The cast of Channel 5's period drama The Hardacres has opened up about the demanding yet fulfilling experience of filming the second season. The series, which returns tonight after a hiatus since 2024, transports viewers to 1895, where the arrival of electricity and evolving relationships transform life at Hardacre Hall.
Challenges of a Condensed Schedule
Claire Cooper, who plays Mary Hardacre, revealed that the production pace was notably faster this time. "It was a lot faster this time, it was condensed down so we really had to step up, it was a rough schedule," she said. The team completed filming in just 10 weeks, a significant reduction from the typical 12 to 14 weeks. Cooper added, "Filming for 10 weeks, that's unheard of. You normally do them over 12-14 weeks but we did it. It was tough, but great."
Liam McMahon, who portrays Sam Hardacre and hails from Ireland where the series is filmed, expressed confidence in the crew's ability. "There was no panic about the 20 weeks we had to shoot because we know that everybody is diligent and everybody knows their jobs and they were focused on making the best television, no matter the timescale," he explained.
A Warm Return to Ireland
Julie Graham, who plays Ma, described the return to Ireland as "really lovely." She remarked, "I know it's a bit of a cliché but we do all adore each other and we had such a lovely time on the first series. We did kind of leave the first series really feeling like a wonderful messy, funny, dysfunctional family and then when we came back it felt like we had only been away for a few weeks and everybody kind of fell into their places in the family." Graham emphasized that the entire experience was enjoyable from beginning to end.
For Cooper, who is married to Irish actor Emmett J Scanlan, Ireland feels like a second home. She shared, "Returning to such an incredible bunch of talented people, that's a massive pull. They are so tight, they are so brilliant at what they do over there, they make incredible TV. I mean for me, going back to Ireland is home from home because my husband is Irish, so I got to see the in-laws, the stepdaughter, the sister-in-law, all these people. So for me it was lovely going back and it's such a safe space to work in."
Filming Locations and Atmosphere
Though the story is set in Yorkshire, filming takes place in Dublin and County Wicklow. Graham called the location "magical" and elaborated, "It reminds me a lot of working in Scotland, it's a similar Celtic sensibility, everyone kind of pulls together but also everyone is there for the craic. Nobody will tolerate any sort of diva behaviour or nonsense. There is something really magical about it and it's definitely a home from home now. I feel very welcome there and they just adopt you as their own, it's lovely."
The Hardacres season 2 premieres tonight at 9pm on Channel 5.
