It is 1845 in Haworth, a remote village in rural West Yorkshire. Charlotte, Emily and Anne Brontë are sisters, living in their family home on the moors with their aging father Patrick and troubled brother Branwell. As Branwell's behaviour becomes more erratic, Charlotte realizes she must do something to halt the family’s decline. Years ago she gave up writing: although wilful, inspired Emily and quietly steely Anne never stopped. Now Charlotte thinks they should try publishing their work together. But in an age where talented women are overlooked, they must do it in secret.

Charlotte, Emily, and Anne Brontë are finally published writers – although as women, they must use the pen names Acton, Currer, and Ellis Bell. Unfortunately, their brother Branwell has gone into terrible decline. When Branwell tries to give up alcohol, his family are forced to nurse him; and when Charlotte discovers her book has been rejected by publishers, she must rally to produce an even greater work of fiction. As Branwell’s demons threaten to take hold of him forever, will Charlotte and her sisters ever be able to reveal their true identities as three of the greatest writers of their age?