William Hogarth’s A Harlot’s Progress & Marriage a la Mode

Jonathan Myerson, a celebrated TV and radio dramatist known for his works such as "The Republicans" and "Nuremberg" and "That Was Then," adds another feather to his cap with the series A Harlot’s Progress and its sequel Marriage a la Mode. A Harlot’s Progress, based on William Hogarth's iconic series of paintings, humorously fleshes out the tale of Moll Hackabout, a country girl who meets her downfall in the streets of London.

Series 1 begins one day in 1732, an impoverished portraitist abandons his classical training and sets out to paint the wicked tale of a country girl's downfall on the streets of London. It's a story which will lead him and his imaginary heroine, Moll Hackabout, to very different ends.

William Hogarth: Will Keen
Jean: Shella Reid
Moll: Liz White
London girl: Amelia Lowdell
London girl: Annabel Scholey
Mrs Needham: Rosemary Leach
Charteris: Crawford Logan
Gourlay: Gerard McDermott
Wagondriver: Stephen Critchlow
Giuseppe: Paul Reynolds
Solomon: Nickolas Grace
Bess: Amelda Brown
James: Ben Crowe
Dr Rock: Ben Crowe
Client: Geoffrey Beevers
Joshua: Geoffrey Beevers


Series 2 - Marriage a la Mode, is a continuation of Hogarth's narrative exploring the complexities of a marriage forged in the financial world. Both series brilliantly bring to life the stories within and behind Hogarth's famous engravings, combining historical insight with comedic flair.

William Hogarth: Will Keen
Jane Hogarth: Rebecca Johnson
Charles: Stephen Mangan
Emily Grubpump (Later Countess Squander): Anna Madeley
Grubpump: Robin Soans
Sylvester Silvertongue/ Sir Andrew: John Dougall
Old Squander: Sam Dale
Misaubin: Sam Dale
Mrs Wisebourne: Nichola McAulffle
Tyers: Anthony Glennon
Clarissa: Poppy Friar
Missus: Rachel Bavidge
Steward: Mark Straker
Simmy: Jasmine Callan
Little William: Jordan Clarke