Harlots (2017–2019) User Reviews

Portrayal of black people in 1700's London

[kekrauss · 8/10 · 19 May 2017]

After the previous reviewer's tirade about including black people as just being PC and pandering, I was curious and did a little research of my own. According to an historian's article on the history of black people in Britain (which is near the top of google results for "black people in 1700's England) it seems the portrayal in Harlots is spot on. Everything from interracial couples in the lower classes to servants in aristocratic households and a lot of other interesting things I had no idea about.

So while I think his review has no value as a review of the show, it did inspire me to learn something new.

Thought Id hate it....very wrong!

[PanicStation · 9/10 · 26 April 2017]

I just wanted to say that this programme is so much better than I thought it would be. I actually care about the characters. I don't usually like full on sex scenes, but because of the subject matter it doesn't seem gratuitous. It's actually a very fascinating insight into 18th Century England, and seems that it was a very complicated lifestyle to live in a brothel as well as dangerous. I'm enjoying it. Give it a go.

Relatable characters and interesting story line

[elizrug · 9/10 · 22 May 2017]

I don't like shows full of fake pretty Hollywood actors. This series has beautiful women and men, maybe not in the fake Hollywood standards, which gives it so much more realness. The characters are complex in their different personalities without going overboard in their acting.

Though the show is about prostitues, there isn't an over-abundance of sex. It shows that sex is not the only thing that defines these women.

The story line is captivating, with intrigue and gossip, but it's not frivolous and hits on serious topics like race, sexuality, religion and motherhood.

I hope they continue this series.

Game of Brothels - Betrayal, Politics, Sex and Revenge in the Struggle to Become Queen of Whores

[PowerSheetAI · 9/10 · 14 April 2017]

Surprisingly addicting. Game of Throne-esque betrayal, alliances, bribery, coercion, corruption, politics, sex, and revenge.

Harlots surprisingly inspires empathy for the plights of the heroines - the brothel madam and her youngest daughter. You really root for the madam's struggle to keep her girls from harm and rise up through the ranks of brothels to move up in station and compete with the Queen of Whores.

Harlots touches on racial and class issues and even features the occasional gigolo, during a time in which one if five women in old London make their livings as whores. It shows how religious zealots, the law, and the masses can be manipulated as pawns in the political, carnal, racial, and socioeconomic power struggle that is the Game of Brothels...

A Delectably Binge-Worthy Series!!!

[hylandnwolf · 24 July 2018]

Indulge yourself and watch this series!!! The rating doesn't do it any justice! I found that I became further enthralled as the show progressed. Brilliant acting, with a fabulous cast. A very well written series indeed.

Love. Love. Love it!

[dtlacey78 · 10/10 · 21 August 2020]

Sex. Drinking. Swearing. Romance. Comedy. Tear-inducing drama. I'm totally in love with this series. Chock full of throughly loveable characters and equally detestable characters. The whole cast are 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. I urge everyone to guve this a go. I guarantee you will be hooked after the first episode. I'm holding out for series 4 to be commissioned by a major network soon!

Harlots..

[beelee-77560 · 10/10 · 19 April 2017]

I created an account just to review this show. I love it! It's exciting, captivating, dramatic, funny, just all around a great show. I would have to say Harlots is my favorite original series by far. I don't want to watch documentaries about brothels in the olden days. I want entertainment, which is exactly what Harlots offers. I can't wait to see what will happen in future seasons!

British Series Not For PBS

[DKosty123 · 8/10 · 31 January 2021]

If you know the meaning of Harlot, it is no surprise this is not really family viewing content. Set in 1763 London, England we have the wealthy and the poor working women trying to work their way up into nobility. Of course the work is physical and calls for much foreplay. We have the feud between Quigley and Welles. Even though they are battling, they are also connected by strong life long ties, bound together with love and hate for one another.

There's lots of evil things happening with the feud and then when you add to it the corruption of the judges and the corruption of the rich, it makes for quite a pot boiling brew. Many characters have things going on much beyond the sexual business moments which actually a relief from the plotting, murder and mayhem. The cast is all powerful in their roles almost everyone gets to shine here.

This show really is good at drawing the stark lines between the classes in London in this era. The period costumes and sets are amazing. The plots draw you in at once and as for humor, while there is some broad strokes at it,, there really is very little. Times and circumstances are so serious. Deaths are running rampant and murders are often heinous. Times this era is set in also show the mysteries of life which do not have solutions.

