The Real Marigold Hotel

A group of famous faces travel to India to see if retiring in India would be better than retiring in England.

Cast:Tom Hollander , Susan George , Stephanie Beacham , Selina Scott , Britt Ekland , Paul Chuckle , Susie Blake , John Altman , Barbara Dickson , Duncan Bannatyne , Henry Blofeld , Zandra Rhodes , Miriam Margolyes , Sylvester McCoy , Wayne Sleep , Roy Walker , Rosemary Shrager , Bobby George

1Season 1

S1.E1 ∙ Episode #1.1

Tue, Jan 26, 2016

A group of celebrities travel to India to see whether they can have a more rewarding retirement there than in the UK. The group arrive at their new home in Jaipur and are initially unsettled by the realities of living in India: hectic roads, animals in the street, chickens killed to order and poor toilet facilities. The heat and hard work makes them consider whether they can do this alone or need to take advantage of the cheap staff costs to settle here. Miriam is constantly full of great one-liners and fun observations that colour everything with humour. Jaipur is full of hundreds of years of history, best seen in its impressive buildings, so the group head out to visit the jewel in Jaipur's crown, the 500-year-old Amer Fort. Their guide also offers to show them his local home, where they begin to understand the gulf between rich and poor and the impact of the caste system. They are also invited to take tea with Jaipur's royal family at the opulent Rambagh Palace, mixing with high society in the finest surroundings. Wayne makes the most of his wish to explore his spiritual side by attending the daily morning prayers and visiting the beautiful Galti Ji temple, which is home to a troop of monkeys. Rosemary, finding it hard to unwind from her normal hectic life, tries meditation for the first time and is surprised by the results. To end their first week, they throw a party with performances to meet their new neighbours as they start to feel more at home on the other side of the world.

2Season 1

S1.E2 ∙ Episode #1.2

Tue, Feb 2, 2016

The group start to settle into normal life in India, with Wayne and Bobby taking a trip to the barbers for a cut-throat shave, and Miriam and Patti making a visit to the local laundry woman to see how things are done Indian-style. Jan, who has a keen interest in astrology, attends a psychic guru and is astounded at his profound observations on her life. The group really take to yoga, learn some Hindi and take advantage of the cheap and impressive medical care. After undergoing some tests, both Miriam and Rosemary hear some news they didn't want to hear but needed to know. Their first big night out is to the swanky Paladio, popular with local ex-pats, where Wayne finds out about attitudes to gay people in India and Jan discovers how easy it would be for her as a single woman to move out here. To round their second week off, the group test out long-distance travel by taking a 150-mile trip to the jewel in India's crown, the Taj Mahal. Miriam, Rosemary and Wayne make the most of travelling by train, an unforgettable experience, while Roy, Patti and Jan take the chauffeur-driven car option. The Taj Mahal, the world's most impressive monument to love, makes the group reflective and its sheer beauty brings Miriam to tears.

3Season 1

S1.E3 ∙ Episode #1.3

Tue, Feb 9, 2016

The group take part in laughing yoga, with hilarious results. Then go in search of a cultural fix, finding it in the heart of Jaipur's largest slum which has been home to acrobats, magicians and puppeteers for centuries. They visit Varanasi, a hugely popular destination and one of the holiest Hindu cities in India. Hindus visit to be purified by the waters of the Ganges and to cremate their dead in the hope they have the best chance of reaching nirvana. Settling into local life, they attend Ganesh Chaturti festival, one of the highlights of the Hindu calendar and a riot of colour and noise, packed with people, floats and elephants. Bobby and Jan lead the group in a hunt for property. Bobby is keen to find somewhere to buy, while Jan falls in love with the idea of renting an apartment in a haveli amongst a local family. With one week left of their Indian adventure, what conclusions will they reach about the realities of retiring to the other side of the world?

1Season 4

S4.E1 ∙ Episode #4.1

Thu, Apr 30, 2020

Britt Ekland, Duncan Bannatyne, Dame Zandra Rhodes, Paul Chuckle, Henry Blofeld, John Altman, Susie Blake and Barbara Dickson arrive in Puducherry and settle into their new home.

2Season 4

S4.E2 ∙ Episode #4.2

Thu, May 14, 2020

The group travel to India's largest golden temple to explore Hinduism before taking a night train to Madurai to experience the sights and sounds of the Chithirai festival.

3Season 4

S4.E3 ∙ Episode #4.3

Thu, May 21, 2020

Susie celebrates her birthday with the group. The senior citizens visit Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu, where Henry revisits the cricket ground where he made his last overseas broadcast.

4Season 4

S4.E4 ∙ Episode #4.4

Thu, May 28, 2020

The group travel to Rishikesh in the foothills of the Himalayas. Susie and Barbara visit a Buddhist monastery, while Britt, Henry and Paul visit an alternative retirement option.

The Real Marigold Hotel

S1.E1 ∙ Episode #1.1

S1.E2 ∙ Episode #1.2

S1.E3 ∙ Episode #1.3

S2.E1 ∙ Episode #2.1

S2.E2 ∙ Episode #2.2

S2.E3 ∙ Episode #2.3

S2.E4 ∙ Episode #2.4

S3.E1 ∙ Episode #3.1

S3.E2 ∙ Episode #3.2

S3.E3 ∙ Episode #3.3

S3.E4 ∙ Episode #3.4

S4.E1 ∙ Episode #4.1

S4.E2 ∙ Episode #4.2

S4.E3 ∙ Episode #4.3

S4.E4 ∙ Episode #4.4