Episode 1

In spring of 1905 in England, Margaret Schlegel is at home with her dear but overbearing Aunt Juley and her hypochondriac brother Tibby when she receives a letter from her younger sister Helen, currently visiting the Wilcox family at their country home, Howards End. On hearing that Helen has fallen for the youngest Wilcox son, Paul, Aunt Juley is swiftly dispatched to Howards End to represent the Schlegel family - slightly prematurely as the engagement does not come to pass. Leaving the social awkwardness of the Wilcox encounter behind them, the Schlegels attend a concert in London. During the performance Helen sits next to Leonard Bast, a struggling young bank clerk, and inadvertently leaves the concert with his umbrella. On discovering the mix-up, Margaret gives her card to Bast and implores him to stay for tea with them at their Wickham Place home, but he quickly becomes uncomfortable in their company and leaves. In a twist of fate, the Wilcoxes move to London and take a flat around the corner from the Schlegels, leading Margaret to strike up a friendship with the enigmatic but ailing Mrs Wilcox.