A Hard God is set in Sydney in 1946 and tells the story of the Cassidys, three working-class Irish-Australian brothers and their families, struggling to reconcile their faith with the harsh realities of post-war life. Middle brother Dan and his wife Aggie suffered most during the Great Depression, but now have become the rock on which the rest of the family depends. As each brother struggles to navigate conflict and adversity, a younger Cassidy, Joe, is confronted by the realisation of his deep attraction to his best mate and the crisis of faith this brings. When unexpected tragedy strikes, the ensuing conflict and upheaval results in circumstances that make for intense family drama, with events as topical today as in the 1940s.