The Hardacres | Series 2 Preview (5)

Inspired by the bestselling novels by CL Skelton, The Hardacres stars Claire Cooper (The Continental, The Peripheral) and Liam McMahon (Hunger, Warrior Nun) as Mary and Sam Hardacre, alongside Julie Graham (The City Is Ours, Time) as Mary’s mother, Ma. Their children Joe, Liza and Harry are played by Adam Little (Ackley Bridge, Coronation Street), Shannon Lavelle (Riot Women) and Zak Ford‑Williams (Bridgerton, Better).

Welcome back to the warm-hearted, rags to riches family saga. It’s 1895, and modernity is arriving at Hardacre Hall, bringing with it electricity, new ideas and new relationships.

Hungry for new challenges, Mary champions adult education, while amid a looming recession Sam takes steps to expand the family business, not least while wondering if Joe is truly ready to take the reins.

A chance encounter starts an intense romance for Liza, Harry’s passion for education is reignited with the help of a new tutor, and Joe embraces married life with Betsy. However, their biggest challenge is from a formidable new arrival, Lady Imelda Hansen – the mother of their neighbour Emma.

In the first episode, electricity arrives at Hardacre Hall – and it’s not the only sign of changing times as Callum helps Mary buy several bikes, an exciting new mode of transport.

Both Sam and Mary are eager for new challenges, and as the pressures of recessions mount, Sam convinces Mary that the family business should expand. By converting their fish shops to general stores, he hopes to increase profits and help their workers buy more affordable produce. Sam reluctantly promotes Joe to lead the venture. After 18 months stuck in menial roles, Joe is desperate for the opportunity to prove himself, not least for the sake of Betsy and baby Samuel, as he strives to be a good husband and father.

When a newly promoted Maggie messes up a food order, Mary realises she needs help and decides to set up some adult education classes in the village. Meanwhile, after returning from a disastrous London season with Adella, Emma is horrified to learn that her mother Lady Imelda is paying them a visit.

Ma has struck up an unexpected friendship with George united by a common interest in rhubarb. Harry announces that he’s done with school and wants to abandon education altogether.

Liza, weary after a summer plagued by unsuitable suitors and fortune hunters, welcomes the return of her friend and neighbour Adella. Both are convinced they will remain single. That is until Liza has a chance encounter with a mysterious soldier at the Lucky Sailor pub.

Hoping to persuade her mother to leave, Emma hosts a garden party, with Imelda insisting the Hardacres be invited. Mary reluctantly attends with the rest of the family. Imelda appears perfectly charming, even encouraging Emma and Mary to make their peace. But once they are gone, Imelda reveals her true feelings to Emma about the Hardacres.

The cast also includes Holly Sturton (Lies We Tell, The School for Good and Evil), Cathy Belton (Hidden Assets, Philomena) and Owen Roe (Sherlock, Daughter) as Lady Adella, Lady Emma and Lord George Fitzherbert, with Ingrid Craigie (Blood, Blackshore) as Mrs Dryden, Sarah Agha as Betsy Hardacre (Layla, The Badlands), and Taheen Modak (The Bay) as Callum Saunders.

New faces joining the cast for series 2 include Michele Dotrice (A Very English Scandal) as Lady Imelda Hansen, the formidable mother of Lady Emma Fitzherbert, Niall McNamee (Saipan, Bad Sisters) as Edward Blackwood, and Edward Mitchell (Zack Snyder’s Justice League) as Arthur Lewis. 

The Hardacres begins Thursday 14th May at 9pm on 5.