Living in 1920s Liverpool, the Moss family consists of three girls--Iris, May and Ruby--and one boy, Billy. Trying to keep them in order is their father, following the death of their mother. The three girls, at the behest of their mother, are Catholics, and it’s they that Lillies concentrates the best of its time upon.

At times not an easy watch courtesy of a fairly uncompromising approach, Lillies is nonetheless a superior piece of drama, and one that’s brought together in this welcome and thoughtful three-DVD collection. Across the episodes of the series, the strength of family bond comes across as paramount, but there are still some bitter lows that the Moss’ have to tackle. And thanks to a talented cast, it’s rewarding to follow their antics and adventures.

It’d be a pity if, as it seems, the BBC don’t commission another series of Lillies, because there really is a lot to enjoy on the evidence of this debut season alone. If this, though, is to be it, then at least fans of the show, and those who missed it first time around, get a strong DVD set to enjoy. A consolation, certainly, but a good consolation nonetheless. --Jon Foster