Do you love elegant costumes, gripping storylines and strong-willed heroines? If you're a fan of the world of Bridgerton, this British historical drama deserves a top spot on your series watchlist. Here's why you should discover it.
Since the global success of Bridgerton, fans of period dramas have been searching for other productions capable of transporting them to another era. Among the hidden gems of the genre is Harlots, a British historical drama that premiered on Hulu in 2017.
A captivating historical drama set in 18th-century London
Inspired by historian Hallie Rubenhold's book The Covent Garden Ladies, the series immerses viewers in London in 1763. At the time, opportunities available to women were extremely limited. For many, marriage or prostitution represented the only ways of securing their future in a deeply unequal society.
With its meticulous production design and immersive atmosphere, Harlots presents a less romanticised portrait of Georgian England while shedding light on the realities women faced during the period.
A fierce rivalry at the heart of Soho
The story centres on Margaret Wells, the owner of a brothel in Greek Street, in the heart of London's Soho district. Ambitious and determined, she is eager to expand her business in order to provide the best possible future for her daughters. However, her aspirations bring her into direct conflict with Lydia Quigley, a powerful and long-established figure in the trade. The rivalry between the two women quickly escalates into an explosive battle for dominance.
Through this struggle for power, Harlots explores class divisions, systems of influence and the challenges faced by women attempting to rise above their circumstances. At the same time, various authorities exert increasing pressure to shut down such establishments.
One of the show's greatest strengths is its outstanding cast. Samantha Morton delivers a powerful and charismatic performance as Margaret Wells, while Lesley Manville portrays the ruthless Lydia Quigley, creating a particularly compelling on-screen rivalry. The cast also includes Jessica Brown Findlay, Liv Tyler and Dorothy Atkinson.
A cult favourite that deserves more recognition
Broadcast between 2017 and 2019, Harlots consists of three seasons and 24 episodes, each running for approximately 45 minutes. Throughout its run, the series received widespread acclaim from both audiences and critics. Two of its seasons even achieved a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes, the well-known review aggregator for films and television series.
Despite its highly positive reception, however, the show remained relatively under the radar and largely underrated. Unfortunately, it was cancelled in 2020.
Although Harlots is not currently available in France, viewers in the UK can watch the series on Netflix.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKOzqfGf7cc
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