Home Fires (UK TV series)

Home Fires
Series titles over a skyscape
Genre Period drama
Created by Simon Block
Based on Jambusters
by Julie Summers
Directed by Robert Quinn
Bruce Goodinson
Starring Francesca Annis
Daisy Badger
Mark Bonnar
Samantha Bond
Mark Bazeley
Leanne Best
Clare Calbraith
Chris Coghill
Ruth Gemmell
Frances Grey
Jodie Hamblet
Rachel Hurd-Wood
Leila Mimmack
Mike Noble
Claire Price
Claire Rushbrook
Daniel Ryan
Ed Stoppard
Mark Umbers
Fenella Woolgar
Theme music composer Samuel Sim[1]
Country of origin United Kingdom
Original language(s) English
No. of series 2
No. of episodes 12 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s) Francis Hopkinson
Catherine Oldfield
Rebecca Eaton
Producer(s) Sue de Beauvoir
Running time 44–46 minutes
Production company(s) ITV Studios
Masterpiece
Distributor ITV Studios Global Entertainment
Release
Original network ITV
Picture format 16:9 1080i
Audio format Stereo
Original release 3 May 2015 (2015-05-03) – 8 May 2016 (2016-05-08)

Home Fires is a British period television drama about the life of Women's Institute members on the Home Front during the Second World War. Set in a rural Cheshire community called Great Paxford, the series is produced by ITV, and launched its first series in May 2015. The first series is set between September 1939 and early 1940.

The series was inspired by the book Jambusters by Julie Summers.[2] With the first series having an average viewing ratings of 6.2 million ITV commissioned a second six-part series, aired in April 2016. The show focuses on a largely female cast, including notable actresses Francesca Annis, Samantha Bond, Claire Rushbrook, Fenella Woolgar and Leanne Best.

Series 2 of Home Fires premiered on 2 April 2016 and gained 5.2 million views with a 23.7% share.[3] ITV announced it would not renew the show in May 2016.

Cast

Series 1 (2015)

Summary

When the WI is reformed by Frances Barden (Samantha Bond), she makes the committee less exclusive and more egalitarian; she is later voted as the official President. Meanwhile, Pat (Claire Rushbrook), a member of the committee, is being abused by her husband Bob, upon whom she is forced to wait hand and foot. Bob becomes increasingly abusive as Pat finds herself and begins to be noticed by the town and her fellow WI members, sparking increased jealousy and anger in her husband, who blames her for his lack of the success he feels he deserves as a writer.

The newly reformed WI's first project is the gathering of wild blackberries which they then use to make jam, as "every pound of jam we make is a pound of jam that doesn't have to come in on the ships".

When war is officially declared, the men of the town begin to consider what roles they might play. Miriam's son, David, is determined to enlist in the Navy, which terrifies her. However, after a talk with his father, who fought in WWI, he accepts the idea that in order to soothe his mother's fears and give her as much time as possible to overcome them he should wait to be "called up" or drafted.

However, such is Miriam's fear of losing her son to war that when the National Registry form comes from the government, she deliberately leaves David's name off with the intention of keeping him out of the draft. When David discovers what she has done, he enlists in the Navy anyway. Shortly thereafter the Navy delivers an official letter which Miriam hides in a panic, assuming it is a notice of his death. She cannot face opening the letter and having her fears turn into immutable reality. However, when Bryn finds the hidden and unopened letter, it turns out they are reporting that he is only missing in action. Grasping at straws, Miriam sees this as actually hopeful as it means the Navy is not sure of his death and that he may still be alive, though lost.

Dr Campbell finds he has lung cancer, preventing him from enlisting. His wife, who had been wishing for something to keep him out of the armed services, is horrified.

Spencer is drafted but registers as a conscientious objector. His friends and neighbors almost unilaterally begin to vilify and torment him. A mob gathers and coats his bicycle, which he uses to deliver the post, with blood and chicken feathers. With the villagers shunning him, Claire worries for him. She gently persuades him that she is not afraid of the reactions of the other villagers and convinces him to let her stand at his side.

Alison takes as a tenant the new schoolteacher, Teresa Fenchurch. Later Teresa reveals herself to Alison as a lesbian. Initially Alison is shocked but she overcomes her initial shock and reassures Teresa that she wants her to stay as Teresa has become her best (and nearly only) friend.

Steph worries for her husband when she realizes he feels he must join and fight. Eventually she confronts him and tells him to go, as he is gradually tearing himself apart over this decision.

When war becomes even more certain, Frances and the WI decide it is time for a community air raid shelter to be installed in case of an attack. In order to intercept Joyce's interference with this plan, Frances enlists Claire in a plot to misdirect Joyce by making her think they are planning to use the church as the town's air raid shelter. Thus Joyce's efforts at stymieing Frances and the "new" WI, of which she strongly disapproves, are totally misdirected and the plan for the actual shelter proceeds without interference.

Teresa realizes that neither Steph nor her son can read and is in danger of losing the farm because, since she can't read them, she is not complying with government regulations about wartime farming. She teaches Steph to read in order to save the family farm from confiscation due to noncompliance with government farming regulations.

