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Powerful historical drama series, based on the lives of real people, telling the story of young 19th-century apprentices taking their lives into their own hands for the first time.
2014
Four years on from the Poor Law Amendment Act, impoverished economic migrants from the south of England start to arrive at Quarry Bank Mill.
Esther comes of age and leaves the apprentice house, but not before signing her contract of employment. Esther's new home is a small, dirty cellar in Styal village, but it gives her new freedom.
The Chartist rally at Kersal Moor is approaching and Daniel does his best to gather the workers despite a lacklustre response.
After a difficult labour, Esther finally gives birth to a healthy baby boy. She returns to work the next day but struggles to keep up. John Howlett and his wife Rebecca receive tragic news.
With the country in recession, William Greg is forced to slash his workers' wages. Daniel urges his colleagues to withdraw their labour, but can they afford to go unpaid during a strike?
The second series reaches its climax. There's a violent confrontation between the striking workers and the special constables, while Peter is desperate to find out the truth about Dominica.
2013
Just before dawn the bell wakes the young apprentices for another 12-hour shift at Quarry Bank Mill. Charlie Crout forces Miriam to leave the factory floor and his absence leads to an accident.
Esther Price arrives at court after assaulting her overseer, Charlie Crout. On the assumption that she will be found guilty, Mr Timperley is sent to the workhouse to collect a replacement apprentice.
Esther and Lucy head for Liverpool, chased by Timperley, but discover that Lucy's sister Catherine never returned to the workhouse.
Lucy and Esther are convinced that Mr Timperley is responsible for Catherine's disappearance. They're determined to expose him but are blocked at every turn.
Kerrie Hayes
Esther
Matthew McNulty
Daniel Bate
Holly Lucas
Susannah Catterall
Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù
Peter
Katherine Rose Morley
Lucy
Ciarán Griffiths
Matthew Boon
Mark Frost
John Howlett
Sacha Parkinson
Miriam Catterall
Laura Main
Rebecca Howlett
Barbara Marten
Hannah Greg
