The Hardacres is a 2024 British period drama television series for Channel 5, adapted from the novel series by C. L. Skelton.
| The Hardacres | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | Drama |
| Created by | Amy Roberts Loren McLaughlan |
| Based on | The Hardacre (series) by C. L. Skelton |
| Written by | Amy Roberts Loren McLaughlan Emma Reeves Liz Lake |
| Directed by | Rachel Carey Kieron J. Walsh |
| Starring | Claire Cooper Liam McMahon |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language | English |
| No. of series | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 6[1] |
| Production | |
| Executive producers | Amy Roberts Loren McLaughlan |
| Producer | Alex Jones |
| Production companies |
|
| Original release | |
| Network | Channel 5 (UK) |
| Release | 7 October 2024 – present |
Synopsis
editBeginning in Yorkshire in the 1890s, the series is a rags-to-riches tale of a working-class family.[2]
Cast
edit- Claire Cooper as Mary Hardacre
- Liam McMahon as Sam Hardacre
- Adam Little as Joe Hardacre
- Shannon Lavelle as Liza Hardacre
- Zak Ford-Williams as Harry Hardacre
- Julie Graham as Ma Hardacre
- Holly Sturton as Adella Fitzherbert
- Cathy Belton as Emma Fitzherbert
- Owen Roe as George Fitzherbert
- Ingrid Craigie as Mrs Dryden
- Siobhan O'Kelly as Lena
- Sarah Agha as Betsy
- Taheen Modak as Saunders
- Shane Toner as Lewis
Production
editThe six-part series adaptation is from Playground Entertainment and helmed by Amy Roberts and Loren McLaughlan.[3] Also writing episodes are Emma Reeves and Liz Lake, while Roberts and McLaughlan are executive producers. Rachel Carey is lead director.[4] Kieron J. Walsh is also slated to direct Episodes 4–6. Alex Jones is producer and it is co-produced by Jackie Larkin.[5]
Filming
editFilming started in Dublin and County Wicklow in Ireland, in 2023.[6] Filming lasted for four months into February 2024.[7]
Casting
editAnnounced as leading the cast are Claire Cooper and Liam McMahon as Mary and Sam Hardacre, with their children Joe, Liza, and Harry, played by Adam Little, Shannon Lavelle and Zak Ford-Williams. Mary's mother is played by Julie Graham.[8]
Episodes
edit| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | U.K. viewers (millions) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "1.1" | Rachel Carey | Amy Roberts & Loren Mclaughlan | 7 October 2024 | N/A | |
|
Sam (Liam McMahon) and his eldest son Joe (Adam Little) are dockworkers, while Sam's wife Mary (Claire Cooper) and mother-in-law Ma (Julie Graham) gut fish. When Sam suffers an accident, the whole family lose their jobs and face being made homeless.[9] | ||||||
| 2 | "1.2" | Rachel Carey | Amy Roberts & Loren Mclaughlan | 13 October 2024 | N/A | |
| 3 | "1.3" | Rachel Carey | Emma Reeves | 21 October 2024 | N/A | |
|
Liza tries to make amends following her scene at the tea party last week and apologizes to Adella for getting her into trouble. Adella is only to happy to accept Liza's apology especially as it comes with a request. To teach Liza on how to be a 'proper' lady.[10] | ||||||
| 4 | "1.4" | Kieron J. Walsh | Liz Lake | 28 October 2024 | N/A | |
|
In the aftermath of the soiree, Mary finds herself snubbed by all her new friends and Joe turns to Betsy who has long had feelings for him, for comfort. But when news of Adela's engagement causes Joe to doubt the sincerity of his feelings he follows Sam's advice, leaving heartbreak in his wake. Sam meanwhile, rallies the dock workers and impresses them with his profitable introduction of clever efficiencies to the business. But he finds himself outmanoeuvred when the board gives him an ultimatum that forces him to go against the dock workers he had set out to protect. Hating to see his father brought low, Joe makes a difficult decision.[11] | ||||||
| 5 | "1.5" | Kieron J. Walsh | Amy Roberts & Loren Mclaughlan | 4 November 2024 | N/A | |
| 6 | "1.6" | Kieron J. Walsh | Amy Roberts & Loren Mclaughlan | TBA | TBD | |
|
After a heart to heart with Liza, Mary finds the confidence to go to the Fitzherberts' and confronts Emma. Adella appeals to her mother to call off the marriage to Lord Hugo, but when Emma refuses, she takes matters into her own hands. Meanwhile Sam's plan pays off at the docks and the family and the workers enjoy a moment of victory. However it is short lived as the family receives some shocking news. Harry returns home and Sam and Mary are pleased to hear how well he is doing at school. After seeing the family weather this latest storm, Mrs Dryden wonders if she may have been wrong about them and tries to put things right.[12] | ||||||
Broadcast
editThe series was first broadcast on Channel 5 in the UK on 7 October 2024.[13]
Reception
editCarol Midgely in The Times described the series as "untaxing, escapist fare".[14] Anita Singh in The Daily Telegraph described it as "an old-fashioned taste of how TV used to be”.[15]
References
edit- ^ "The Hardacres". BBFC. 10 September 2024.
- ^ "1890s Yorkshire drama 'The Hardacres' coming from 'All Creatures' makers". Britishperioddramas. 1 August 2023. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
- ^ Kanter, Jake (10 January 2023). "Paramount's Channel 5 Says Drama Fueling Ratings Growth & Record Profit As It Eyes New Series From 'All Creatures Great & Small' Producer". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
- ^ Smith, Stephanie (25 July 2023). "Makers of All Creatures Great and Small announce new Yorkshire saga TV series The Hardacres". Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
- ^ Chapman, Stephen (15 December 2023). "Casting announced for Channel 5's The Hardacres". Prolific North. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
- ^ Smith, Stephanie (14 December 2023). "The makers of All Creatures Great and Small announce cast of Yorkshire-set TV saga The Hardacres". Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
- ^ "The Hardacres". iftn.ie. 4 January 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
- ^ Creamer, Joe (14 December 2023). "Casting announced for C5's The Hardacres". Televisual. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
- ^ Gibraltar Chronicle newspaper TV Guide page; 07/10/2024; page 9
- ^ Gibraltar Chronicle newspaper TV Guide 28/10/2024; Page 9
- ^ Gibraltar Chronicle newspaper TV Guide; 03/11/2024; page 9
- ^ Gibraltar Chronicle newspaper TV Guide; 11/11/20254; page 9
- ^ Bull, Megan (19 August 2024). "5 upcoming Channel 5 dramas that look seriously good". Hello Magazine. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
- ^ Midgely, Carol (7 October 2024). "The Hardacres review — Downton-lite by the docks is an untaxing joy". The Times. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
- ^ Singh, Anita (7 October 2024). "The Hardacres, review: Channel 5's Victorian rags-to-riches tale is ideal cosy autumn TV". Retrieved 8 October 2024.