The Mill, a gritty period drama streaming on Channel 4 and Amazon Prime Video, has captivated audiences with its realistic portrayal of 1830s industrial Britain, earning it comparisons to Call the Midwife and a BAFTA nomination for lead actress Kerrie Hayes.
What Is The Mill About?
The series, developed by Emily Dalton using archival stories from the National Trust, is based on real-life textile mill workers at Quarry Bank Mill in Cheshire, England. It follows central characters Esther Price (Kerrie Hayes) and Daniel Bate (Matthew McNulty) through the 1830s and early 1840s, tackling themes such as child labour laws, workers' rights, and safety in millwork.
The show was written by John Fay and directed by James Hawes, spanning two seasons. Season one, set in 1833, consists of four episodes, while season two, released in 2014, moves the story from 1838 to 1842 with six episodes. Despite critical acclaim, Channel 4 cancelled the series after season two, leaving the story unfinished.
Critical Acclaim and Audience Reaction
The Mill has drawn widespread praise. One IMDB user review states: "The Mill is a captivating historical series illustrating the draconian conditions experienced by the working classes in the Cotton Mills. It is exceptionally well written, casted, directed, filmed and delivered by a fine array of actors."
Another viewer called it a "10 star series," adding: "It addresses the kind of oppression women, children and the poor have faced throughout time. The acting is superb, the writing intelligent and the cinematography gorgeous."
Hayes was nominated for a BAFTA Award for Best Leading Actress for her performance, further underscoring the show's quality.
Why Fans Are Demanding More
The cancellation has left viewers frustrated. One fan lamented: "Addictive and compelling. A wonderful insight into life of a community of mill workers. So disappointed to hear there are to be no more seasons. Leaving the story unfinished sadly." Another wrote: "Bring The Mill back for Season 3! This is so unfair. Gritty and hard to watch at parts but I absolutely loved the characters."
The series stars Kerrie Hayes, Matthew McNulty, Donald Sumpter, Barbara Marten, Jamie Draven, Andrew Lee Potts, Rosilyn Ann Southgate, Katherine Rose Morley, Holly Lucas, and Sope Dirisu.
Where to Watch
The Mill is available to stream for free on Channel 4 or with a subscription on Amazon Prime Video, offering an authentic and gripping look at life during the Industrial Revolution.
