The Hardacres: Episode 3 recap

The Hardacres is a new period drama from Playground, the production company behind the internationally acclaimed hit series All Creatures Great and Small which has recently aired on Channel 5. The series is based on CL Skelton’s best-selling novels ‘The Hardacre Family Saga Books 1 & 2’.

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 21st, 2024:

Episode Three

Sam is hopeful that his latest venture on the docks will not only help his old friends but also give Joe some much-needed purpose. Saunders laments Sam’s impulsive purchase, especially upon discovering the poor state of the business and that it is encumbered by a controlling Board. Nevertheless, Sam steams ahead, and makes Joe a manager, along with old pal, Fred. Joe struggles to get to grips with his new responsibilities, and is jealous of Fred, feeling very much in his shadow. Joe’s temper eventually gets the better of him, leading to a poor decision that will plague his conscience.

Mary and Sam mask their nerves as Harry sets off to a prestigious boarding school, but Mary quickly finds distraction in a surprising proposition from Lady Emma and Adella. Mary is swept up into a whirl of preparations for her first real society party, with Liza reluctantly roped into providing the musical entertainment, alongside Adella. It’s hard to say who is more unimpressed out of the two of them, but an unlikely friendship begins to form, in spite of their poor first impressions of each other. Ma, meanwhile, has a party of her own to host, and sparks begin to fly between her and the handsome groundskeeper, Victor.

Despite Mary’s careful preparations under Emma’s watchful eye, and the moral support of old friends Lena and Betsy from the docks, the tea party doesn’t go to plan. Liza resents being paraded in front of the society ladies and decides to bring a bit of the docks spirit to the party with a bawdy song much to her mother’s disgust. Tensions below stairs lead to a disaster in the kitchen, forcing Mary to think quickly and save the day with a uniquely Hardacre plan…

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.