Fancy a feminist take on 18th century sex work that blends history and fiction for a smutty romp? Netflix now has you covered.
The ITV period drama Harlots has a Vincent Van Gogh category of TV reputation, as a show never properly appreciated in its time, but held in tremendously high esteem by those that did tune in.
Starring Lesley Manville, Liv Tyler and Samantha Morton, the show is set on the streets and in the brothels of Georgian England in the 1760s, as two warring madams battle it out.
It’s an age-old tale of David and Goliath, with the upstart Margaret Wells (Morton) jostling for custom against the established Lydia Quigley (Manville).
Yet nobody is covered in glory on the sex-for-sale scene. Quigley doesn’t care whether her girls live or die if she can curry aristocratic favour, while Wells is prepared to sell her daughters’ virginities to the highest bidder.
Get personalised updates on all things Netflix
Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro’s TV Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we’ll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you.
Harlots has a twisty plot and scenes that blend 18th century history with modern touches to an effect that fans of the now-cancelled The Great will relish.
![Television programme: Harlots on ITV Encore Pictured: Margaret Wells [Samantha Morton] and Lydia Quigley [Lesley Manville]. This photograph is (C) Hulu and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above. Once made available by ITV plc Picture Desk, this photograph can be reproduced once only up until the transmission [TX] date and no reproduction fee will be charged. Any subsequent usage may incur a fee. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Plc Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on the website www.itvpictures.com For further information please contact: james.hilder@itv.com / 0207 157 3052](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/PRI_33204326-5926.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web
browser that
supports HTML5
video
The frothy drama was a short-lived three-season affair on the similarly short-lived channel ITV Encore. Manville has chalked up the show’s struggle to gain traction to being squirreled away in the schedules (via RadioTimes).
The BBC then picked up Harlots in 2020, treating the existing seasons to the primetime slot they deserved in order to fill the schedule amid a TV shortage during the pandemic.
Manville has said she would be very much up for a fourth season of the show, after its untimely conclusion.
‘I’d always be interested – obviously I’d be interested,’ she said during a press event. ‘I had nothing but a pleasurable time doing all three series, and it was one of those blissful jobs.
What other period dramas are on Netflix?
- The Secret Agent. This dark tale of espionage, terrorism and betrayal set in Victorian London is a who’s who of actors. Toby Jones, Vicky McClure and Stephen Graham star.
- The Lady’s Companion. This one follows 19th-century chaperone Elena ‘hired to find husbands for three wealthy sisters’ but ends up falling for one of the suitors herself.
- The Forsyte Saga. This will be catnip for fans of Downton Abbey, with a similar time period and even premise, as the show chronicles the lives of three generations of the wealthy Forsyte family.
![From Monumental Television Harlots: Ep1 on ITV Encore Pictured: Charlotte Wells [Jessica Brown Findlay]. This photograph is (C) Monumental Television and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above. Once made available by ITV plc Picture Desk, this photograph can be reproduced once only up until the transmission [TX] date and no reproduction fee will be charged. Any subsequent usage may incur a fee. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Plc Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on the website www.itvpictures.com For further information please contact: james.hilder@itv.com / 0207 157 3052](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/PRI_34768770-8cad.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
‘I’d definitely [give] that a lot of consideration but it’s certainly not something that’s been talked about.’
The show’s three seasons – which are now all available on Netflix –currently hold a 97% rating on the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, with a set of glowing reviews from critics and audiences alike.
A review in Black Girl Nerds described the show as ‘an addictive and binge worthy’ watch, while a write-up in Time magazine said: ‘Come for the strong female-driven storylines and stay for the truly memorable costumes.’
Meanwhile, The Times hailed it as a ‘riotous period drama’ and The Guardian said it was ‘obscenely watchable’. Walk, don’t run.
Harlots is available to stream on Netflix.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.