Netflix adds 'binge-worthy' British period drama fans call 'outstanding'

Netflix subscribers have been treated to a highly-rated yet overlooked British period drama that has recently landed on the streaming service. June saw a slew of new titles being added to Netflix for its UK customers and fans of period dramas are in for a treat with one that has three whole seasons. July sees another surge of additions to Netflix UK but before they all land, there is plenty of content for home viewers to get through.

One of the shows that was recently added to Netflix is Harlots. The drama consists of three seasons and 24 episodes in total, all of which can be streamed on Netflix now. Harlots was added to Netflix UK on July 1 along with a considerable number of other shows and movies. The series has been well-reviewed by both critics and audiences and has an impressive Rotten Tomatoes score of 97%.

The series, which first premiered on the BBC in 2017, follows a brothel owner, Margaret Wells, in Soho, London, in the 1670s. Margaret is played by Samantha Morton, who helps to complete the cast of extremely talented British performers.

Harlots also stars Liv Tyler, Jessica Brown Findlay, Elouise Smith, Lesley Manville and Ben Lambert. The series sees Margaret struggle to secure a decent future for her daughters in unstable times as religious figures demand the closure of brothels in 18th-century London.

Margaret is forced to move her brothel to serve wealthier clients in a bid to support her family. However, she finds herself in direct conflict with another madame on the street, causing tensions.

Many viewers were blown away by this series, sharing their opinions online. One person wrote: "Sex. Drinking. Swearing. Romance. Comedy. Tear-inducing drama. I'm totally in love with this series. Chock full of thoroughly lovable characters and equally detestable characters. The whole cast is outstanding, from the household names like Samantha Morton, Lesley Manville, Dorothy Atkinson & Liv Tyler to the lesser-known but just as superb Hollie Dempsie, Eloise Smyth & Jessica Brown Findlay. I've recommended this to many friends & family and every single one of them has thanked me for it."

Another called it a "delectably binge-worthy series", adding that they became "further enthralled as the show progressed".

A third commented: "Superficially, one might think that this show is a bawdy romp in Georgian England (18th century), but it is so much more. Written and directed by women, this show depicts the harsh realities for women during the 18th century, when they had few options but to be a man's property. Refreshingly, this show features women at center stage of the entire show, with men being the side characters that support the stellar female cast."

A fourth said: "The costumes and context are gloriously detailed and accurate, from the filthiness of 18th-century life in general to the cosmopolitan societies of port cities like London. The costumes and settings are based on 18th-century 'real' examples, which for me gives the series a hallmark of quality. The dilemma of how people would have spoken and behaved is avoided by giving the characters 21st-century reactions to 18th-century situations."

It is among the many new titles that have been added to Netflix so far in July. Others include Cape Fear (1991), Heat (1995), Blue Jean (2022), Anger Management (2003) and American Outlaws (2001).