Los Hardacre

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.

I don't normally do reviews but I wanted to on this. I think this is the best that channel 5 have put on. Yes the first episode was rushed and could have been shown over 3 episodes but stick with it. I have Sky and Disney plus,Netflix and I'm enjoying this a lot more that what I pay for. I really hope they will do a season 2 after this finishes. I love period dramas and it's not Downton abbey but they haven't the budget obviously because it's channel 5. I think a lot of people will enjoy this,if they get over the first episode. Claire Cooper is brilliant in this and Julie Graham. Everyone needs to remember what channel it's on and it's not bad.

Watch it if you want to enjoy six episodes of light drama mixed with a lot of comedy that might not appeal to everyone, but it's a charming show I can actually recommend to anyone looking for a short, six-episode series to enjoy at any time. However, don't watch it expecting to compare it with other shows that represent this historical period, as it's likely not suited for such comparisons.

The first episode moved quickly with its events, which may not seem entirely logical in reality, but again, I'll say don't look for logic or comparisons-just watch it to enjoy. It's pure fun in this series, and honestly, I loved it. Maybe the ending wasn't ideal; I would have at least liked to see the wedding. But so far, we're not sure if they'll stop at one season. I think it might get another season because, in reality, it didn't get bad ratings, which I can understand. I watched it, and honestly, it's a good choice for a quick watch.

The Hardacres isn't going to win any awards but it isn't half bad as an easy Autumn watch with its lovely Yorkshire backdrops. With an obviously limited budget the period setting is pretty much defined by a country house and the clothes of the time, which is a shame.

Overall its much closer to those old Catherine Cookson TV movies than higher budget efforts like Poldark. Production wise I felt it was a bit far-fetched story wise with lots of predictable pay-offs and the pilot episode was definitely too rushed. The soundtrack was very busy, honestly less is more.

Made by the same outfit as 'All Creatures Great & Small' I wanted something a bit more sophisticated, but hopefully it will find an audience and find its feet properly in series two.

Worth a look if you're a fan of period drama/family sagas.

So many attempts at humorous disparaging comments, make you wonder why they bother watching then reviewing.

The thing is, its entertainment. Not a documentary not a bio. It may be clichéd and clearly not reality but it's also engaging and entertaining.

The overall package keeps you watching as the characters develop nicely and you can see the problems and diversions for the main characters slowly but surely developing.

Ma makes me laugh. Keeping all feet firmly on the ground whilst others are desperate to elevate their social standing, to start with at least.

View with an open mind and you'll enjoy the humour as well as the emotional ups and downs.