Watch Lilies

Lilies is a period drama set in the 1920s in Liverpool, England. It follows the lives and struggles of the Moss family, a working-class Catholic family, particularly the three Moss sisters: Iris, May and Ruby. The drama is created by Heidi Thomas, who is also known for her work on Call the Midwife and adaptations of novels by Louisa May Alcott.

The series starts with the death of the Moss family's father, leaving the mother, Bridget, to take care of the family. Soon after, the first world war ends, and the family has to adapt to a new way of living in changing times. The show covers themes such as grief, loss, poverty, domestic violence, love, and hope.

Catherine Tyldesley plays the role of Iris Moss, the eldest sister, who is determined to keep her family together and her siblings' spirits high despite the challenges they face. She is portrayed as a strong and opinionated character who fights for what she believes is right with a strong sense of morality. She is also an aspiring writer who dreams of breaking free from her working-class background and making a name for herself in the literary world.

May, played by Leanne Rowe, is the middle sister who is more reserved and pragmatic than Iris. She is practical and responsible, always taking care of the younger siblings and helping her mother with the household chores.

Ruby, played by Kerrie Hayes, is the youngest and most ambitious Moss sister. She dreams of becoming a singer and escaping their working-class life. However, she also struggles with her defying nature and often lands herself in trouble.

The Moss family is not without their fair share of troubles. For example, throughout the show, they face the pressure of poverty, with Bridget having to take up work as a cleaner and scrubbing floors to make ends meet. Additionally, the girls have to face the reality of unemployment, and they have to learn to navigate domestic abuse with the new men in their mother's life.

Apart from the family's struggles, the show also explores Liverpool's social conditions in the interwar period. The producers did an excellent job of highlighting the vast difference in social class by showing the effects of wealth and poverty on the city's inhabitants.

The Moss family's Catholic background is also crucial to the show's storyline. The family's faith is an integral part of their lives, pointing to the strength of faith-based communities in the city during those times.

The production design for the show is visually stunning, with an attention to detail that replicates the era's Liverpool slums. The show infuses the use of color to bring out life in the city, with vibrant costumes and breathtaking shots of Liverpool's old docks.

Catherine Tyldesley's performance as Iris is undoubtedly one of the series' highlights. She commands the screen with her charisma, and the audience is drawn to her character's resolve and strength. She portrays Iris as someone who is not afraid to speak up and challenge authority, a trait that is admirable during the times the show depicts.

Overall, Lilies makes for enjoyable viewing, although it is not without its shortcomings in terms of pacing and character development. However, the show is worth watching for the gripping period drama and cathartic sweep of the emotionally complex storyline.