The Hardacres
British television series
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Hardacres is a 2024 period drama television series set in Yorkshire, produced in Ireland for Channel 5 and adapted from the novel series by C. L. Skelton. the series was developed by Amy Roberts and Loren McLaughlan.
Loren McLaughlan
Loren McLaughlan
Emma Reeves
Liz Lake
| 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 Stephen Bradley |
| Starring | Claire Cooper Liam McMahon |
| Composer | Stephen McKeon |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language | English |
| No. of series | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 12[1] |
| Production | |
| Executive producers | Amy Roberts Loren McLaughlan Colin Callender |
| Producer | Alex Jones |
| Cinematography | JJ Rolfe Arthur Mulhern |
| Running time | 45-47 minutes |
| Production companies |
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| Original release | |
| Network | Channel 5 (UK) |
| Release | 7 October 2024 – present |
In July 2025, it was renewed for a second series[2][3]. It premiered on May 14 2026 [4][5].
Synopsis
Cast
The Hardacre Family
- Claire Cooper as Mary Hardacre, Sam's wife and mother of the Hardacre children
- Liam McMahon as Sam Hardacre, The patriarch of the family and the owner of the fishing company Hardacre & Son
- Adam Little as Joe Hardacre, the eldest son, who works alongside his father in the family business
- Shannon Lavelle as Liza Hardacre, the daughter who struggles to adapt to her family's new place in high society
- Zak Ford-Williams as Harry Hardacre, The youngest son, who dreams of gaining admission to the University of Oxford
- Julie Graham as Ma Hardacre, The strong-willed grandmother who never forgets the family's humble roots
The Fitzherbert Family
- Holly Sturton as Adella Fitzherbert, daughter of the Fitzherbert family and Liza Hardacre's best friend.
- Cathy Belton as Emma Fitzherbert, George's wife and an enemy of the Hardacre family.
- Owen Roe as George Fitzherbert, Head of the Fitzherbert family and neighbour of the Hardacre family.
- Michele Dotrice as Lady Imelda Hansen (season 2), mother of Emma Fitzherbert and a strong opponent to the Hardacre family
Recurring
- Ingrid Craigie as Mrs Dryden, housekeeper of Hardacre Hall
- Mark Doherty as Beesley, butler and main house manager of Hardacre Hall.
- Taheen Modak as Saunders, the family banker and friend of the Hardacres
- Sarah Agha as Betsy, fish cleaner who is in love with Joe Hardacre
- Ella Maria Carmen as Maggie, A maid working at Hardacre Hall
- Jack Weise as Jack (season 1; guest season 2), A fisherman who works for Sam
- Chris McHallem as Dr. Mason (season 1; guest season 2), the town doctor
- Siobhan O'Kelly as Lena (season 1), fish cleaner and Betsy’s mother
- Connor Byrne as Victor Ward (season 1), groundskeeper of Hardacre Hall
- Conor Deane as Fred Holdsworth (season 1), Sam’s fisherman friend and business partner
- David Pearse as Mr. Shaw (season 1), the fish company boss where the Hardacres used to work
- David O'Reilly as Little Pete (season 1), a fisherman and worker in the village
- Edward Mitchell as Arthur Lewis (season 2) , Harry Hardacre’s new tutor
- Niall McNamee as Edward Blackwood (season 2), Liza Hardacre’s love interest
- Paul Tylak as Bartholomew Balfour (season 2), member of the National Vigilance Association who wants to close Mary’s school.
Guest
- Rosaleen Linehan as Dutchess of Harrogate (season 1)
Episodes
Series 1 (2024)
| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | U.K. viewers (millions) [8][9] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "1.1" | Rachel Carey | Amy Roberts & Loren Mclaughlan | 7 October 2024 | 2.76 | |
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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 entire family lose their income and face being rendered homeless. Having heard that the Thornton Hall estate is seeking staff, Mary goes there to ask for work, but is turned away.[10] | ||||||
| 2 | "1.2" | Rachel Carey | Amy Roberts & Loren Mclaughlan | 13 October 2024 | 2.53 | |
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With no other options, Mary undertakes to sell fried herring at the races. After a setback, the stand begins to earn well. With money to spare, they invest, and end up making a fortune. Having heard that Thornton Hall is being sold, the Hardacres buy it and move in, to the chagrin of the head housekeeper, Mrs. Dryden. | ||||||
| 3 | "1.3" | Rachel Carey | Emma Reeves | 21 October 2024 | 2.39 | |
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Liza tries to make amends following her scene at the tea and apologizes to Adella for getting her into trouble. Adella is only too happy to accept Liza's apology especially, as it comes with a request: to teach Liza on how to be a 'proper' lady.[11] | ||||||
| 4 | "1.4" | Kieron J. Walsh | Liz Lake | 28 October 2024 | 2.27 | |
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In the aftermath of the soiree, Mary finds herself snubbed by the charity circle, and Joe turns to Betsy who has long had feelings for him, for comfort. But when news of Adella's engagement causes Joe to doubt the sincerity of his feelings for Betsy, he follows Sam's advice to break up with her, 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 outmaneuvered when the board gives him an ultimatum that forces him to go back on his word to the dock workers he had set out to protect. Hating to see his father brought low, Joe makes a difficult decision.[12] | ||||||
