Throughout its five-season run, Keeping Up Appearances gave audiences a cast of unforgettable characters, from the ever-pretentious Hyacinth Bucket to her long-suffering husband Richard and the chaotic, working-class duo of Onslow and Daisy. But one character who is often overlooked—or unfairly criticized—is Emmet Hawksworth, played by David Griffin.

Some critics argue that Griffin’s portrayal of Emmet lacked English charm, but this perspective misses the subtle brilliance of his performance. Emmet was not meant to be a suave, aristocratic figure like a James Bond-type Englishman, but rather a relatable, exhausted man who found himself trapped in Hyacinth’s web.

In reality, David Griffin brought a unique and essential charm to the show, playing Emmet as a believably frustrated but refined gentleman, whose presence added depth, humor, and balance to the series.

From the moment Emmet was introduced, he served as a perfect counterpart to Hyacinth’s delusions of grandeur.

• He was a talented musician, with a love for the arts—something that gave him an air of cultured refinement.
• He was the brother of Elizabeth, Hyacinth’s timid and nervous neighbor, which meant he was forced into repeated, unwanted encounters with the Bucket household.
• He quickly became Hyacinth’s next victim, as she became convinced that he enjoyed her singing and secretly admired her talent—a completely absurd idea, considering his obvious terror at the thought of hearing her perform.

While some may say that David Griffin didn’t bring enough English charm, his portrayal of Emmet was actually one of the most naturally English aspects of the entire show. He embodied the classic British sensibility of quiet endurance, sarcastic wit, and internal suffering hidden behind polite smiles—a form of humor that has defined British comedy for generations.

Unlike Richard, who had years of practice enduring Hyacinth’s behavior, Emmet was thrown into the chaos with no preparation. This allowed David Griffin to showcase a more raw and reactive kind of humor, which made his suffering hilariously relatable.

• His wide-eyed panic whenever Hyacinth appeared was comedy gold.
• His dramatic attempts to hide—whether it was ducking behind curtains or pretending not to hear her—were always perfectly timed.
• His sarcastic, under-the-breath mutterings, usually spoken with just enough exasperation to be heard by Elizabeth but not Hyacinth, made for some of the funniest dialogue exchanges in the show.

Griffin didn’t need to be overly expressive or eccentric—his subtle performances, sighs of resignation, and perfectly placed eye-rolls were what made Emmet’s character so funny and charming in a uniquely English way.

One of the reasons Emmet stood out was because he never fully lost his composure.

• Even when frustrated to his limit by Hyacinth, he never became rude or unkind—a true mark of British class.
• He handled the madness with quiet dignity, trying (and often failing) to outmaneuver Hyacinth’s advances.
• Despite his suffering, he remained a gentleman, never resorting to crude humor or exaggerated outbursts.

This restrained frustration made him even funnier, as the audience could see his inner turmoil while he tried to remain polite and proper.

One of the most underrated aspects of Emmet’s character was his genuine affection for his sister, Elizabeth.

• Their sibling dynamic was realistic and endearing, filled with playful teasing but also genuine care.
• Elizabeth, who was constantly nervous and on edge around Hyacinth, found comfort in Emmet’s presence, as he was the only one who truly understood what she went through.
• Their shared exasperation at Hyacinth’s antics created some of the best comedic moments in the show.

David Griffin played Emmet as both a protective brother and a sarcastic companion, giving their scenes together a sense of warmth that added depth to the humor.

Perhaps the funniest running gag involving Emmet was Hyacinth’s relentless belief that he admired her singing and wanted to perform with her.

• Every time Hyacinth opened her mouth to sing, Emmet visibly winced—a simple but brilliant comedic choice by Griffin.
• His desperate attempts to avoid musical collaborations with her—including trying to fake enthusiasm for other women just to throw Hyacinth off—were laugh-out-loud funny.
• His talent as a real musician made the joke even stronger, as it was painfully obvious how much he hated Hyacinth’s voice but was too polite to say so.

This subplot created some of the most iconic and rewatchable moments in Keeping Up Appearances.

Hyacinth needed characters who could contrast her personality, and Emmet was one of the best at providing this balance.

• While Richard was passive and worn down, Emmet was actively resistant, making his suffering feel fresh and different from Richard’s plight.
• Unlike Onslow, who openly mocked Hyacinth, Emmet tried to escape and avoid confrontation, which often led to funnier and more awkward situations.
• His presence gave the show an added level of realism, as his reactions mirrored how most normal people would respond to someone like Hyacinth.

Without Emmet, Keeping Up Appearances would have lost an important dynamic. He played a vital role in keeping the show’s humor varied, fresh, and consistently entertaining.

While some may argue that David Griffin didn’t bring enough English charm to Emmet, the truth is his portrayal was quietly brilliant.

He didn’t need to be flashy or overly expressive—his performance was a masterclass in subtle British humor, filled with sarcasm, exasperation, and gentlemanly endurance.

• His reluctant suffering made for some of the best comedic moments.
• His relationship with Elizabeth added warmth and depth to the series.
• His attempts to escape Hyacinth’s obsession were endlessly entertaining.

Far from being a forgettable character, Emmet was one of the key ingredients that made Keeping Up Appearances a classic. His charm was not loud or exaggerated, but natural and understated—which, in many ways, made him the most authentically British character of them all.