Jericho is a British period drama television series set in the 1870s in the Yorkshire Dales. The show follows the lives of the residents of a shantytown called Jericho, which has been built to house the workers who are constructing a viaduct for the railway. The show explores themes of class, family, love, and survival.
The main character of the series is Annie Quaintain, a recently widowed mother who arrives in Jericho with her two children in tow. She begins a new life in the town, managing a boarding house and trying to make ends meet. Along the way, Annie befriends several of Jericho's residents, including Johnny Jackson, a navvy with a mysterious past, Charles Blackwood, a wealthy landowner who falls for Annie, and Martha, an older woman who runs the local pub.
As the series progresses, tensions rise in Jericho as the construction of the viaduct hits unexpected obstacles, and rivalry between the workers and the landowners grows. The arrival of outsiders, including a detective investigating a murder and a group of gypsies, further complicates things. In the midst of all this, Annie's personal life takes unexpected turns, as she navigates her growing feelings for Charles Blackwood and her desire to protect her children from the dangers of living in Jericho.
Overall, Jericho is a compelling and nuanced drama that offers a glimpse into a rarely-seen corner of Victorian England. The performances are strong, particularly that of Jessica Raine as Annie, and the writing is engaging and well-crafted. Fans of historical dramas will find much to enjoy in this series.
