ITV Encore

Harlots follows Margaret Wells (Oscar-nominated Samantha Morton), a woman who struggles to reconcile her roles as mother and brother owner in the family drama that offers a new take on 18th century London’s most valuable commercial activity – sex.

“In 1760s London there were brothels on every corner run by women who were both enterprising and tenacious,” says Executive Producer, Alison Owen. “History has largely ignored them, but their stories are in turn outrageous, brutal, humorous and real.”

Set in London in 1901, the show stars Stephen Mangan (Episodes, Green Wing) as Sherlock Holmes creator Arthur Conan Doyle and Michael Weston (House M.D., The Dukes of Hazard) as illusionist Harry Houdini.

The quick-witted duo team up to solve mysteries that the Metropolitan police cannot crack.

Despite being the creator of the world's greatest detective, Arthur Conan Doyle is well known for his belief in the paranormal. 

Stephen Mangan will star as Sherlock Holmes author Arthur Conan Doyle in the ten part drama, alongside Michael Weston, who will play escape artist Harry Houdini.

On 18 September 2016, Steve November has a problem. At 9:00pm that night, the slot arrives in ITV’s schedule that would normally be filled by the season premiere of Downton Abbey.

As Director of Drama for the ITV network, November has to find a replacement – Downton is ending, with the last ever episode to air this coming Christmas Day. And, given Downton’s blockbuster ratings performance, it’s going to be a fiendishly difficult act to follow.