The series was based around conflict within the Hammond family over the direction of the family firm, a London-based road haulage business called Hammond Transport Services, after the death of patriarch Robert Hammond. The eldest son, Edward (played by Glyn Owen during the first series and by Patrick O Connell for the remainder of the show s run), prepares to take over the running of the business, only to find that his father has left equal shares to his two other sons, Brian (Richard Easton), a dull accountant and David (Robin Chadwick), a young graduate - and to his mistress and secretary Jennifer Kingsley (Jennifer Wilson). Storylines throughout the series dealt with plans to expand the business into an international concern, coupled with more family-oriented plots as Edward and Jennifer fall in love and marry. Created by Gerard Glaister and N. J. Crisp, Glaister was also the producer of the series, and fulfilled the same role on Colditz and later Secret Army for the BBC. The Brothers became a highly popular Sunday night favourite with BBC viewers throughout its run.