The BBC's 2004 period drama North and South continues to captivate audiences with its epic romantic narrative and outstanding performances, placing it alongside Pride and Prejudice in terms of acclaim. Based on Elizabeth Gaskell's 1855 novel, the four-episode series followed Margaret Hale (Daniela Denby-Ashe) and her family after her father's departure from the church and their relocation northwards. They settled in an industrial town, where they met the Thorntons, a cotton mill-owning family. The series explored tensions around class and gender while depicting a developing romance between Margaret and the formidable mill owner John Thornton (Richard Armitage).
Daniela Denby-Ashe and Richard Armitage
Daniela Denby-Ashe headlined the series as Margaret Hale, whose life changes when her family must leave their home in Helstone, Hampshire. She has also appeared in EastEnders, My Family, Waterloo Road and Torchwood. Her most recent credited appearance was in the 2020 Belgian series Into the Night, after which she seems to have withdrawn from public view.
Richard Armitage took on the role of mill owner John Thornton. Following the drama, he has become a regular in Netflix's Harlan Coben adaptations, including Fool Me Once, Missing You, Stay Close and The Stranger. He recently appeared in ITV thriller Red Eye and Netflix's Obsession. His next role is in ITV's Winter alongside Annabel Scholey.
Tim Pigott-Smith and Lesley Manville
Tim Pigott-Smith played Margaret's father, Richard Hale. He died in 2017 following a heart attack, shortly before he was due to perform in Death of a Salesman. His final on-screen appearance was in the BBC adaptation of King Charles III. He was also known for V for Vendetta, Quantum of Solace and Gangs of New York.
Lesley Manville played Margaret's mother Maria Hale. She has continued to captivate viewers in Phantom Thread, which earned her an Oscar nomination, as well as The Crown, BBC's Mum, Harlots, Sherwood and Moonflower Murders. Last year, she featured in Ryan Murphy's Monster anthology alongside Charlie Hunnam.
Sinéad Cusack, Jo Joyner and Brendan Coyle
Sinéad Cusack played John's formidable mother, Hannah Thornton. She is married to Jeremy Irons and is the mother of Max Irons and politician Richard Boyd Barrett. Her nephew is Bridgerton star Calam Lynch, and her sisters are Sorcha Cusack and Niamh Cusack. Recent appearances include MotherFatherSon, Marcella and Napoleon.
Jo Joyner took on the role of Fanny Thornton before her part in EastEnders. She has appeared in No Angels, Ordinary Lies, The Interceptor and Ackley Bridge. She reunited with Armitage in Netflix's Stay Close and has since appeared in Shakespeare & Hathaway, Little Disasters and A Woman of Substance.
Brendan Coyle, before his Downton Abbey fame, played mill worker Nicholas Higgins. His other projects include Lark Rise to Candleford, Me Before You, Mary Queen of Scots, Riches and Requiem.
Anna Maxwell Martin, Pauline Quirke and Rupert Evans
Anna Maxwell Martin played Margaret's friend Bessy Higgins. She has gained praise for Line of Duty, Motherland, Star City and A Good Girl's Guide to Murder. Most recently, she took on the role of Sarah Nelson in Heartstopper Forever, replacing Olivia Colman.
Pauline Quirke, known for Birds of a Feather, played servant Dixon. Her credits include Emmerdale, Broadchurch and David Copperfield. In 2025, her husband Steve Sheen announced she was retiring from acting due to a dementia diagnosis received in 2021.
Rupert Evans played Margaret's brother Frederick Hale in a pivotal scene. He had previously worked with Denby-Ashe in My Family. His credits include Rockface, The Man in the High Castle, The Palace, World Without End and The Village. He has recently played Edmund Bridgerton in Netflix's Bridgerton, as well as appearing in the Charmed reboot, Gone and Disney+'s Rivals. Off-screen, he is the brother of radio DJ Tom Evans.
North & South is currently available to stream on U.
