The series focuses on Margaret Wells, who runs a brothel in 18th-century London and struggles to secure a better future for her daughters in an unpredictable environment.
On September 24, , Harlots was renewed for a third season, which premiered in the United States on July 10, , and in the UK the following day. In s London, women's opportunities for economic advancement are either through marriage or sex work.
The city's brothels are run by canny and determined businesswomen, such as Margaret Wells and Lydia Quigley, but there is a new morality on the rise. Religious evangelists demand the closure of brothels, and police are happy to launch brutal raids.
The show revolves around Wells' determination to improve her life and the lives of those in her "family" by moving her brothel to Greek Street in Soho to serve a wealthier clientele in Georgian society. Her move to Greek Street puts her into direct conflict with a rival madame, Lydia Quigley, for whom she had previously worked. Quigley operates an elite brothel in Golden Square that serves rich, influential people. On 26 May , it was announced that Hulu and ITV had given the co-production a programme order for a first series consisting of eight episodes.
The series was set to be written by Moira Buffini and based upon an original idea by Buffini and Alison Newman. Production companies involved with the series include Monumental Pictures. On 27 July , it was announced at the annual Television Critics Association summer press tour that the programme had been renewed for a second series.
