CBS hoped that Beacon Hill would capitalized on the popularity of the PBS's British import, Upstairs, Downstairs.
The show was set in Boston in the early 1920's and the storylines revolved around the wealthy Lassiter family and the members of their household staff. However, after a highly rated 2 hour premiere, the show began to steadily decline in the rating and CBS was forced to cancel the expensively produced periodic drama after only 11 episodes.