This is an era of piss pots, harlots, kinky governors, lords, and the poor. The Madams of both Wells and Quigley are powerful, but their power is shaky and often threatened by circumstance. Dead people get lost in a maze of misplaced ineffective government bureaucrats when their bodies are found at all. One top dog basically tries to procure young virgin women in order to kill them.

If you start to binge this be sure your ready for an adult experience but not exactly the one you'd expect. There is flesh here and kinky relationships but all of them take the back seat to scandals which pile on on top of another until there are so many people involved there is danger when they encounter each other. Good stuff for sure and each season finale is quite good at closing some doors and opening other ones.

The tradition of the English being more accepting of race is shown here. There is also the noble who is kidnapping blacks to send them to slavery in America. The sex trade has it's own legs spread for all to see. Cheeky

A great binge watch - 'Eastenders' in cosplay

[simmsmaggy · 7/10 · 3 November 2020]

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. So you can choose to be a geeky historian, and look for the bits to criticise, or just sit back and enjoy it. The screenplay seems to slip rather in series three which involved so many doors being knocked on in one episode that I got dizzy.

Gets better and better, with excellent cast performances.

[ericwilson10 · 8/10 · 13 May 2017]

I started watching this, as I had no other series lined up, saw a trailer and quite like Samantha Morton as an actress. The first episode left me a little nonplussed, as I thought it seemed a little more lightweight than I was expecting. Perhaps even gratuitous and shallow. But I stuck with it, and by episode three was hooked. Easily as good as Peaky Blinders, which is high praise indeed from an avid watcher. The characters seem to develop well and the casting is excellent. The portrayal of the Bawds from both Samantha Morton and Lesley Manville are magnificent, and a superb supporting cast brings the piece to life. It seems odd that ITV in the UK have hidden this gem away as I can only assume that it is an expensive series to produce. A mainstream channel release is surely overdue, and a budget increase for the second series must be imminent.

Well-Written Period Drama That Loses Steam

[earthboli · 7/10 · 18 July 2017]

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.

Rival whorehouses battle each other out to be the top house in London, with plenty of sharp tongued-lines, none-too-romantic depictions of sex, and here and there, hints of humor that break up this fierce drama. Sex is portrayed similarly as it is in HBO's "Girls": in all of its awkward and unromantic glory.

What will keep you watching is the secrets and twists, strong family ties, and heart-wrenching decisions that the women in this show have to make to survive. We are constantly reminded that no matter what, if women join men in marriage, they become legal property rather than human beings (strikingly similar message as found in The Handmaid's Tale, if I do say so). You sympathize with the characters who chose the path of harlotry as a bit of freedom and coin rather than be owned and controlled for the rest of their short lives. Overall, well-written, gritty, dark, but suspenseful and entertaining with a hint of humor.

Edit: That review was for season one, where they hinted a deeper romance between two women characters among other great storylines. Season two was great, but dropped the same-sex romance suddenly and inexplicably. Can't help but notice that sex scenes between men and women are graphic and plenty, but they shy away from showing more than women kissing each other as if we aren't allowed to see two women have sex because it's too risqué in 2019. Not fitting with the theme of the show AT ALL and makes me think there's some double standard there. Women's romantic relationships with each other are teased, never fleshed out. Wish they'd rethought that approach.

What also made me drop my review 3 stars is that in season 3, suddenly men are at the center of everything (two brothers who are new in town), and Charlotte, a feminist, empowered, bisexual, free woman gets hot and bothered for one of them, a man who treats women like property and is basically a misogynist, which makes no sense at all. The writers bombed this season hard, likely because they felt they needed to amp up the tension and drama and ran out of ideas. Also, a major character ends up leaving the show so they have to abruptly write that in. It was poorly done, and we didn't have enough of a powerful frontrunner to replace this character, so the rest of the season felt empty. I can understand why the show ended after season 3. Honestly, they should've ended it on a high note after season two rather than crashing and burning on the way out.

Good Original Program

[rustyhotchips12 · 8/10 · 28 April 2017]

SO far I have only watched 3 episodes but they were all watched in a row as I first just started watching to see if it was any good. Well 3 later and I am hooked. I think Harlots has some good writing and is not at all gratuitous in any way for a show about prostitution. People on here that are trashing it are probably holy rollers that are so uncomfortable with their own sexuality that they cant bother to see it done by others. Other than that I really started watching because of Jessica Brown Findlay. I really enjoyed her in Downton Abbey and was excited to see her in another television series. Well she has not disappointed. Neither has the rest of the cast. I will enjoy the rest of the season and future seasons to come. Very worth your time!!

