Hetty Feather - Season 1 (2015)

A new foundling arrives, a little girl called Eliza, who was fostered with the same family as Hetty though Hetty is disappointed that her borrowed brother Jem seems to have forgotten her. Matron also receives a visitor, her kindly sister Annie, appalled that Matron will not visit their dying mother. When Eliza takes revenge on Matron by shredding her clothes Hetty takes the blame and is put in solitary but Annie discovers the real culprit and rescues Hetty, explaining that she and her sister were also raised in a workhouse, hence Matron's severe attitude. Thus Hetty ...

The foundlings must perform a hymn by composer Mr Melrose to sing at a charity lunch but they are bored by it so kindly Nurse Winterson teaches them a music hall song, with the result that Matron sacks her. Hetty, aware that the nurse is the sole provider for her invalid father, persuades the children to go on strike and refuse to sing at the lunch but Matron tries to call her bluff by threatening punishment. Fortunately the children stage a concert of their own which so impresses Mr Melrose that he persuades Matron to reinstate Nurse Winterson.

An army sergeant visits the hospital to recruit a drummer boy, the successful candidate being decided on the outcome of a series of tests. In the event the sergeant picks both Walter and Matthias - who has stood up for his friend against the bullying Vince but Matthias declines the offer, stating that his fight is within the hospital. Meanwhile Hetty and Sheila are forced to work together in the infirmary and call a brief truce whilst they help to bring the withdrawn Charlie out of his shell.

Gideon gets a letter from his mother wanting to see him and he attempts to escape but Hetty proves to him it was a hoax perpetrated by the unpleasant Sheila. Meanwhile Hannah and Arthur Prestwick come to the hospital to reclaim the little girl they left there. Matron claims that no such child was ever admitted but Hetty comes up with proof and her friend Mary is reunited with her parents. Hetty's attempts to persuade a humane governor, Lady Asquith, that Matron is selling the foundlings to cruel masters as apprentices are, however, less successful as Matron lies her ...

Gideon plans on escaping in search of his parents, but Vince and Judd have other plans.

Sheila uses the open day as an opportunity to make some money, but ends up getting caught thieving! What will Matron Bottomly say?