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Harlots head to BBC2

Jessica Brown Findlay in Harlots

BBC2 has acquired all three seasons of Harlots, the period drama that premiered in the UK on ITV Encore in 2017, from ITV Studios (ITVS).

Created by playwright and screenwriter Moira Buffini (Jane Eyre, Tamara Drewe) and Alison Newman (EastEnders, Call the Midwife), Harlots is set in 18th century Georgian London and follows brothel owner Margaret Wells as she juggles her work with raising her daughters.

Produced by ITVS-owned Monumental Pictures for ITV Encore, which went off air in 2018, and US streamer Hulu, the 24×50′ series stars Lesley Manville, Samantha Morton, Jessica Brown Findlay and Liv Tyler.

Sue Deeks, BBC head of programme acquisition, said: “Aided by a truly magnificent cast, Harlots brings 18th century London to life with enormous style, wit, intelligence and humour.”

Alison Carpenter, Debra Hayward and Alison Owen exec produced the show, which was cancelled by Hulu after three seasons last month. Seasons one and two will air back to back on BBC2 later this year, while the third run will air at a later date.

Harlots has also previously been made available in the UK on Lionsgate-backed SVoD service StarzPlay.

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