| 5 | "1.5" | Kieron J. Walsh | Amy Roberts & Loren Mclaughlan | 4 November 2024 | 2.19 | |
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Betsy confesses to Lena that she's pregnant, and they both confront the Hardacres, who declare that Joe and Betsy shall marry. Her mother having refused to break off her engagement to Hugo, Adella appeals to Joe to accompany her to America. Having discovered what Mrs. Dryden thinks of the Hardacres, Mary fires her. | ||||||
| 6 | "1.6" | Kieron J. Walsh | Amy Roberts & Loren Mclaughlan | 11 November 2024 | 2.35 | |
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After Liza faints from the effects of weight loss pills that Adella gave her, Mary finds the confidence to go to the Fitzherberts' and confronts Emma. Meanwhile Sam's plan pays off at the docks and the family and the workers enjoy a moment of victory. 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'd been wrong about them and agrees to oversee Joe and Betsy's wedding.[13] | ||||||
Series 2 (2026)
| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | U.K. viewers (millions) [14] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | "2.1" | Rachel Carey | Cara Loftus, Loren Mclaughlan & Amy Roberts | 14 May 2026 | 1.42 | |
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It's 1895, and modernity - in the form of electricity and bicycles - appears at Hardacre Hall, as well as formidable new arrival, Lady Imelda Hansen, the mother of neighbour Emma. | ||||||
| 8 | "2.2" | Rachel Carey | Sarah-Louise Hawkins, Loren Mclaughlan & Amy Roberts | 21 May 2026 | 1.04 | |
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Adella becomes increasingly resentful of Liza and plays a cruel prank on her. Imelda seeks to get to know Mary and Ma better and, spotting the gambler in Ma, introduces her to the game of bridge. | ||||||
| 9 | "2.3" | Rachel Carey | Loren Mclaughlan, Amy Roberts & C.L. Skelton | 28 May 2026 | 1.02 | |
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With Sam seriously ill, Mary places the house into quarantine. Imelda sends Emma to help with lessons. Adella spies a romantic moment between Liza and Edward in the woods, leaving her feeling betrayed. | ||||||
| 10 | "2.4" | Stephen Bradley | Loren Mclaughlan, Amy Roberts & C.L. Skelton | 4 June 2026 | 1.09 | |
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In gratitude, the Hardacres throw a servants' ball where the staff are guests, waited on by the family. An announcement delights at the party, but a cutting remark leaves Adella hurt. | ||||||
| 11 | "2.5" | Stephen Bradley | Loren Mclaughlan, Amy Roberts & C.L. Skelton | 11 June 2026 | TBD | |
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Imelda discovers Adella with Harry's incriminating letter. Joe fears he may have made a costly mistake. Imelda invites Ma to partner with her for an important bridge match. | ||||||
| 12 | "2.6" | Stephen Bradley | Loren Mclaughlan, Amy Roberts & C.L. Skelton | 18 June 2026 | TBD | |
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The Hardacres are horrified when it appears Ma has bet the house and lost. Harry's university news is overshadowed by a new threat from Imelda. Mary receives support from an unlikely ally. | ||||||
Production
The six-part series adaptation is from Playground Entertainment and helmed by Amy Roberts and Loren McLaughlan.[15] Also writing episodes are Emma Reeves and Liz Lake, while Roberts and McLaughlan are executive producers. Rachel Carey is lead director.[16] Kieron J. Walsh is also slated to direct Episodes 4–6. Alex Jones is producer and it is co-produced by Jackie Larkin.[17]
Filming
Filming started in Dublin and County Wicklow in Ireland, in 2023.[18][19] One of the main settings, Hardacre Hall, is actually Cabinteely House in Dublin, while other scenes were shot at places like Powerscourt Estate and Bray Harbour.[20] Filming lasted for four months into February 2024.[21]Filming for the second season officially began in September 2025[22]
Casting
Announced 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.[23] In the second series, the show will introduce to Michele Dotrice as Lady Imelda Hansen, Niall McNamee as Edward Blackwood and Edward Mitchell as Arthur Lewis.[24]
Authenticity
For the second season, Rachel Carey said that historical accuracy was very important during filming. She explained that she wanted the series to feel relevant to the present while still respecting the past, and that she did not want to treat history lightly.[25][26]Because of this, some real elements of the time are included in the show, such as the effects of the Russian flu, news about the Oscar Wilde scandal, the presence of the National Vigilance Association, and the use of new inventions like the Ouija board and safety bicycles.
Broadcast
Reception
Carol Midgely in The Times described the series as "untaxing, escapist fare".[31] Anita Singh in The Daily Telegraph described it as "an old-fashioned taste of how TV used to be”.[32]On Metacritic, the first season has a score of 58 out of 100 based on four critic reviews, suggesting “mixed or average” reception.[33]