Pretty good

[Headturner1 · 7/10 · 8 February 2021]

It's like someone copy and pasted the same reviews over and over re worded. Ok. I came upon this the other night with exhausting pretty much everything I thought I'd try this. I was surprised to see there were 3 seasons and I'd never heard of it and new it would be pretty good if they made 3 seasons. I started watching and was like wow. Before I new it I was 5 episodes in. I just finished all 3 last night. What I didn't like maybe spoilers:

the way they tried to make Kate a carbon copy of Charlotte. How some characters were there then they weren't. Unless I fell asleep??? What happened to the Preacher and her daughter??? The constable asked her to marry then? What did they do with Charlotte's body? I wasn't thrilled when I saw LIv Tyler but she did an ok job. I'm surprised she kept up with the accent. If you like this a better made series that's similar is Ripper Street ( has a madame running a house with the main theme solving murders). I thought season 2 went downhill from the first as well as 3 but I liked 3's ending better. Another critique was how darn dark a lot of season 3 was! Also I kept getting the men confused because so many look and acted alike with the freaken wigs! Didn't they only were them in formal settings or courts??? Any ways I won't go on about the music ( because reading that made me aware and pissed everytime they played any thanks to people on about it like a broken record! All and all it was a decent watch but it almost made me want to turn on Ripper Street throughout. Oh and I didn't like direction they took matgarets character. I figured she probably only signed on for 2 seasons but there she was ( with eyebrows from the fall) later and just didn't like that story line.I'll probably watch if they release a 4 but I won't run for it.

Treachery has killed the humor. Such a shame

[vicstevinson · 3/10 · 8 May 2017]

This series burst out of the gate with a tangle of limbs, questionable intentions and plenty of raunch. Unfortunately writers have taken this in the direction of treachery, and it has become a boring parade of sneers. Too many characters dying, too many mean spirited characters.

By the end of the fifth episode, HARLOTS has become mired in its confectionery wigs and dresses. Two houses full of characters and yet so few stories to tell. It feels like many wasted opportunities.

Series wonderful, music awful

[arbe10022 · 8/10 · 8 July 2019]

The writing, acting, sets, costume, and makeup are terrific. The music is time inappropriate. Terrible music.

Love it!!!

[lorilee32-1 · 10/10 · 19 April 2017]

I love the costumes and it is interesting to see the struggle of women in this era. You get attached to the characters and their struggle to survive in a society that doesn't favor those without money or class upbringing. There is so much struggle between the harlots and other houses of the day not to mention clashing with the religious groups and neighboring houses that are at odds. I feel for these individuals as there seems to be little means available to them other than selling their bodies.

Deliciously outsanding, so much more than sex

[barbaraproencataveira · 9/10 · 7 September 2018]

A few days ago i found myself bored and craving a period drama, I was looking for a movie when I came across Harlots and decided to give it a go. I was not disapointed at all. The reason why I think Harlots is so underrated is because it is a TV show about women to women. The fact that this story is about prostitutes may decieve us into thinking it will be a superficial show. Well we couldn't be more wrong about that, and the fact that that idea still crosses our mind is exactly the reason why a show like Harlots was needed. Centuries after this story we still find ourselfs judging other women based on their sexual past. If you are watching this show in hope to see some silly prostitutes with no brains then you might as well give up. The characters are sublime, interesting, smart, strong women. As the show went on i found myself falling in love over and over again with Charlotte Wells, she's simply superb. You can't help but love the forbidden love story of Violet and Amelia. And a few episodes in you'll find yourself feeling Margaret's pain and struggle of loving their daughters while managing a dangerous business. Lucy is the perfect the sweet inocent girl-next-door with a touch of a dark side. The cast is amazing and carries their characters beautifully through the story. (The dresses are breathtaking, may I add). This show is seductive, smart and deals with important timeless issues. So grab on a cup of tea and a blanket and get ready to binge watch Harlots. I promise, it's so much more than sex.

brilliant writing....absolutely delicious

[zohal-13239 · 10/10 · 10 July 2018]

I watched this first season 3 times so far. It's so good! The actors & actresses are actually good-looking (sorry but this is sometimes a big factor for me when I watch british shows). And the acting is great. The music is not genre-direct but still works well. The show is created a bit edgy, which I like. The best part for me is the writing! The writing is just amazing. The writer really knows how to illustrate both sleazy & holy, with varying degrees of comedy & wholeheartedness. Honestly, this is the closest I have ever heard of in a show where the writing and acting mimics the older generation of my female relatives when they talk amongst their own gender in a sexual-direct comedy form but, of course, this is boosted sexually 10xs. (I am not american-born, by the way- I am afghan born, uzbek ancestry, american raised) Great job, all you guys!

