THE HARDACRES RETURNS TO 5 THIS SPRING AS FIRST‑LOOK IMAGES AND CASTING DETAILS ARE REVEALED FOR SERIES 2

Ahead of its anticipated return to 5 this spring, the rags to riches family saga The Hardacres unveils casting details for its second series and reveals first-look images for the upcoming series. 

Inspired by the bestselling novels by CL Skelton, The Hardacres stars Claire Cooper (The Continental, The Peripheral) and Liam McMahon (Hunger, Warrior Nun) as Mary and Sam Hardacre, alongside Julie Graham (The City Is Ours, Time) as Mary’s mother, Ma. Their children Joe, Liza and Harry are played by Adam Little (Ackley Bridge, Coronation Street), Shannon Lavelle (Riot Women) and Zak Ford‑Williams (Bridgerton, Better). 

The cast also includes Holly Sturton (Lies We Tell, The School for Good and Evil), Cathy Belton (Hidden Assets, Philomena) and Owen Roe (Sherlock, Daughter) as Lady Adella, Lady Emma and Lord George Fitzherbert, with Ingrid Craigie (Blood, Blackshore) as Mrs Dryden, Sarah Agha as Betsy Hardacre (Layla, The Badlands), and Taheen Modak (The Bay) as Callum Saunders. 

New faces joining the cast for series 2 include Michele Dotrice (A Very English Scandal) as Lady Imelda Hansen, the formidable mother of Lady Emma Fitzherbert, Niall McNamee (Saipan, Bad Sisters) as Edward Blackwood, and Edward Mitchell (Zack Snyder’s Justice League) as Arthur Lewis. 

Following the smash-hit first series, which followed the Hardacre family as they navigated their rise from poverty to staggering wealth and the unexpected twists and turns that money brought, series 2 finds the Hardacre family on the brink of transformation in 1895, as modernity sweeps into Hardacre Hall with electricity and shifting loyalties. Mary and Sam embrace wealth and opportunity, but their children begin forging identities that challenge expectations. Mary champions adult education for dock workers, while Sam expands the family business amid a looming recession, uncertain if Joe is ready to succeed him. Determined to prove himself, Joe’s impulsive choices threaten his future. Liza recovering from romantic disappointment, is swept up by a chance encounter with a handsome stranger, while Harry’s plans to abandon school are transformed by an inspiring new tutor. Ma forms an unexpected bond but as some relationships blossom, others are strained. As tensions rise, Lady Imelda Hansen arrives at the Fitzherbert’s home with a dangerous agenda, forcing the Hardacres to unite or risk losing everything. 

From Playground, the award-winning production company behind the internationally acclaimed hit series All Creatures Great and Small; in association with Screen Ireland and Red Berry Productions. Banijay Rights handles international sales for the series.    The series was commissioned by Deputy Chief Content Officer and Head of Scripted, Paramount UK, Sebastian Cardwell, alongside Paul Testar, Commissioning Editor, 5. Executive Producers are Colin Callender (All Creatures Great and Small, The Undeclared War) and David Stern (Howards End, The Last Tycoon) for Playground, Lesley McKimm (The Hardacres, My Name is Emily) for Playground and Red Berry Productions, Simon Cox for Banijay Rights and Kate McColgan for Screen Ireland. Kathryn Kennedy Fenton (Atomic Hope, Leonard & Hungry Paul) is on board as Producer and Rachel Carey (The Hardacres, Obituary Series 2), is returning as Lead Director, with Stephen Bradley (Fran the Man, Noble), directing Block 2. Writers for series 2 include Sarah-Louise Hawkins (Whitstable Pearl, The Mallorca Files), Emma Reeves (The Hardacres, The Beaker Girls), Dan Muirden (Death in Paradise, Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators), Cara Loftus (Hidden Assets, Spilt Milk) and Susie Conklin (A Gentleman in Moscow, A Discovery of Witches). 

The launch dates for S2 will be confirmed in due course. Series 1 is available to stream on 5. 

