Elizabeth Gaskell's tale of love across the social divide is brought to life in Sandy Welch's four-part adaptation. When Margaret Hale exchanges her rural life for a northern mill town, she witnesses first hand the poverty of the working classes. She also meets mill-owner John Thornton, who she initially despises, while he finds her willful and proud. When the workers of Milton call a strike, Margaret takes their side, and the two are brought into deeper conflict. As events spiral out of control, Margaret - to her surprise - begins to fall in love with Thornton.