Hulu, the popular streaming service is adding Harlots to its popular series list, TV Series Finale reports. The eight part drama series stars Samantha Morton (Minority Report, Rillington Place), Lesley Manville (Mum, Maleficent), and Jessica Brown Findlay (Downton Abbey, Victor Frankenstein). The family drama will be produced by Monumental Pictures.
Harlots is set against the backdrop of 18th century Georgian London, and is a powerful drama that will give a brand new take on sex, the city’s most valuable commercial activity. The show is based on the series of real women and follows Margaret Wells (Morton) and her daughters. Margaret struggles to balance her roles as not only a mother but as the owner of a brothel. And when her business is attacked by Lydia Quigley (Manville), a rival madam whose completely ruthless, Margaret fights back just as hard. Even if it means putting those close to her in danger. Findlay stars as Charlotte, Margaret’s eldest daughter who is also the city’s most sought after prostitute.
Harlots was written by playwright and screenwriter, Moira Buffini (Jane Eyre, Tamara Drewe) and is based on an original idea by Buffini and Alison Newman. The series will be directed by Coky Giedroyc (What Remains, Penny Dreadful) and China Moo-Young (Thirteen Humans). Serving as producers are Lawrence Till, Alison Owen, Debra Hayward, Alison Carpenter, Moira Buffini, and Alison Newman.
In regards to the show, Owen, the executive producer for Harlots stated “In 1760s London there were brothels on every corner run by women who were both enterprising and tenacious. History has largely ignored them, but their stories are in turn outrageous, brutal, humorous and real.” Fellow Executive Producer Hayward added “Moira and Alison’s writing doesn’t pull any punches when it comes to sex and violence, but it’s the juxtaposition of these things and the domesticity of the ‘houses’ that makes Harlots so compelling.”
Filming for Harlots is set to begin next month.