Recap of The Hardacres: Episode 1
The Hardacres is an exciting new period drama from Playground, the award-winning production company behind the internationally acclaimed hit series All Creatures Great and Small that now airs on Channel 5. The series is based on CL Skelton’s best-selling novels ‘The Hardacre Family Saga Books 1 & 2’.
It is a stirring success story that follows the lives, loves and fortunes of the erstwhile impoverished Hardacre family, as they move from life on the docks to the splendour of country estate life in late 19thcentury Yorkshire.
After a freak accident leaves the family in financial dire straits, the Hardacres devise a bold business plan which miraculously transforms their wildest dreams into reality. Suddenly thrust into the world of the upper classes, they quickly have to contend with snobbery from aristocrats and servants alike. The family slowly realise that real class isn’t a birthright, rather an innate quaility that they have possessed all along.
A bold, gutsy ensemble family drama full of heart, The Hardacres places an ordinary family in an extraordinary position and explores the age-old question – can money ever buy true happiness?
Watch the trailer here:
Here’s a plot recap for the opening episode of The Hardacres – which aired on Channel 5 on October 7th, 2024:
Episode One
In a small Victorian fishing village on the coast of Yorkshire, we meet the working-class Hardacre family: easy-going Sam and eldest son Joe are dockers, whilst his fiery wife Mary, rebellious daughter Liza and formidable mother-in-law Ma are fish gutties. Their youngest son, Harry is the brightest of the bunch. He has cerebral palsy and still attends school. Despite the relentless graft of dock work, made only harder by their odious boss Mr. Shaw, the Hardacres are the heart of a loyal and decent community, surrounded by friends with indomitable spirits.
But after an unfortunate accident befalls Sam, the family lose their jobs at the docks and must race to find work elsewhere– or else end up on the street. Mary, Ma and Liza venture to the gilded halls of country estate Thornton Hall in search of work, but are met with judgement and doors slammed in their faces. Ma leads Liza down a risky path, much to her mother’s chagrin, but Liza soon finds that the smuggling life isn’t as romantic as it sounded! Meanwhile, Joe is wracked with guilt for a decision made on the docks.
Faced with destitution, resourceful Mary comes up with a novel business idea and the family manage to turn their fortunes around. The Hardacres’ new business prospers and thanks to the financial advice of the charming Mr Saunders, they make what turns out to be a very lucky investment. The family find themselves rich beyond their wildest dreams with the chance to move into one of the finest houses in the county. But are they ready to leave the docks and their community behind?
Where can we watch it?
The series airs weekly on Mondays at 9pm on Channel 5, starting 7th October. Also available to stream in the UK on the My 5 player.
CL Skelton’s The Hardacre Saga books are available on Amazon.