SBS On Demand: Harlots

SBS On Demand today premieres a new UK period drama Harlots.

The ITV series which stars Samantha Morton as a brothel madam in 18th century England is inspired by “The Covent Garden Ladies” by Hallie Rubenhold.

The 8 part series premiered in the UK in March and has been renewed for a second season.

SBS On Demand General Manager, Abigail Thomas, said: “SBS On Demand experienced its best performing month in July, drawing more than 30 million chapter views. We’re ensuring we continue to build on our unique programming, delivering premium international drama and film for Australians to stream anytime, anywhere, on a device of their choice.”

Starring award-winning actresses Samantha Morton, Lesley Manville OBE, and Jessica Brown Findlay, and written by acclaimed playwright and screenwriter, Moira Buffini (Jane Eyre, Tamara Drewe), Harlots is set against the cosmopolitan backdrop of 18th century Georgian London and follows the story of the formidable Margaret Wells (Morton) and her daughters as she struggles to reconcile her responsibilities as a mother with her job as a brothel owner.

Harlots premieres as part of a wider SBS On Demand period drama and film collection, Bodice Rippers, which features vibrant series such as French-language Maison Close (Anne Charrier, Valerie Karsenti, Jemima West), Outlander season two (Caitriona Balfe, Tobias Menzies, Sam Heughan), and Versailles season two (George Blagden).

The collection also boasts the premiere of renowned French-language period film Madame Bovary (starring Mia Wasikowska), and includes French films The Princess of Montpensier (Melaine Thierry, Gaspard Ulliel), Lady Chatterley (Marina Hands), House of Pleasures, Gilles’ Wife, English films A Dangerous Method (Keira Knightley, Michael Fassbender, Viggo Mortensen), Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (Ben Whishaw, Alan Rickman, Dustin Hoffman) and Greek-language film Brides.

The curated collection complements SBS On Demand’s exclusive and multilingual crime drama offering – the Crime Time collection – which sees the premiere of an international crime drama each Thursday throughout July, August, and September.