The Hardacres: Episode 2 recap

The Hardacres is a new period drama series that airs on Channel 5. 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 19th century Yorkshire.

What is it about?

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 second episode of The Hardacres – which aired on Channel 5 on October 14th, 2024:

Episode Two

The Hardacres soon realise that living on a grand country estate will be quite an adjustment, and with the portrait of the previous owners looming over them, they have no idea where to start. They certainly won’t find an ally in the snooty housekeeper, Mrs Dryden, who finds the Hardacres’ presence in the house a personal affront. Mary has no idea about running a big house, Sam can’t imagine what a life of leisure looks like, and the life of a lady certainly doesn’t seem like a natural fit for Liza. Ma and Joe take to their new life much more easily, though Joe isn’t impressed by the rules of a gentleman. For Harry, this world looks much brighter, with his dreams of a proper education now within reach.

 

When the family meet their aristocratic neighbour, Lord George Fitzherbert – thanks to the antics of Ma’s dog, Tinny – Mary is excited to make new friends, and she invites the Fitzherberts to a dinner party at the new ‘Hardacre Hall’. The Hardacres get kitted up in clothes more befitting of their new station, and soon they at least look the part. But Sam struggles to say goodbye to the world of the docks, and though he reluctantly hands over the reins of the herring business to Saunders, he leaps at the opportunity to best Shaw.

The evening of the dinner party finally arrives, and George’s icy wife, Lady Emma Fitzherbert, and minxy daughter, Lady Adella are full of questions. Their suspicions of their new neighbour’s pedigree make Mary feel insecure.  Sam does his best to smooth things over but Liza and Ma don’t see any point in pretending to be anything they’re not. After a series of unwitting faux pas, an unexpected announcement lands and sets the cat amongst the pigeons.

Where can we watch it?

The series airs weekly on Mondays at 9pm on Channel 5, as of 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.