The second season of Hulu’s “Harlots” ended at somewhat of a definitive mark, give or take a few unanswered questions. Luckily, though, Hulu plans on giving us both more answers and the dramatic trials and tribulations of 18th-century London bawdy houses. The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed that “Harlots” will be returning for a third season.
Inspired by accounts of real women, “Harlots” follows brothel owner Margaret Wells (Samantha Morton, “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”). Margaret perpetually grapples with the repercussions of teaching her daughters, Charlotte (Jessica Brown Findlay, “Downton Abbey”) and Lucy (Eloise Smyth, “The Frankenstein Chronicles”) her trade whilst clashing with a rival house led by Lydia Quigley (Lesley Manville). All in all, “Harlots” is a women’s world, and the men are just living in it.
Such is also the case behind the camera. From its beginnings, “Harlots” has prided itself on an all-female creative team. Creators Moira Buffini (“Jane Eyre”) and Alison Newman (“EastEnders”) exec produce alongside Alison Owen (“Saving Mr. Banks”), Debra Hayward (“Atonement”), and Alison Carpenter (“Younderland”).
Season 2 featured female directors Jill Robertson, Philippa Langdale (“Eastenders”), and Coky Giedroyc, who most recently directed the adaptation of Caitlin Moran’s “How to Build a Girl” starring Beanie Feldstein. “Harlots'” writers’ room is also exclusively female.
Exec producer Owen has consistently stressed that the show’s ultimate goal is to focus on and celebrate the female gaze. “We were determined to make something different,” she said. “Our hope from the beginning was, ‘Everything from the whore’s eye view.’”
Morton recently signed on to AMC’s “The Walking Dead” as a series regular. She is set to return to “Harlots,” but there is little word on how extensive her role will be.
