Plot Synopsis

Based on the novel by J.K Rowling. Pagford is a quaint, picturesque town in the Cotswolds, a seemingly idyllic English village with cobblestone streets and an ancient abbey. But looks are deceiving, for behind the pretty facade lies a town tearing itself apart; rich against poor, parents against children, wives against husbands.

PART 1: As Pagford Parish Council prepares for a vote on what will become of Sweetlove House, a town institution and community center serving poorer residents, chairman Howard Mollison and his wife, Shirley who want to turn it into a tourist-destination spa, look to neutralize the threat of everyman council member Barry, a solicitor and defender of the current Sweetlove misson. Barry's sudden death leaves a "casual vacancy" on the council, the race to fill his seat, and determine the fate of Sweetlove, stirs up drama among residents. While Howard and Shirley push their submissive son, Miles, to run for election, Barry's friend and doctor, Parminder, rallies behind reluctant school headmaster Colin, while Barry's bullying half-brother, Simon, looks to capitalize on the family tragedy. Elsewhere, Terri, Barry's former neighbor and a struggling meth addict, finds it hard to stay clean, while her troubled daughter, Krystal, takes drastic measures to help. Later, Simon's teenage son, Andrew, aka Arf looks to expose the hypocrisy in Pagford by bringing his Uncle Barry back from the dead.

PART 2: As the town of Pagford mourns on the day of Barry's funeral, candidates for his council seat are shocked to find their darkest secrets revealed online. Amidst struggles with her mom, Krystal recalls a fond memory with Barry and finds herself pursued by a rebellious classmate, Stuart, aka Fats. New student Gaia takes an interest in Andrew, who faces the consequences of outing his father's unsavory ways online. Meanwhile, Barry's widow, Mary, crashes a dinner to discuss Sweetlove House; Miles worries about his wife Samantha's behavior; and Parminder butts heads with Howard, who is later plagued by visions of his own mortality.

PART 3: As the council election approaches, Mary tries to talk Colin out of running, while his wife, Tess, puts her heart into campaigning. Andrew keeps his distance from home and stands up to Fats, whose interest in Gaia leaves Krystal annoyed. After unbearably close election results, the Sweetlove House matter is swiftly decided, and Miles gets a shock at home. During Howard's birthday party, Samantha and Shirley have a confrontation about their family, and Arf catches two couples in compromising positions. Finally, after Terri gives in to temptation, a desperate Krystal seeks refuge, precipitating another tragedy that rocks the town.