Hardacres viewers give their verdict on the new period drama from the All Creatures producers

Channel 5’s new period drama The Hardacres landed on our screens on Monday night – and viewers took to social media to give their verdict.

Set in the 1890s, the series is from the producers of All Creatures Great and Small and was created and written by Call the midwife Authors Amy Roberts and Loren McLaughlan follow the Hardacre family’s rags-to-riches journey from the dirty fishing dock to a sprawling Yorkshire estate.

Spoilers for episode one ahead!

In the first episode, viewers were introduced to the working-class Hardacre family, who work as fish eaters down by the dock until patriarch Sam sustains an injury to his hand that leaves him unable to work. Mary soon comes up with the idea of ​​setting up a fried herring stand, and by the end of the episode the family has made a great fortune, being given the chance to move to a stately estate.

It’s safe to say that the opening segment was well received by viewers, who were full of praise for the show on social media.

One person wrote: “Well the first episode of #TheHardacres on @channel5_tv far exceeded expectations – I really enjoyed it. A fantastic start!” while another added: “If the following episodes are as good as the first, this historical drama will be a treat!”

© Jonathan Hession / Channel 5 / Playground Television

A third viewer remarked: “Just watched the first episode of #TheHardacres @channel5_tv. Brilliantly entertaining with a touch of humor. Definitely one to watch.”

Many viewers also praised the cast’s impressive performance, particularly Julie Graham, who plays Ma.

© Jonathan Hession / Channel 5

One person wrote: “Really enjoyed the first episode of #TheHardacres on @channel5_tv. Excellent cast, especially Julie Graham and Claire Cooper. Very promising start,” while another added: “Fantastic opening episode. Great cast and excellent performances.”

A third viewer agreed, writing: “#TheHardacres episode rounded out very well. Julie Graham steals the show as always. I’m looking forward to the next episode.”

© Jay Brooks / Channel 5

Ahead of the series’ premiere, Claire Cooper, who plays Mary, revealed that the cast was taught how to gut fish by professional fish gliders.

“If we wanted to participate, we could, which I think is very important because these women were incredibly fast,” she told HELLO! and other press. “They were great at their job and in some of the shots.” [you’ll see] We had scars on our hands because the women were often injured by the work they did. The scales would cut their fingers.

© Channel 5/Playground

“There was a technique to it and we all practiced it. I have to say, Shannon [Lavelle] and Julie [Graham] “I really dug in, I was drawn to the rubber fish because they made these incredible rubber fish with rubber guts and I focused on those,” the actress added.

The Hardacres continues on Monday October 14 at 9pm on Channel 5.