In the final episode of the first series, Bob leaves for London, leaving Pat relieved and happy to be away from him, whilst Joyce leaves for the coast. She speaks with Frances over the war effort and hands over the keys to her tennis courts so that they may be used for food production. As the series finishes the final scene hints at the war taking its toll in Great Paxford.

Episodes

(1939-1940)

No.
overall
No. in
series
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateUK viewers
(millions)
11"Episode One"Bruce GoodisonSimon Block,3 May 2015 (2015-05-03)6.16
August 1939 When Joyce resigns from the WI, Frances decides to revive it and make it more welcoming to the women in the village. Meanwhile she works to help the army's food scramble. Dr Campbell learns the deadly truth of why he cannot enlist. Steph reluctantly signs up for the WI but soon enjoys her first meeting.
22"Episode Two"Bruce GoodisonSimon Block10 May 2015 (2015-05-10)5.56
September 1939 As the threat of war looms closer to the village, its residents must adjust to unwelcome changes. News of the war prompts discussion of who shall enlist. Frances works to help the war effort, while Pat's marriage begins to crumble. Meanwhile Joyce is on the march to regain control over the WI. David must make a decision on whether to fight or not. Frances has high hopes for the available land in the village to help the war effort.
33"Episode Three"Bruce GoodisonSimon Block17 May 2015 (2015-05-17)5.31
November 1939 As the war progresses the people of Great Paxford are each affected. Alison is forced to work for traitors. Sarah worries when her husband wants to enlist, meanwhile Kate wants to get married but to the anger of her family. Miriam decides she must do something to stop David from enlisting; she takes action, but the consequences begin to pressure her.
44"Episode Four"Bruce GoodisonSimon Block24 May 2015 (2015-05-24)5.34
February 1940 Secrets and lies are rife in the village. Miriam knows her deception can’t be kept from David forever, but she’s terrified of the consequences of him finding out. Teresa meets an old friend again, with a life changing offer and the knowledge of a secret. Frances tries to help Sarah.
55"Episode Five"Robert QuinnSimon Block7 June 2015 (2015-06-07)5.50
March 1940 Steph wins a personal victory. Frances gets more than she bargained for when an evacuee shows up at Great Paxford. Theresa receives tragic news and Alison learns her secret. Erica and Pat have a close call. Laura faces a difficult decision. The WI try to make a social shelter, led by Frances. Kate tries to move on. The war begins to take its toll on Great Paxford, with consequences and danger. David enlists behind the back of his mother. Alison wants to learn the truth about Teresa.
66"Episode Six"Robert QuinnSimon Block14 June 2015 (2015-06-14)5.36
May 1940 France's expected defeat makes the possibility of Nazi invasion more real than ever before. Frances is determined to help Pat, and Sarah learns to shoot. Alison is plagued by her decision to work with the traitors, with terrible consequences. The WI sets its sights high for fund raising, while Miriam receives a telegram concerning her son. Teresa steps in to help Alison but her actions cannot stop the course of justice. Charlotte files for divorce, with Laura as correspondent. Laura faces a scandal; can she handle the pressure?

Series 2 (2016)

(1940)

