harder than ever and at times losing sight of her friends. But when faced with romance at work will Rebecca practice what she preaches to her staff?
Max Beesley plays Charlie who is the viewers' guide to the world of Hotel Babylon – a world of fantasy, indulgence, a world where you can be who you want to be as long as you have the money to pay for it ... and know who to ask.
But even Charlie finds his patience tested on many occasions throughout the second season and, when faced with a family dilemma, he sails too close to the wind and risks landing himself back in the slammer.
Other returning characters include the charismatic, colourful and discreet Head Concierge Tony played by Dexter Fletcher.
Head Receptionist Anna (Emma Pierson) is as lovable as ever but still knows how to press Charlie's buttons as only two people who have been to bed can.
Her colleague Ben (Michael Obiora) is still camping it up and Gino (Martin Marquez), Babylon's flamboyant Head Barman, is back to mix more cocktails and fleece more customers for top tips.
The dashing but desperately snobby James (Ray Coulthard) is back managing his newly-refurbished restaurant and Jackie (Natalie Mendoza), the gorgeous Head of Housekeeping who has to deal with the mornings after the night before, make up the rest of the front of house team.
Newcomer Paul Telfer plays Tony's new trainee Luke. With his good looks, confidence and naughty streak, he promises to turn heads both back and front of house. But his arrogance comes at a price.
Season 2 has many visiting guest artists playing a whole host of characters and in some cases themselves.
The season kicks off with a sparkling array of talent to match Babylon's shimmering chandeliers with Cherie Lunghi, Russ Abbot, Ronni Ancona, Chris Moyles, Chantelle Houghton and Kacey Ainsworth.
Other actors in season two include David Walliams, Jerry Hall, Danny Dyer, Chris Parker, Richard Hawley, Alexander Armstrong, John Sessions, Chris Coghill, Mark Heap, John Sessions, Kelly Brooke, Julian Clary and Jennifer Ellison.
Season 3
Following the departure of Babylon's General Manager, Rebecca, Deputy Manager Charlie (Max Beesley) steps up as Hotel Babylon – a tantalising and seductive insight into the sexy world of the luxury five-star hotel industry – checks in for season three.
Just as driven and ambitious as his predecessor, Charlie is determined to make his mark and ensure the hotel's standards and profits are at an optimum.
However, running a tight ship and hitting targets come at a price and Charlie soon learns that as General Manager his decisions aren't always going to be popular with the Babylon employees.
Inspired by Imogen Edwards-Jones's searing exposé of life behind the scenes of London's luxury hotel industry, Hotel Babylon takes viewers on a journey beyond the glamour and facade of the smiling faces and glittering chandeliers, and into the frenetic, non-stop world of the staff.
Edwards-Jones' book was written with help from an anonymous source – the manager of a five-star central London hotel with many years' experience working in almost all of the capital's luxury hotels.
Checking in for the new season are: John Barrowman, Kwame Kwei-Armah, Megan Dodds, Anita Dobson, Jeremy Sheffield, Alan Davies, Paula Abdul, Nicola Stephenson, Lesley Garrett, Lee Sharpe, Mark Bannerman, Donna Air, James Lance, Don Gilet, Jon Culshaw and Samantha Bond, among others.
As well as the regular cast, Hotel Babylon welcomes new employees Alexandra Moen as PR superwhizz Emily James, who promises to shake things up a bit; and Lee Williams as Charlie's new right-hand man and deputy manager, Jack.
Max Beesley returns as charismatic Charlie Edwards, stepping into the role of General Manager.
He is joined by Dexter Fletcher, who plays concierge Tony; Emma Pierson, who plays foxy head receptionist Anna; Natalie Mendoza, who plays Jackie, the sexy head of housekeeping; Michael Obiora, who plays bitchy receptionist Ben; Martin Marquez as charming head barman Gino; and Ray Coulthard, who plays stiff-upper-lipped food and beverage manager James.
Season 4
Nigel Harman and Anna Wilson-Jones join the cast of Hotel Babylon in Season 4, which takes a tantalising and seductive insight into the sexy world of the luxury five-star hotel industry.
Regular cast members Dexter Fletcher, Emma Pierson, Michael Obiora, Martin Marquez, Ray Coulthard, Danira Govic and Alexandra Moen are joined by Nigel Harman as the hotel's new charismatic owner, Sam Franklin.
His ex-wife and Babylon's General Manager, Juliet, is played by Anna Wilson-Jones.
When Sam Franklin attempts to check into Hotel Babylon in episode one, little does he know that his ex-wife, Juliet, has been appointed as a trouble-shooter to either shut down or save the hotel.
As the day unfolds some disturbing events threaten the hotel's equilibrium and Sam decides to take matters into his own hands. Several phone calls later and Sam Franklin is the new owner of Hotel Babylon much to his ex-wife's annoyance.
There's a Bollywood-style wedding, celebrity magazine shoot, mafia gangsters and lots of guest stars checking in for the fourth season.
Inspired by Imogen Edwards-Jones' expose of life behind the scenes of the luxury hotel industry in London, Hotel Babylon takes us on a journey beyond the glamour and facade of the smiling faces and glittering chandeliers and into the frenetic, non-stop world of the staff.
The regular cast include the charismatic Tony (Dexter Fletcher), the colourful and discreet concierge; the delectable-but-catty head receptionist Anna (Emma Pierson); Gino (Martin Marquez), Babylon's flamboyant head barman and even more flamboyant receptionist; Ben (Michael Obiora), who continues to camp it up front of house.
Tanya (Danira Govic) is promoted to head of housekeeping following Jackie's departure in Season 4.
As well as the regular cast, Hotel Babylon welcomes former Emmerdale star and new employee Amy Nuttall as Melanie Hughes who joins the cast in episode seven.
Max Beesley makes a guest appearance as Charlie Edwards and gets more than he bargains for when he sees old flame Anna.
Seasons
(All seasons aired exclusively on BBC Prime/BBC Entertainment. There are eight episodes per season.)
Season 1
Premiere: 8 October 2007 | Finale: 26 November 2007 | Mondays, 20h30
Season 2
Premiere: 3 September 2008 | Finale: 22 October 2008 | Wednesdays, 20h30
Season 3
Premiere: 29 October 2008 | Finale: 17 December 2008 | Wednesdays, 20h30
Season 4
Premiere: 9 March 2010 | Finale: 27 April 2010 | Tuesdays, 20h30