In this episode of The British TV Watchlist, Michael T dives into The Hardacres, BritBox’s latest period drama that blends Yorkshire grit with upstairs-downstairs tension. It’s The Beverly Hillbillies—UK style.

Set in the 1890s, The Hardacres follows a working-class family who strike gold—literally—and swap their fish dock roots for a grand country estate. But sudden wealth brings more than just servants and social invitations. It brings identity crises, power struggles, and a staunch, stubborn housekeeper.

Michael unpacks the show’s historical context, the psychology of windfall wealth, and the real-life figures who mirrored the Hardacres’ meteoric rise. Plus, a closer look at standout characters Joe Hardacre and the formidable Mrs. Dryden, whose passive-aggressive sabotage is as sharp as her starched collar.