Harlots (TV series) explained

Image Alt:Series title over an image of legs spread open
Language:English
Num Series:3
Num Episodes:24
Location:London, England, Hertfordshire, England
Runtime:44–50 minutes
Company:Monumental Pictures

Harlots is a British period drama television series created by Alison Newman and Moira Buffini and inspired by The Covent Garden Ladies by British historian Hallie Rubenhold. The series focuses on Margaret Wells, who runs a brothel in 18th-century London and struggles to secure a better future for her daughters in an unpredictable environment.

The series premiered on 27 March 2017 on ITV Encore in the United Kingdom, and on 29 March 2017 on Hulu in the United States. It was subsequently renewed for a second series that premiered on 11 July 2018 in the United States, and on 14 February 2019 in the UK via on-demand service StarzPlay, to which it moved after ITV Encore closed. On September 24, 2018, Harlots was renewed for a third season, which premiered in the United States on July 10, 2019, and in the UK the following day.[1] [2] [3] On June 10, 2020, it was reported that Hulu had cancelled the series after three seasons.[4] After this, the BBC acquired the UK rights to broadcast all three series, with the first two episodes of the first season aired on BBC Two on 5 August 2020.[5]

Plot

In 1760s London, women's opportunities for economic advancement are either through marriage or sex work. The city's brothels are run by canny and determined businesswomen, such as Margaret Wells and Lydia Quigley, but there is a new morality on the rise. Religious evangelists demand the closure of brothels, and police are happy to launch brutal raids.[6]

The show revolves around Wells' determination to improve her life and the lives of those in her "family" by moving her brothel to Greek Street in Soho to serve a wealthier clientele in Georgian society. Her move to Greek Street puts her into direct conflict with a rival madame, Lydia Quigley, for whom she had previously worked. Quigley operates an elite brothel in Golden Square that serves rich, influential people.

Cast and characters

Main

Recurring

Guest

Notes

Episodes

Series 3 (2019)

Production

Development

On 26 May 2016, it was announced that Hulu and ITV had given the co-production a programme order for a first series consisting of eight episodes. The series was set to be written by Moira Buffini and based upon an original idea by Buffini and Alison Newman. Directors were expected to include Coky Giedroyc and China Moo-Young. Lawrence Till was set as producer, with Alison Owen and Debra Hayward also on board to executive produce alongside Alison Carpenter, Buffini, and Newman. Production companies involved with the series include Monumental Pictures.[7] [8] [9]

On 27 July 2017, it was announced at the annual Television Critics Association summer press tour that the programme had been renewed for a second series.[10] On 23 April 2018, it was announced that the second season would premiere in the United States on 11 July 2018.[11]

On April 12, 2019, it was announced that the third series was set to premiere in the United States on July 10, 2019.[2]

Casting

Alongside the initial series order announcement, it was confirmed that the series would star Samantha Morton, Lesley Manville, and Jessica Brown Findlay.[7] On 7 July 2016, it was announced that Eloise Smyth had been cast in a series regular role.[12]

On 16 October 2017, it was announced that Liv Tyler was joining the main cast in series two.[13]

Filming

Principal photography for series one was expected to commence in June 2016 in London.[7] The majority of filming took place at Langleybury Mansion, Kings Langley, Hertfordshire. Chiswick House was used to replicate 18th-century London for the series, and additional scenes filmed at Historic Dockyard Chatham.[14]

Reception

All three seasons have been received positively by critics. On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the series holds an approval rating of 94% with an average rating of 7.08/10 based on 48 reviews. The website's critical consensus reads, "Harlots uses its titillating subject matter to draw the viewer into a deeper drama about the intersection of survival, business, and family."[15] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the season a score of 74 out of 100 based on 17 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[16]

The second series holds an approval rating of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 11 reviews, with an average rating of 7.83/10. The site's critics' consensus reads: "Harlots maintains its lavish grit and holds an 18th-century mirror up to our contemporary world of troubling gender-based suffering."[17]

The third series holds an approval rating of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 10 reviews, with an average rating of 7.31/10. The site's critics' consensus reads: "Delightfully uncomfortable, Harlots continues to push boundaries, but never at the expense of its deliciously campy fun."[18] Metacritic reports a score of 77 out of 100 based on 4 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[19]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Harlots Renewed for a Third Season. 24 September 2018. The Hollywood Reporter. November 22, 2018.
  2. Web site: Hulu's Spring/Summer 2019 Programming Slate. The Futon Critic. April 12, 2019.
  3. Web site: Harlots. 13 October 2020.
  4. Web site: Mitovich . Matt Webb . Harlots Cancelled After 3 Seasons at Hulu — Reprisal Also Not Returning . TVLine . 10 June 2020.
  5. https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2020-08-05/harlots-praise-bbc-two-debut/ Harlots bursts at the seams with viewers praising debut of racy drama on BBC Two
  6. Web site: Alison. Graham. Radio Times. 28 March 2017. 8 May 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190508165816/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/e/fmjpyf/harlots--series-1-episode-1/. dead.
  7. Web site: Jaafar. Ali. Samantha Morton, Lesley Manville & Jessica Brown Findlay Are 'Harlots' For ITV And Hulu. Deadline Hollywood. 24 April 2018. 26 May 2016.
  8. Web site: Spangler. Todd. Hulu, ITV Order Brothel Drama Series 'Harlots'. Variety. 24 April 2018. 26 May 2016.
  9. Web site: Goldberg. Lesley. Samantha Morton to Star in Hulu/ITV Brothel Drama 'Harlots'. The Hollywood Reporter. 24 April 2018. en. 26 May 2016.
  10. Web site: Pedersen. Erik. 'Harlots' Renewed For Season 2 On Hulu – TCA. Deadline Hollywood. 24 April 2018. 27 July 2017.
  11. Web site: Petski. Denise. 'Harlots' Gets Season 2 Premiere Date On Hulu. Deadline Hollywood. 24 April 2018. 23 April 2018.
  12. Web site: Petski. Denise. 'The Blacklist: Redemption' Casts Adrian Martinez; Eloise Smyth Joins 'Harlots'. Deadline Hollywood. 23 April 2018. 7 July 2016.
  13. Web site: Andreeva. Nellie. Liv Tyler Joins Hulu Drama 'Harlots' As Series Regular For Season 2. Deadline Hollywood. 23 April 2018. 26 October 2017.
  14. Web site: Where is Harlots filmed? Filming locations for the BBC's period drama revealed. standard.co.uk. 12 August 2020. 24 September 2020.
  15. Web site: Harlots: Season 1. Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. September 4, 2019.
  16. Web site: Harlots: Season 1. Metacritic. CBS Interactive. September 4, 2019.
  17. Web site: Harlots: Season 2. Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. September 4, 2019.
  18. Web site: Harlots: Season 3. Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. September 4, 2019.
  19. Web site: Harlots - Season 3 Reviews. Metacritic. CBS Interactive. September 4, 2019.

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