For more information please contact:

Hannah Allan  hannah.allan@paramount.com 

Lisa Vanoli  lisavanolipublicity@gmail.com

ENDS

About 5 

5 is the home of award-winning content from the UK’s third largest commercial PSB, a culmination of the creative transformation of Channel 5 over more than a decade. 5 is part of the Paramount Skydance Corporation.

Through a mix of live TV channels and bingeable boxsets, the free-to-air service allows UK audiences to watch or stream the breadth of programming from the 5-branded portfolio, the dedicated preschool brand Milkshake!, and a wide selection from the wider Paramount family of brands, including BET, CBS, Comedy Central, MTV Entertainment Studios, Paramount+ and more. In keeping with its PSB remit, 5 tells the story of modern Britain by reflecting the lives of people across the UK, featuring well-known faces and fresh new talent. Its programme roster spans original UK drama, premium factual, true crime, science, news & current affairs and kids’ content, which continue to attract critical acclaim. 

Recent wins include ‘Channel of the Year’ at the 2025 Edinburgh TV Awards, BAFTA Television and RTS Awards for the documentary White Nanny, Black Child in 2024, along with a BAFTA nomination for Endurance Race to the Pole. Factual hit The Yorkshire Vet and the broadcaster’s series on air fryers also won RTS Yorkshire awards, while Michael Palin received the Radio Times Special Judges Award for his Channel 5 documentaries. 

About Playground 

Playground is the production company based in New York and London founded by award-winning producer Sir Colin Callender CBE. With a dynamic and innovative creative team, deep talent relations on both sides of the Atlantic, and a reputation for editorial rigour, the company is known for its consistent track record producing distinctive high-end scripted drama that’s smart & entertaining.     

Taking advantage of the creative opportunities in the ever-changing entertainment landscape, the company’s recent television credits include films and limited-series such THE DRESSER, HOWARDS END, CHIMERICA, LITTLE WOMEN, KING LEAR, the Golden Globe and Bafta winning WOLF HALL starring Mark Rylance, Damian Lewis, and Claire Foy, and most recently its acclaimed sequel THE MIRROR AND THE LIGHT. Recent returning series include six seasons of ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL, THE HARDACRES, LYNLEY, MAIGRET, THE UNDECLARED WAR, and it’s first comedy, SMALL TOWN, BIG STORY. 

About Red Berry Productions 

Red Berry Productions is an Irish Production Company, set up by Exec Producer Lesley McKimm with a view to working on TV dramas and Feature films in co-production with established International partners. Red Berry is committed to working on high end and quality stories that reach the widest possible audience both in Ireland and abroad with an emphasis on female led and diverse talent.

About Banijay Rights 

Leading global distributor, Banijay Rights, represents a world-class, multi-genre portfolio of over 225,000 hours of standout programming. Handling the distribution for media and entertainment powerhouse, Banijay Entertainment, the division specialises in the exploitation of premium scripted and non-scripted brands to broadcasters worldwide.   Representing quality, excellence and experience in the business of linear and non-linear television and ancillary activity across all platforms, Banijay Rights’ catalogue encompasses a host of top titles from Banijay’s 130+ in-house labels, and a number of third-party producers, spanning drama, comedy, entertainment, factual, reality, family, formats and theatrical.   Delivering high-quality IP, which was born locally and travels globally, the distributor offers the best stories told the best way. Its landmark brands include Survivor, Big Brother, MasterChef, Peaky Blinders, Rogue Heroes, Marie Antoinette, Grantchester, Deal or No Deal, Home and Away, Mr Bean and Black Mirror.   Built on independence, creative freedom, entrepreneurialism and commercial acumen, Banijay Rights operates under the direction of Chief Executive Officer, Cathy Payne.   

About Screen Ireland

As the Irish national agency for the film, television drama, animation, documentary, VFX and digital games industries, Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland is the creative partner to the sector, investing in talent, creativity and enterprise.  We are inspired by original storytelling that will emotionally move audiences at home and abroad. Through a wide range of practical funding supports across development, production, distribution, promotion and skills development, Screen Ireland supports the sector at every stage. We support filmmakers in their creative pursuit to share valuable artistic, cultural and commercial stories on screen.