‘Harlots’ is a period drama television series is about Margaret Wells running a brothel in 18th century England while also trying to raise her daughters. The series was created by Alison Newman and Moira Buffini, and it is loosely based on the book ‘The Covent Garden Ladies’ by Hallie Rubenhold. It is a British-American production that originally aired on ITV Encore in the United Kingdom and on Hulu in the United States in March 2017. The third season of the series premiered in the United States on July 10, 2019. The majority of the roles in this series are played by British actors. Here is your chance to meet the cast of ‘Harlots‘.
Samantha Morton
The lead role of Margaret Wells is played by Samantha Morton. Margaret is the madam of a low-class brothel who is a former prostitute herself. She is trying to improve her fortunes and to raise her daughters in a chaotic household. Morton is an award-winning actress who began her career in 1991. She first became known for her appearances in ‘Soldier, Soldier’, ‘Cracker’, and ‘Band of Gold’. Her more recent television work includes ‘The Last Panthers’, Waking the Dead’, and Rillington Place’. Samantha Morton has also appeared in many films, and some of her best include ‘Sweet and Lowdown’, ‘Morvern Caller’, ‘America’, ‘Minority Report’, ‘Longford’, ‘Control’, ‘Elizabeth: The Golden Age, and ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’. In her personal life, Morton has a daughter from a relationship with Charlie Creed-Miles and two children with her current partner, Harry Holm.
Lesley Manville
Lydia Quigley is the madam of a high-class brothel, and this character is played by Lesley Manville. She is known for her roles in films including ‘All or Nothing’, ‘Another Year’, ‘Phantom Thread’, and ‘Maleficent’. Her most famous television role is playing Cathy in ‘Mum’ from 2016 to the present. She has been married twice; first to Gary Oldman, with whom she has a son, and second to Joe Dixon.
Jessica Brown Findlay
Jessica Brown Findlay plays the role of Charlotte Wells, Margaret’s eldest daughter and one of the prostitutes at the brothel. She is known for her roles in ‘Albatross’, ‘Winter’s Tale’, ‘This Beautiful Fantastic’, ‘Downton Abbey’, ‘Misfits’, and Labyrinth’.
Dorothy Atkinson
Religious campaigner Florence Scarnwell is portrayed by Dorothy Atkinson, an actress who is married to Martin Savage and has one child. Although she is best known for her work in theatre, Atkinson has also had many roles in film and television. Her television debut was in ‘London’s Burning’, while her film debut was in the 1997 film ‘Keep the Aspidistra Flying’. Atkinson has also had a role in the television series ‘Call the Midwife’, the TV film ‘Housewife 49′, and the film ‘Chatroom’.
Phillipa Bennett-Warner
Harriet Lennox is a former slave who married the plantation owner and came to England. She is played by Phillipa Bennett-Warner. This actress began her career in theatre in 1999. Her television debut was in a single episode of the medical drama ‘Holby City’ in 2002. Bennett-Warner has gone on to have small roles in many television productions, one of which was playing Ziggy Brown in eight episodes of ‘The Smoke’. She has also had roles in many films, including ‘Patient Zero’, ‘Wakefield’, ‘The Foreigner’, and ‘Johnny English Strikes Again’.
Kate Fleetwood
Kate Fleetwood plays Nancy Birch who is Margaret’s friend and neighbor. Fleetwood is best known for her career on stage, or which she has won multiple awards. In television, she has appeared in single episodes of multiple television series, although she has never had a leading role. She has also had many small roles in films, including ‘Les Misérables’, ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I’, ‘Philomena’, and ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’.
Holli Dempsey
Emily Lacey is a prostitute who leaves Margaret Wells’ brothel and goes to Lydia Quigley’s brothel instead. This character is portrayed by Holli Dempsey. This English actress is best known for her role in the film version of ‘Dad’s Army’. She has worked as an actress since 2010 and has had many television acting jobs. Most notably, she played Vicky in 10 episodes of ‘Derek’ between 2013 and 2014, and Maureen Mulligan in six episodes of ‘Breathless’ in 2013.
Douggie McMeekin
For Douggie McMeekin, his role in ‘Harlots’ is his biggest role so far. He is playing Charles Quigley, the son of Lydia Quigley, who enjoys spending time with his mother’s employees and has a particular fondness for Emily Lacey. Other than appearing in ‘Harlots’, McMeekin has had roles in two television series, ‘Chernobyl’ in 2016 and ‘The Crown’ in 2019.
Danny Sapani
The character William North is played by Danny Sapani. William North is Margaret Wells’ partner, lover, and protector, and he was born as a free man in England. In the past, he has had roles in ‘Penny Dreadful’, Doctor Who’, ‘Misfits’, ‘Black Panther’, ‘The Crown’, and ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’. He is of Ghanaian descent and was born and raised in Hackney, London.
Eloise Smyth
Smyth plays Margaret’s younger daughter, Lucy Wells, who is an inexperienced prostitute who is just learning the trade. Playing this character is Smyth’s first major role in television. She also had a role in ‘The Frankenstein Chronicles’ in 2019, and she has a role in the 2017 film ‘How to Talk to Girls at Parties’.
Steven Robertson
Robertson is one of the actors who has a recurring role in ‘Harlots’, and he plays Robert Oswald. He began his career in 1992, and he is best known for playing Detective Sandy Wilson in the crime drama series ‘Shetland’. Robertson is also known for his roles in ‘Inside I’m Dancing’, ‘Being Human’, ‘Luther’, and ‘The Bletchley Circle’. In his personal life, he is married to Charlotte Allam. The couple has one daughter and they live in Hertfordshire, England.
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