The series follows the lives of both the family and the servants in the London townhouse at 165 Eaton Place. Richard Bellamy, the head of the household, is a member of Parliament, and his wife a member of the titled aristocracy. Belowstairs, Hudson, the Scottish butler directs and guides the other servants about their tasks and (sometimes) their proper place. Real-life events from 1903-1930 are incorporated into the stories of the Bellamy household.

Stavanger is no longer a small fishing town on the West Coast, priding itself on titles like "oil capital" and "culture capital." People are wealthier, the cars more expensive and the houses more luxurious. Old wooden houses are demolished to give way to large residential complexes and gigantic food festivals. French acrobats dominate cultural life and behind it all, the global financial crisis is looming. In the middle of this materialistic everyday reality is Jonny Kristiansen, an up and coming 25 year old broker. Hungry for money and success, he is pulled into an unscrupulous financial world with cigars, champagne and exclusive escort girls. Jonny takes off and aims at the top of the finance pyramid with his goal to become the best, richest and most powerful at whatever cost.