Original, but Fast becoming like 'Killing Eve' in 18th century London

[mgumsley · 7/10 · 11 September 2020]

When this series started, I really enjoyed the bawdy, campy fun and the over the top acting performances, but now we are well into Series 2 the obsession of these two brothel owners,, i.e. Lesley Manville and Samantha Morton, is beginning to wear a little thin. Don't get me wrong. The idea is great, showing a warts and all London full of too many bored rich men spending time and money with women of loose morals. There is nothing new about that, and the actors are great throughout, especially Manville and Morton. The series has also been interesting for the way it depicts the exploitation of women at the time and how ruthless men were. Actually in this series, the men are not really memorable at all, except for the black men, who are more kind hearted, and Lesley Manville's son who has an absolute ball romping with the prostitutes at both borothels. Beautiful costumes, lovely sets and wonderful period detail has kept my interest so far, but 'Killing Eve' somehow always lurks in the shadows when I watch this series.

One of the very best dramas I have seen, a 12 of 10

[Phantom_Duck · 10/10 · 8 October 2017]

Amazing, the story, the casting, the writing, aesthetics were stunning. Acting direction, set decoration, cinematography, editing were breathtaking. The costumes are above Oscar caliber. Sheer perfection from every department.

I sat down around 10 am on a Sunday morning to check out one episode, sounded interesting. I sat riveted to the screen for all eight episodes. Just could not stop. The story is full of interesting and dynamic characters, the multiple, interwoven plot lines are full of deliciously Machiavellian deception and intrigue.

This is real adult, intelligent fare. If you read a review that is less than an eight, the author is a moron. Fabulous film, worth an eight-hour session.

Best film I have seen since I can remember, and I found it by accident on a streaming site. Must see!

Who Was The Moron Who Decided To Use This Horrid Music?

[khinds-81991 · 7/10 · 13 March 2019]

This would easily have a 9 if not for the modern, out of place music. Everytime it starts I want to find the idiot who made the decision and slap some sense into them.

..don't discount it.. it is a guilty-pleasure

[bjarias · 8/10 · 26 April 2017]

..it's an interesting show.. part period piece.. part soft-core sex-soap.. but pretty much so far.. total fun.. and the cast across the board is pretty darn good, and with some very noteworthy leads.. the couple really jump out are Samantha Morton and Jessica Brown Findlay.. they both are just outstanding.. Morton has been around well before in numerous productions, always doing top-notch work.. as for JBF, this is a breakout role.. she is perfect and makes the absolute most of her character.. in today's world she'd be one of the highest paid, and most sought after hi-end escorts in the business.. after the first episode was not so sure how things would go.. but now seeing four parts, it's can't hardly wait for more.. to stay fresh they will need to remain very creative.. really hope they are up to the task.. it might be the worlds oldest profession, but throughout TV land, it's been one of the most difficult story-line genres to keep alive long term

Missed opportunities

[A-Pioneer-Without-A-Frontier · 7/10 · 13 June 2021]

...And so many of them. Everything felt so rushed, especially in the end, even though it took three seasons to finish a quite a simple story. No proper depth to most of the characters, there was no time at all for normal everyday life, because the mediocre writing depended on the constant chaos and catastrophe as a smoke screen.

Visually very appealing, and some very good actors, shame that the text and the plot weren't as good as them.

Love it

[chevyfreese · 21 April 2017]

Love the show! Love the era! Don't waste your time with other reviews just watch the show! It is about Borstals and 1780's. Beautiful women and Grand times! About a young virgin who has her virginity sold by her mother. It tells about the times, how women had to make their way and how slaves treated.

Complete Junk

[EdD5 · 3/10 · 3 January 2018]

Over the top and obvious in every way. Zero subtlety, weak caricatures and crudely modern sensibility in supposedly historical drama/farce/whatever. It's as if Deadwood had been written for and by 12-year-olds. Seeing Samantha Morton reduced to such pap is disheartening.