TV
Hard Times is a four-part British television drama miniseries based on Charles Dickens' 1854 novel of the same name, a survey of English society and a satirisation of 19th century social and economic conditions. Wealthy, retired Coketown merchant Thomas Gradgrind devotes his life to a philosophy of rationalism, self-interest, and fact. He raises his eldest children, Louisa and Tom, according to this philosophy and never allows them to engage in fanciful or imaginative pursuits.
Last Episode Aired
1977-11-15
S1E4 — Episode 4
Louisa's breakdown forces her father to reevaluate his worldview. From love for Louisa, Sissy delivers Harthouse an ultimatum. From rage, Bounderby delivers a different ultimatum to Louisa and Gradgrind. The town's search for Blackpool ends in tragedy. When the circus returns to Coketown, it is the setting wherein truth can finally emerge and Gradgrind can find hard-won wisdom.
Where to Watch
Stream
Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video with Ads
Shout! Factory Amazon Channel
Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video with Ads
Shout! Factory Amazon Channel
Availability data provided by JustWatch via TMDB
Billed Cast
Patrick Allen
Thomas Gradgrind
Timothy West
Josiah Bounderby
Jacqueline Tong
Louisa Gradgrind
Richard Wren
Tom Gradgrind
Rosalie Crutchley
Mrs Sparsit
Michelle Dibnah
Sissy Jupe
Check-In Log
Episode Watch Tracker
Check off episodes as you watch (saved in browser — sign in anytime to sync).
Loading season episodes...
Spoiler-Safe Screening Room
Episode & Series Discussions 0
Dedicated threads unlock on each episode's premiere day. Inline [spoiler] tags stay blurred until clicked.
Join the Screening Room
Sign in to post episode reactions, fan theories, and upvote community dispatches.
Loading discussion thread...
Audience Ledger
Community Micro-Reviews
Concise 1-sentence dispatches from DidItDrop members.
No micro-reviews yet — rate 1–4★ above and log the first 1-sentence take.
Double Feature
More Like This
Recommended titles paired with Hard Times.