No.
overall
No. in
series
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateUK viewers
(millions)
71"Episode One"Robert QuinnSimon Block3 April 2016 (2016-04-03)6.59
11 June 1940 As war begins to take its toll on Great Paxford and the Battle of Britain looms, Teresa must step in to protect an Italian resident from the other people of the village. Sarah begins to feel alone after she gets some tragic news about her husband on the front lines, yet she must rise up to address the village over the silencing of the church bells. Alison gets the verdict on whether the charges will be upheld or dropped, however she must then make a difficult choice after the result. Claire and Spencer marry in secret; Jenny learns of this and tells Frances. Pat befriends a kindly Czech soldier and enjoys her new life with no husband. Frances has a heart stopping encounter.
82"Episode Two"Robert QuinnGlen Laker10 April 2016 (2016-04-10)6.09
Frances decides she will not come into the shelter during an air raid leaving Sarah with a difficult decision. Pat's abusive husband is back in town but she feels torn as she grows closer to the soldier Marek. Laura faces scandal after the divorce becomes public and her reputation begins to crumble. Alison begins her work with police. Meanwhile Will begins radiation treatment for his cancer, supported by his daughter Kate. Frances must come to terms with the death of her husband, while Alison uncovers a shocking revelation about Peter upon analysing his will. Laura's friendship with Tom is tested due to the intervention from Mrs Talbot, whilst Jenny comes to blows with Laura and makes plans for her future. Joyce returns, and offers some unexpected comfort to Frances saying that her husband was a gentlemen. Frances discovers a terrible secret hidden by her husband, Pete was having an affair with the company accountant Helen.
93"Episode Three"Robert QuinnSimon Block17 April 2016 (2016-04-17)6.05
Frances uncovers a horrific secret about her husband's secret life; he has a son with the company accountant, who also died in the car crash. Alison is approached by the police once more to work for them and must choose between her loyalties to Frances and her country. At a public dance hosted by the Czech soldiers Joyce notices the level of intimacy between Sarah and the Wing Commander; Joyce convinces her that she must remain loyal to her husband for her sake rather than for the scandal. Jenny listens into a call between Joyce and her husband where it seems that Joyce is a Nazi sympathiser and she alerts the village, causing trouble for Joyce with shocking consequences. However Joyce soon reclaims control and Jenny takes a blow. Pat is in danger when Bob returns and someone sees her with Marek. Meanwhile, Teresa is attracted to an unlikely source - a female pilot who is praised by the other soldiers.
104"Episode Four"John HayesSimon Block24 April 2016 (2016-04-24)5.65
24 July 1940 Frances has big plans for the factory now being in charge of the factory and decides that she can upgrade the working life, yet Frances also reveals to Sarah she has plans to rid herself of the 20% shareholder's threat. Can Teresa change, this is what she asks of herself when she is asked on a date? Alison worries that her involvement with the Lyons could have dangerous consequences beyond just damaging her relationship with Frances. Marek and Pat meet and are clearly inseparable but they are seen. David Brindsley is now home but they discover that his injuries are more than on the surface. The Campbells receive good news for a change, which prompts Laura to volunteer for the ROC. Also a first aid training meeting is held in the village. Frances makes the decision to attempt to buy out Mr Lakin, and accidentally sees Noah while at the house. This causes friction between Frances and Sarah as while talking she blames Noah for all that has happened. Will Frances be able to sway Mr Lakin?
115"Episode Five"John HayesSimon Block1 May 2016 (2016-05-01)5.44
30 August 1940 Bombing brings unnatural light to the horizon. The harvest is becomes an almost impossible challenge as Steph's workers leave for better wages elsewhere. A woman in search of David Brindsley’s parents thanks them for saving her son, believing David died saving him. Meanwhile the Czech soldiers are given warning of their reassignment and Marek asks Pat again to leave Bob. Frances struggles to understand her husband's double life and yet her parachute factory is under a threat only Alison seems aware of. Eventually the whole WI comes to Steph and Stan's aid with the maize harvest after she collapses with extreme exhaustion. Realising how quick and brutal the war has become, Nick and Teresa's relationship takes an unexpected twist. Sarah finds herself in danger.
126"Episode Six"John HayesSimon Block8 May 2016 (2016-05-08)5.44
3 September 1940 Frances's factory is closed by the authorities dues to producing faulty parachutes and Alison blames herself. Nick and Teresa get married even after a couple of people who know something deeper about her ask probing questions regarding its wisdom. Francis begins to thaw towards Noah, partly with a piece of gentle assistance from Joyce. Halfway through the wedding ceremony Miriam goes into labour. Bob eventually confronts Pat about her relationship with Marek after increasing his micro-management of her life to the point of distraction. She storms out of the wedding reception only to be stopped in her tracks by the crash of a crippled RAF fighter aircraft into the front of the house behind her.

Reception

The first series had a consolidated average rating of 6.2 million viewers to date and a 24 percent share.[4] June 2015, ITV announced that it had ordered a second series of the programme.[5] At the time of the end of the second series (8 May 2016), the first series had a rating of 8.0 out of 10 on IMDB. Alongside the positive attention from IMDB, the drama has been received favourably by critics. Samantha Bond was nominated for an award from the Satellite Awards. Series 2 met with similar success compared with Series 1 as the premiere episode gained 5.2 million overnight views, with the second episode reaching 4.7 million views.[6]

Just days after the broadcast of the final episode of series 2, ITV announced it was cancelling the show and there would be no third season. A network spokesman said that despite the show's success, "the ITV commissioning team continues to refresh the channel's drama portfolio, hence the decision not to commission a further new series."[7] A campaign to resurrect the show was launched after the cancellation was announced.[8] To date, it has nearly 30,000 signatures.

Broadcast

Home Fires first aired on 3 May 2015 on ITV. Internationally, the series premiered in Australia on 10 October 2015 on BBC First.[9] The series premiered in the United States on 4 October 2015 on PBS.

References

  1. Home Fires: Interviews
  2. "Home Fires 'is an astonishing story about women as war breaks out'". mirror.co.uk. The Mirror Online. Retrieved 28 June 2015.
  3. "Overnights.tv on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 2016-04-08.
  4. "ITV Stokes Home Fires". deadline.com. Penske Business Media, LLC. Retrieved 28 June 2015.
  5. "ITV drama Home Fires will return for a second series". Radio Times. 14 June 2015. Retrieved 13 July 2015.
  6. Sweney, Mark (2016-04-11). "BBC's Undercover loses 1m viewers as ITV keeps Home Fires burning". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2016-04-15.
  7. Lazarus, Susanna (2016-05-11). "Home Fires is axed after two series and a massive cliffhanger". Radio Times. Retrieved 2016-05-12.
  8. Walker, Danny (2016-05-12). "Home Fires Axed by ITV and Fans are Furious". The Mirror. Retrieved 2016-05-12.
  9. Purcell, Charles (3 October 2015). "NEW THIS WEEK (5 Oct): The Flash, Arrow, The Affair, The Leftovers, Vampire Diaries, A-League & more". The Green Room. Archived from the original on 6 October 2015. Retrieved 6 October 2015.
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