The Hardacres returns to 5 this spring as first‑look images and casting details are revealed for series 2
Until then, series 1 is still available to stream on 5
What is Hardacres and who stars
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).
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 picture above shows Mary Hardacre (Clarie Cooper), Joe Hardacre (Adam Little), Liza Hardacre (Shannon Lavelle), Ma (Julie Graham), Sam Hardacre (Liam McMahon), Harry Hardacre (Zak Ford-Williams).
What about those first look pictures
Mary Hardacre (Claire Cooper) with bicycle, Sam Hardacre (Liam McMahon) below. Centre is Michele Dotrice as Lady Imelda Hansen and right is Edward Mitchell as Arthur Lewis.
And what is it about
From the press release:
Following the smash-hit first series, which followed the Hardacre family as they navigated their rise from poverty to staggering wealth and the unexpected twists and turns that money brought, series 2 finds the Hardacre family on the brink of transformation in 1895, as modernity sweeps into Hardacre Hall with electricity and shifting loyalties. Mary and Sam embrace wealth and opportunity, but their children begin forging identities that challenge expectations.
Mary champions adult education for dock workers, while Sam expands the family business amid a looming recession, uncertain if Joe is ready to succeed him. Determined to prove himself, Joe’s impulsive choices threaten his future. Liza recovering from romantic disappointment, is swept up by a chance encounter with a handsome stranger, while Harry’s plans to abandon school are transformed by an inspiring new tutor. Ma forms an unexpected bond but as some relationships blossom, others are strained. As tensions rise, Lady Imelda Hansen arrives at the Fitzherbert’s home with a dangerous agenda, forcing the Hardacres to unite or risk losing everything.
We’ll bring a trailer for series 2 when we have it.