Review of “Hard Acless”
It’s rare that the premiere episode of a series feels entirely predictable, yet it seems the new Britbox show manages to pull that off—and we still had a great time watching it.
Opening Scene: A bustling port. “Yorkshire, 1891.”
Synopsis: The Hard Ackles family, Irish immigrants, work tirelessly at the docks to maintain their modest lifestyle. Their routine is thrown into disarray when the family patriarch, Sam Hardker (Liam McMahon), injures his hands trying to avert a disaster caused by a malfunctioning winch.
Unable to work, Sam’s wife, Mary (Clair Cooper), approaches their understanding boss for an advance, but he implies she should trade something for it. Mary, along with their daughter Liza (Shannon Lovell) and her mother (Julie Graham), stops in their tracks. Meanwhile, their older son, Joe (Adam Little), opts to take the difficult path of staying behind.
While Sam tries to return to his job, he’s swiftly fired once his boss discovers his hands are beyond repair. Rumor suggests the family seeks help, but Mary faces rude dismissal from the house manager, Mrs. Dryden (Ingrid Crazy). In light of this, Mary decides to venture into selling fried herring at the racetrack with her son, Harry (Zackford Williams). Although they end up carted away at day’s end, they still earn more than the family did in a day at the docks. After Sam learns of the herring venture, he supports their efforts wholeheartedly.
As their fried herring business gains traction, they enlist the help of a young financial advisor, Callum Saunders (Taheen Modak). The family’s fortunes could skyrocket with a gold strike at the mine, potentially netting over £200,000. Naturally, a big move is on the horizon.
Similar Shows: Created by Amy Roberts and Lauren McCrafran and based on novels by CL Skelton, Hard Acless feels like a Yorkshire variant of The Beverly Hillbillies fused with Downton Abbey.
Our Impression: Despite its predictability, the first episode of Hard Acless was enjoyable. The creators effectively establish the challenging dockside life. There’s a satisfying irony when Mary returns to a property once dismissed by the house manager.
The family must navigate numerous challenges in their new life, and it’s essential that the creators portray their strong familial bonds. There’s a notable commentary on the wealthy, suggesting they are often “more criminal” than your average person. Yet, given their close-knit relationships, the Hard Ackles seem resilient enough to face societal judgments.
I’m curious to see how they adapt to their changing circumstances.
Farewell Scene: As the Hard Ackles arrive at their new home, the gate shuts, showcasing a new crest reading “Hardacre Hall.”
Standout Performance: Julie Graham’s portrayal of Ma Hardacre adds an interesting dynamic, given her secretive dealings even as the fish business flourishes.
Closing Note: There wasn’t much concerning traditional pilot elements noted here.
Our Recommendation: Stream it. Hard Acless offers an entertaining period drama that focuses more on family dynamics than on heavy drama, whether they’re navigating docks or country estates.
