Why You Need To Watch BBC’s New Drama The Gallows Pole

There are plenty of great BBC shows that we can’t wait for this year, like the highly anticipated series 2 of Time, The Tourist follow-up Boat Story, and music series Champion, but the best of the year may have already been released. The Gallows Pole, which debuted at the end of May, is one of the most interesting TV series of 2023 so far. If it’s flown under your radar, it’s seriously worth taking a look. The gripping period drama is written by This Is England creator Shane Meadows, and follows the mysterious David Hartley, who leads a gang known as the Cragg Vale Coiners in a counterfeiting empire.

The Gallows Pole Plot

The three-part series is set in Yorkshire during the 18th century, as the industrial revolution is underway, leaving several small towns struggling to find income. There’s eye-catching cinematography, rough yet authentic feeling period costumes, and some brilliant writing.

Based on true events, the story charts how David Hartley, a real life figure, rose to become the leader of a group of weavers and land workers based in Cragg Vale, making money illegally with counterfeit coins. David, played by Michael Socha, is the central character of both the show and Benjamin Myers’ novel by the same name. He’s been seriously injured after a fight in Birmingham, and is stalked by mysterious figures known as The Stag Men, who seem to be an ominous sign that death is approaching. It’s his arrival back in Cragg Vale, though, that sets in motion the formation of the Coiners, with the village becoming desperate to pull itself out of its slump.

The locals follow David in his idea of counterfeiting coins by “clipping” the edges of them and melting the metal down, however, their leader’s earlier disappearance and somewhat erratic behaviour, including claiming to see visions of strange creatures, means that not everyone trusts him.

Growing feelings of resentment towards the upper classes, who have industrialised the villagers’ land and stolen their income, means that David soon becomes their “King”. Other characters key to the story are Grace (Sophie McShera), who had been the object of David’s affections, and his brothers, chiefly Isaac (Samuel Edward Cook).

As they start to build their counterfeiting empire, the locals know that they will almost certainly be hanged by the authorities if they’re found out – how long can they keep their business hidden? The only way to know for sure is to watch, and you won’t be disappointed.

Watch The Gallows Pole Trailer

You can watch all episodes of The Gallows Pole on iPlayer now