Series synopsis
Harlots is a British drama television series that premiered on ITV Encore on March 27, 2017. It ended on August 28, 2019. It was created by Moira Buffini. It stars Samantha Morton, Jessica Brown Findlay, Alfie Allen and Eloise Smyth.
Brothel owner, Margaret Wells, struggles to raise her daughters in London during the 18th century.
Premise
Brothel owner, Margaret Wells, struggles to raise her daughters in London during the 18th century.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Samantha Morton as Margaret Wells
- Jessica Brown Findlay as Charlotte Wells
- Alfie Allen as Isaac Pincher
- Eloise Smyth as Lucy Wells
- Lesley Manville as Lydia Quigley
- Kate Fleetwood as Nancy Birch
- Danny Sapani as William North
- Dorothy Atkinson as Florence Scanwell
Supporting cast
- Bronwyn James as Fanny Lambert
- Ben Lambert as Lord Fallon
- Rosalind Eleazar as Violet Cross
- Jordon Stevens as Amelia Scanwell
- Holli Dempsey as Emily Lacey
- Ash Hunter as Hal Pincher
- Liv Tyler as Lady Isabella Fitzwilliam
- Douggie McMeekin as Charles Quigley
- Pippa Bennett-Warner as Harriet Lennox
- Poppy Corby-Tuech as Marie-Louise D'Aubigne
- Edward Hogg as Thomas Haxby
- Sebastian Armesto as Justice Hunt
Guest cast
- Tim McInnerny as Lord Repton
- Fenella Woolgar as Lady Repton
- Pierro Niel-Mee as Edmund Turner
- Jordan A. Nash as Jacob Wells North
- Josef Altin as Prinz Rasselas
- Lottie Tolhurst as Kitty Carter
- Eric Kofi Abrefa as Noah Webster
- Gerard Monaco as Constable Armitage
- Nicola Coughlan as Hannah Dalton
- Richard Durden as Lord Dodds
- Anna Calder-Marshall as Mrs. May
- Timothy Innes as Benjamin Lennox
Episodes
This series spans 3 seasons with 24 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 8 | March 27, 2017 | May 15, 2017 |
| Season 2 | 8 | July 11, 2018 | August 22, 2018 |
| Season 3 | 8 | July 10, 2019 | August 28, 2019 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 1 Margaret Wells’s business comes under attack from a rival madam. As they risk losing everything, how much will Margaret and her daughters have to sacrifice to keep the brothel, and the Wells family afloat? |
March 27, 2017 |
| 2 |
Episode 2 An old friend’s return could be a godsend if Margaret can tempt him to invest in her brothel. But when an opportunity arises which could damage Lydia’s reputation, Margaret’s thirst for revenge puts all her plans at risk. |
April 3, 2017 |
| 3 |
Episode 3 Lucy is promised to Lord Repton, but is she prepared for the experience that awaits her? Lydia’s retaliation against Margaret might prevent her move to Soho, when the Wells are met with a baying mob outside their new home. |
April 10, 2017 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 1 When an unyielding new Justice makes a surprise arrest, Margaret and Nancy must race to find witnesses to give evidence against Lydia Quigley. Could this finally be their chance to get Lydia to pay for her crimes? |
July 11, 2018 |
| 2 |
Episode 2 While Charlotte struggles with horribly divided loyalties, the community gathers to share its grief. Tempers flare and the women rally against the injustice of the judiciary, with devastating consequences for Nancy. |
July 11, 2018 |
| 3 |
Episode 3 Margaret must focus on business but a visit to the Pleasure Gardens leads to an unexpected confrontation. Charlotte tries to secure a powerful ally and gain Margaret's approval, while Lucy falls under Fallon's spell. |
July 18, 2018 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 1 When Greek Street is attacked by new pimps in town, Charlotte Wells fights back with disastrous consequences. Can Charlotte protect her girls from the men who want to take over her business? Meanwhile, on a whim, Lucy goes into business with two recent arrivals to the London scene. But what does she really know about her new business partners? |
July 10, 2019 |
| 2 |
Episode 2 With Charlotte’s brothel fire-damaged and all of her savings up in smoke, she is determined to retaliate – but the Wells women will need to be clever: The Pinchers are violent men. Lucy offers to help her sister in a way that also benefits her new business. Meanwhile, in Bedlam, Lydia and Kate dream of escape, Lydia’s sights set on a return to her old home. |
July 17, 2019 |
| 3 |
Episode 3 All of Soho are gearing up for an illicit boxing party at Lady Fitz’s house – quite a statement for an aristocrat to make. But with Lydia out of Bedlam, Blayne back in England, and the Pinchers determined to seal a lucrative deal, there’s tension in the air. Just as the evening is taking off, an old friend’s arrival stokes long-held rivalries. |
July 24, 2019 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | ITV Encore |
|---|---|
| First aired | March 27, 2017 |
| Last aired | August 28, 2019 |
| Runtime | 47 minutes |
| Status | ended |
| Schedule | Wednesday |