1890's Yorkshire, The Hardacres family work endlessly to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table. After a bad accident, Sam loses his job, but wife Mary has a plan, a plan that makes them rich beyond their wildest dreams.
It's a rags to riches story, almost Disney style, it's so outrageous and over the top, but it genuinely works, we see two worlds collide, two worlds that don't often mix apart from in an Upstairs, Downstairs fashion.
Watching The Hardacres trying to adapt to their new found wealth is a joy, seeing the family, Mary and Ma in particular, trying to interact with their new and wealthy circle.
There are some wonderful characters, I adore Mrs Dryden, the spiteful housekeeper, you could easily place her in Downton Abbey, she's great. The whole family are entertaining, it's just a shame that Harry is packed off so early, he was great.
So they may look a little modern, and some of the dialogue (especially Ma's) wouldn't have been heard for decades, but it just works, the sets look wonderful.
Entertaining, funny and sometimes moving, it's an uplifting tale of rags to riches, one of Channel Five's better dramas, hopefully a second series will follow.
Super entertaining.
8/10.
