The Hardacres

The Hardacres is a 2024 period drama television series set in Yorkshire, produced in Ireland for Channel 5, adapted from the novel series by C. L. Skelton.
In July 2025, it was renewed for a second series.

Synopsis

Beginning in Yorkshire in the 1890s, the series is a rags-to-riches tale of a working-class family.

Cast

Claire Cooper as Mary Hardacre
Liam McMahon as Sam Hardacre
Adam Little as Joe Hardacre
Shannon Lavelle as Liza Hardacre
Zak Ford-Williams as Harry Hardacre
Julie Graham as Ma Hardacre
Holly Sturton as Adella Fitzherbert
Cathy Belton as Emma Fitzherbert
Owen Roe as George Fitzherbert
Ingrid Craigie as Mrs Dryden
Siobhan O'Kelly as Lena
Sarah Agha as Betsy
Taheen Modak as Saunders
David O'Reilly as Lil Pete
Shane Toner as Lewis

Production

The six-part series adaptation is from Playground Entertainment and helmed by Amy Roberts and Loren McLaughlan. Also writing episodes are Emma Reeves and Liz Lake, while Roberts and McLaughlan are executive producers. Rachel Carey is lead director. Kieron J. Walsh is also slated to direct Episodes 4–6. Alex Jones is producer and it is co-produced by Jackie Larkin.

Filming

Filming started in Dublin and County Wicklow in Ireland, in 2023. Filming lasted for four months into February 2024.

Casting

Announced as leading the cast are Claire Cooper and Liam McMahon as Mary and Sam Hardacre, with their children Joe, Liza, and Harry, played by Adam Little, Shannon Lavelle and Zak Ford-Williams. Mary's mother is played by Julie Graham.

Broadcast

The series was first broadcast on Channel 5 in the UK on 7 October 2024.

Reception

Carol Midgely in The Times described the series as "untaxing, escapist fare". Anita Singh in The Daily Telegraph described it as "an old-fashioned taste of how TV used to be”.