New rags-to-riches period drama The Hardacres on Channel 5

The Hardacre's Mary and Sam sat at the front of the horse and cart, Ma, Joe, Harry and Liza sat at the back

by Arabella Horspool |
Updated on

If you're looking for an easy-to-watch period drama this Autumn, The Hardacres on Channel 5 is a great contender. Based on the book by C.L Skelton, which was first published in 1976, the show follows the rise of a working-class family from Yorkshire in the 1890s.

The Hardacres book

Book cover of Hardacre by CL Skelton (dark pink background with a woman dressed in a frilly cream hat and dress, holding a bouquet of flowers. She has ginger hair and pink lipstick and an earring. Her eyes are covered by her hat.Amazon
Price: £3.99

The Hardacres TV series is based on this book by C.L. Skelton. First published in 1976, it became a number-one international bestseller.

What is The Hardacres about?

Described by Channel 5 as a "Family saga about the rags-to riches lives of a working-class family in 1890s Yorkshire.", the series follows the Hardacres as they start a new business venture and work their way up the ranks.

Mary Hardacre (Claire Cooper) ©Channel 5

The Hardacres cast

The Hardacre family comprises husband and wife Mary (Claire Cooper) and Sam (Liam MacMahon), their three children Joe, Harry and Liza and Sam's mother Ma.

• Claire Cooper (Hollyoaks, Six Wives with Lucy Worsley) - Mary Hardacre
• Liam MacMahon (Hunger and The Secret) - Sam Hardacre
• Julie Graham (Bletchley Circle, Benidorm)- Ma Hardacre
• Adam Little (Ackley Bridge, Years and Years) - Joe Hardacre
• Zac Ford-Williams (Better, A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story) - Harry Hardacre
• Shannon Lavelle (first TV role, Riot Women)- Liza Hardacre
• Holly Sturton (Lies We Tell) - Adella Fitzherbert
• Cathy Belton (Miss Scarlet and the Duke, Hidden Assets) - Ella Fitzherbert
• Taheen Modak (The Bay, Van Der Valk) - Saunders
• Ingrid Craigie (Blood, You Are Not My Mother) - Mrs. Dryden
• Sarah Agha (The Holy Land and Us - Our Untold Stories) - Betsy

The Hardacre family ©Channel 5

The Hardacres release date

The Hardacres TV series will begin on Monday 7th October 2024 at 9pm on Channel 5. You can also catch up on The Hardacres on My5.

Ma Hardarce (Julie Graham) ©Channel 5

The Hardacres trailer

How many episode of The Hardacres is there?

There will be six episodes of The Hardacres in total. No news of a second series has been announced yet.

Where is The Hardacres filmed?

Filming took place in Dublin and Count Wicklow in Ireland, which ran in the winter for four months until February 2024.

Arabella Horspool is a Commercial Content Writer for Yours at Bauer Media. She's a bookworm who is passionate about TV, film and theatre. She enjoys cooking, scrapbooking, playing board games and spending time with her pet dogs, tortoise and chickens.

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