The Hardacres series 2 ending: Vindictive Lady Hansen's fate, shock departure of one family member, and what it means for S3
"Lady Imelda Hansen waged a war on the Hardacre family"
The Hardacres series 2 delivered the biggest on-screen cow we’ve seen for a long time, but we’re happy to say the ending saw her get exactly what she deserved.
In the first series of the Channel 5 period drama, viewers saw the Hardacre family come up against the superiority of their neighbour Emma Fitzherbert. But she was NOTHING compared to Emma’s mother, who turned up to ‘visit’ in series 2.
And, by visit, we mean “wage a war” on the Hardacres. The vindictive snob Lady Imelda Hansen decided to tear down the wholesome family anyway she could. Why? Just because they weren’t born and bred rich like her.
But for all her wealth and ‘breeding’, Lady Imelda Hansen didn’t stand a chance against the Hardacres. So what happened at the ending of The Hardacres series 2, and what does it mean for series 3.
***Warning: spoilers from the ending of The Hardacres series 2 ahead***
What happened in the season finale of The Hardacres series 2?
The penultimate episode of The Hardacres series 2 ended on Lady Imelda Hansen finally showing her cards – literally – to Ma Hardacre. She’d duped her into losing at Bridge and could barely keep the spiteful smile from her face. But this wasn’t some petty parlour games – Ma had wagered her house.
As the final episode began, viewers prepared for an almighty clash between the Hardacres and Imelda Hansen. And, of course, we wanted to see that malicious old bint put in her place once and for all.
At first, we were horrified when it appeared Ma had bet Hardacre Hall on a card game – and lost. But Ma ain’t no fool! She had, in fact, wagered to deeds to their OTHER house in Yorkshire. A much less grand affair. Even better, the lodgers there had a protected tenancy for life. So Imelda’s victory was hollow.
Don't miss a single story! Add us as a Preferred Source in Google for all your television news
However, Lady Imelda Hansen had shown her true colours. She had refused to cancel the debt, calling it “honour between ladies”. Finally baring her fangs, she told Mary and Ma: “Your family has been living under an illusion. It was necessary to dispel it.”
Imelda wanted the Hardacre family to leave the house by whatever means she had at her disposal. And tragically for Joe, she had one more card up her sleeve. Trust us, this woman was no lady.
What did Lady Imelda Hansen do to the Hardacre family?
Viewers know that Adella Fitzherbert had been feeling a little out of sorts during series 2. Not least because her bestie Liza Hardacre appeared to win the love of a very suitable and rich man without even trying. (He didn’t last long, though, he wasn’t suitable and he wasn’t rich and was soon chased from Hardacre Hall by Ma’s gun).
When Liza saw Harry slip a letter under the door of his tutor Arthur Lewis, she acted on instinct and basically stole it. Out of character for her, but then she did have her grandmother dripping poison in her ear.
Tragically for Harry, the letter was a declaration of his feelings for his tutor. It began: “My dearest Arthur, I have developed feelings towards you of a romantic nature.”
Of course, in the 1890s, homosexuality was seen as “indecent” and an “abomination”. Something Lady Imelda was quick to capitalise on when she got hold of the letter.
She arrived at Hardacre Hall spitting venom like a viper, and poor Harry – just 18 years old – was her prey. She told the family: “A scandalous letter has come into my possession, the content an outrage to public decency.”
Lady Imelda Hansen went on to say that Harry’s “wicked thoughts about another man were in flagrant violation of the law”. She threatened to “hand over the letter to the Magistrate” if the Hardacre family didn’t “leave the house immediately”. Of course, this would mean possible prosecution for poor Harry.
Did Lady Imelda Hansen bring down the Hardacre family?
As Ma Hardacre succinctly put it: “Imelda has waged a war on our family, and we need a battle plan to stop our Harry from going to prison.”
But, in the end, the family didn’t need to do anything. It was Adella Fitzherbert who took control of the situation and showed her grandmother true grit. Blaming herself entirely for Harry’s sorry situation, she told her mum Emma: “We have to do something. It’s monstrous to destroy Harry’s life. I’d never forgive myself.”
The answer? She proposed a cunning plan, one that would silence her grandmother once and for all. Adella and Harry became engaged. This, of course, would silence any rumours about Harry’s sexuality. It would also bind the Hardacres to the Hansen/Fitzherberts for life.
Adella’s bravery and self-sacrifice inspired Emma Fitzherbert to do something heroic too. She finally stood up to her mother. Asking for Harry’s letter, she handing it back to Harry. Turning to her mother, she said: “You poisoned my life, and it ends now. I want you gone from my house, and you can take your poison dowry with you.”
Ding dong the witch is dead! Lady Imelda Hansen left with her tail between her legs, hopefully never to be seen again. But, as a character, she was fantastic. And we applaud actress Michele Dotrice for the portrayal.
The future of the Hardacre family, and Joe’s dreams of America
The Hardacre family fortunes has its ups and downs in series 2. And Joe and his dad Sam continued to clash over the running of the business.
The entire country was suffering from a “severe recession”, profits were down. The price of food was going up and people were struggling to get by – sound familiar?
Sam decided to turn the family herring business into general stores, saying: “We buy in bulk, and we pass the savings to the customer.” And the business was a success, despite a few rookie mistakes by Joe.
After a near-fatal brush with Russian Flu, Sam wanted to set his family for the future – incase he wasn’t in it. He suggested a family collaboration, with Joe and Liza running the business together. But Joe, feeling pushed out, told his dad he was “done”.
He subsequently announced he that he was moving to America with his wife Besty and their baby. As more and more were people were trying their luck in America, the “New World”, he decided to join them. It was a bitter blow for Sam, but the series ended with him telling Joe he was proud of him.
As the series ending, Joe and Betsy started a new chapter. And, in turn, the remaining Hardacres started a new chapter without him.
What else happened in The Hardacres ending?
- Mary ran for a place at the school board election – thanks to support from unlikely ally Emma Fitzherbert. Mary had been left devastated that her school was shut down, once again thanks to the nasty Imelda Hansen. But everyone who had benefitted from the school turned up to support her. And that included Emma, who had enjoyed teaching at the school, and saw a different side to Mary while doing so.
- Harry’s dream of going to Oxford seemed to lay just in the horizon. He was offered an interview for a place at the prestigious university. Of course, his tutor Arthur Lewis said goodbye to Harry and wished him well. He left Hardacre Hall to limit the damage after the bombshell letter.
Is there a series 3 of The Hardacres?
Channel 5 has not yet confirmed a series 3 of The Hardacres, but we’re pretty confident they will do soon. After all, series 2 was arguably better than the first, with the family embedded in Hardacre Hall and trying to do their best for the community. Of course, the period drama shows that having money has its challenges too.
Series ended with plenty of loose threads to follow up in a possible series 3. We’re keen to see more of the new and blossoming friendship between Mary and Emma, as well as the results of the school board elections.
After Liza’s heartache at the hands of conman Captain Edward Blackwood, we’d like to see her find love. And preferably with the rather lovely man RIGHT UNDER HER NOSE. If she doesn’t realise that the educated, handsome and eligible Callum Saunders is besotted with her, then she needs to get herself down to the 1890s equivalent of Specsavers!
Series 3 would also catch up with Joe in the States, and the running of the family business in Yorkshire. Watch this space for more news when we get it.
Read more: The Hardacres series 2 filming locations and if you can visit the stunning Hardacres Hall
