Harlots (S2:E1-2) New Law, Old Profession

Previously: Harlots Season 1 Review

by Nathaniel R

Jessica Brown Findlay, the jewel of "Harlots"

Season 2 kicked off with two disruptive episodes back-to-back, throwing previous power hierarchies into disarray. A relentless new Justice throws the once powerful Lydia Quigley (Lesley Manville) into prison which sets off several plotlines including a new brothel run by Quigley's son Charles (Dougie McMeeken) and Emily Wells (Holli Dempsey). The show is moving with such speed that it's difficult to keep up with these working women. But we shall try since we want everyone watching this show to ensure a third season! The actressing is even more involving the second time around with new cast members, new alliances, and the masterstroke of adding the undersung Liv Tyler to the cast.

A quick review of the first two episodes before the fourth hits tonight so we'll have to have another post soon on episodes 3 and 4. It's so tough to keep up with these working girls and the 'culls' who can't get enough of them...

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Harlots - Season One Review

by Nathaniel R

Morton and Manville face off every week in "Harlots"

The underdiscussed Hulu show Harlots has returned for a second season. Since we didn't cover the first (having discovered it so late) but want to cover the show going forward here is a quickie through the first season with our coin pouch out to tip the ladies. Harlots is not without a few wrenching dramatic moments but it's a helluva lot less depressing than The Handmaid's Tale. But back to the show in which women have more power of their own bodies, even if they're self-exploiting them for meager economic gains or survival in a sexist world. If you aren't watching Harlots, please do. We really think it's right up the alley of TFE readers. There be much actressing!

But if you need more info before you watch here's a quick synopsis / review of Season 1 (without much in the way of spoilers)...

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Why did no one tell us about "Harlots"?

There's so much TV these days and so many streaming channel options that it's easy to miss all sorts of juicy series. Case in point: Hulu's "Harlots" which pits Oscar-nominated geniuses Lesley Manville and Samantha Morton against each other as brothel madames at war in late 18th century London. 

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Lesley Manville isn't done with awards shows just yet.

by Nathaniel R

Did you know that Lesley Manville (Phantom Thread) is currently treading the boards in London? She's nominated for a Best Actress Olivier Award for playing Mary Tyrone in the Eugene O'Neill drama Long Day's Journey Into Night (a classic role which already scored an Oscar nod for Katharine Hepburn and a Tony for Jessica Lange). Her last performance is the day of the Oliviers (April 8th) after which she presumably gets a wee break before coming back to America in May. She and Jeremy Irons will do the same show again at BAM in Brooklyn for American audiences. 

Lesley's "Mary" is up against Imelda Staunton's "Martha" in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?! CLASH OF THE EPIC ROLES. If Imelda loses that contest to Lesley (they've both won Oliviers before) she still has another chance to win. She's double-nominated as she's also up for Best Actress in a Musical for Follies. Complete list of Olivier nominations here. 

Red Carpet: Supporting Actress. (Plus: Octavia's Amazing Record!)

by Nathaniel R

Manville, Janney, Blige, Metcalf, and Spencer (click to embiggen)

Just last week we held a Smackdown honoring these five women and a follow up conversation on the podcast, too. Laurie Metcalf emerged as the Smackdown winner with Lesley Manville as a close runner-up. The readers poll emerged with the same winner but a different runner-up. Like so...

TRIVIA AND COMMENT-PARTY QUESTIONS AFTER THE JUMP...

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