The Hardacres

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.

Wonderful period piece with layered characters and an interesting storyline. It has a Catherine Cookson flavour about the story, focusing on all stratas of the social ladder. Showcases hardship as well as good fortune but ultimately, the triumph of family values and strong friendships.

For those who need a character to admire and one to dislike,The Hardacres doesn't disappoint. The challenge will be to deliver a second series that engages viewers and develops characters in a realistic manner.

Well worth watching, especially for those who love a good period piece that is uplifting in its core messages.

The Beverly Hillbillies was an old American comedy about a very poor rural family who struck oil and moved to Beverly Hills. Movie stars. Swimming pools. The Hardacres is pretty much the same story, but told as a Hallmark card drama. And it feels all wrong to criticize it as it might be the most innocent, sweet, well-meaning show ever broadcast.... at the same time as being horribly written. Any time you think there might be tension, there isn't. All is resolved and everyone laughs. Any time you think there might be danger, there isn't. All is resolved and everyone laughs. Any time you think there might be character development, there isn't. All is resolved and everyone laughs.

And of course, there's no attempt at historical accuracy. In the first episode we meet the impoverished family who all have beautiful clothes, perfect teeth, and startling complexions; the father is basically a GQ model showing off the latest in Irish wool fashion.

But you don't watch this show for any part of that. You watch it because the world right now is weary and terrible, every headline is worse than the last, the human race seems destined to burn itself out... and so you watch The Hardacres, where life is lovely.

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.

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.