The Mill, a gripping historical drama set during the Industrial Revolution, is currently available to stream for free on Channel 4. The series, which originally aired in 2013 and 2014, is based on real accounts of textile workers at Quarry Bank Mill in Cheshire.
Created by Emily Dalton using archives from the National Trust property, the show blends historical figures with fictional characters. The first series is set in the 1830s, while the second takes place between 1838 and 1842. Despite critical acclaim, Channel 4 cancelled the show after two seasons, leaving the story unfinished.
The plot follows Esther Price (Kerrie Hayes), a young mill worker who fights for justice, and Daniel Bate (Matthew McNulty), a progressive engineer with a troubled past. The drama tackles workers' rights, mill safety, child labour, and political reform. Filming took place at Quarry Bank Mill, Chester, and Styal village, with interiors shot in Manchester.
Viewers have praised the series on social media, with one IMDb reviewer calling it "addictive and compelling" and another describing it as "brilliant and very gritty." Fans have expressed disappointment that no further seasons were made.
