The Hardacres stars Julie Graham and Claire Cooper reveal the importance of a women-led set and why the show is so needed today

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Julie Graham first gained recognition in 2000 with her role in Sally Wainwright’s At Home with the Braithwaites. Since then, she’s become known for her strong, funny, and relatable performances in shows like Benidorm, Shetland, and This City is Ours. Claire Cooper rose to fame playing Jacqui McQueen in Hollyoaks and later portrayed Anne Boleyn in Lucy Worsley’s Six Wives, as well as appearing in Kay Mellor’s In the Club. Now, the two actresses are teaming up as mother and daughter – Ma and Mary – in the second series of the historical drama The Hardacres.

Ma and Mary have a complicated relationship – it’s full of ups and downs, but also a lot of affection. The new series explores how their bond changes and evolves.

It’s true that mother-daughter relationships can be really tough. I’ve never bought into those perfect, always-supportive portrayals you sometimes see – they just don’t seem realistic. That’s why I appreciate the realistic conflict and tension between the characters Ma and Mary.

We’re getting along better this time, but we still have a playful, spirited dynamic. We still challenge each other, but in a fun way.

Claire and I playfully annoy each other whenever we get the chance, and those moments feel especially good when we’re both really feeling it. I consider her a friend, but sometimes I feel more like a mother figure to her.

What’s your relationship like with your own mother?

Julie Mine’s dead, so it’s great now.

Claire My mum’s awesome.

Does your on-screen chemistry come naturally or is it something you can manufacture?

For Claire, a real connection is essential. She feels Julie allows her to be herself and encourages her to try new things, even if they’re risky. She believes true friendships grow when people are honest and genuine with each other.

When playing characters who are feisty or have conflict, like Ma and Mary often do, it’s really helpful to genuinely like the person you’re acting with. The stronger your connection with them, the easier the challenging scenes become.

The Hardacres doesn’t glorify or idealize social class or wealth. Some might even see it as a direct contrast to shows like Downton Abbey.

What sets this work apart is that it was created by writers from working-class backgrounds – a perspective we don’t often see.

Tell us where you’re from and how you got into acting…

I grew up in a working-class family in West Yorkshire, and didn’t have any connections to the acting world besides my love for theatre. While drama school at Guildford School of Acting was expensive, I was fortunate enough to receive a scholarship. Even after graduating, it was a lot of hard work and constant auditions. I eventually found an agent and started getting TV roles, but it wasn’t a smooth path, and sometimes it still feels like I’m starting from scratch.

Growing up, my mum, Betty Webster, came from a really working-class background in Glasgow. She was a single parent, raising me in a small flat, and honestly, I was mostly raised by my amazing granny and aunties – these incredibly strong women really shaped me. Because my mum was an actress, getting into acting felt a little easier for me, like some doors were already open. But I always carried this worry that I only landed a certain role because of who my mum knew – it was a bit of a complex feeling, you know?

Any diversions along the way?

When I first started acting, I was often told to lose my Scottish accent and only audition using a standard English accent. This was typical advice given to actors with Scottish or working-class backgrounds, but it didn’t feel right to me – it felt like I’d have to pretend to be someone else. I decided to ignore that advice, and honestly, I don’t believe my accent has hindered my career at all.

How has the industry changed over the course of your career?

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Outside of the soaps, why do you think older women’s stories have been neglected by TV drama?

I don’t understand the reasoning behind this. They’re trying to sell to those women, so it would make so much more sense to include them and share their experiences.

Julie explains that historically, those in charge of choosing stories – often older white men – haven’t been interested in perspectives different from their own. However, she notes that powerful figures like Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman are now championing more diverse narratives, and that’s starting to make a difference. Personally, Julie refuses to take on roles simply to fulfill a diversity quota; she’s only interested in characters and stories that genuinely appeal to her.

Claire shared that she really enjoys working on sets with female leadership. She specifically mentioned the first season of ‘The Hardacres,’ where the director, writers, and producers were all women, creating a fantastic work atmosphere. However, she noted that this kind of setup is still uncommon.

Is that key to The Hardacres’s appeal?

Julie Yes, obviously it’s the women at the heart of it all.

Claire says the show is appropriate for the whole family to enjoy, which is something she and her husband, Emmett J Scanlan (who stars in the show Mobland), appreciate, as they can’t say the same about his other work. She also feels that shows like The Hardacres offer a welcome escape, especially with everything happening in the world.

Are you driven more by curiosity or ambition?

Most people think actors and directors are driven by a desire for success and fame, but that’s not usually the core of the work. For me, it’s all about learning and growing. Each project offers a chance to discover something new – whether it’s through the story itself, the people I collaborate with, or the experiences I gain along the way.

Claire Curiosity, definitely, but with a sprinkling of ambition.

The Hardacres season 2 begins on Thursday 14 May at 9pm on 5.

Authors

Gareth McLean

Let me tell you, after nearly three decades covering television, I’ve seen it all. I’ve reviewed thousands of shows, and as a feature writer, I’ve had the chance to sit down with everyone from legends like Liza Minnelli to… well, let’s just say a very wide range of personalities, including Jimmy Savile. And it wasn’t just reviewing and interviewing, either – I’ve even been on the other side of the camera and written scripts for TV myself.

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2026-05-04 19:35