Peter Bowker’s WWII drama adds Mark Bonnar to its cast.
The BBC have announced the start of filming on the second series of World on Fire. The expansive drama, from Peter Bowker (The A Word), enjoyed a successful first run in 2019.
The tense WWII show followed the lives of ordinary people during the conflict’s first year. Set in Europe & the USA, it explores the cruelty, kindness and messiness of humanity in a time of great chaos. For series 2, as we enter the second year of the war, the story will widen its reach to take in North Africa too.
Here’s the premise for Series 2:
October 1940. Lone pilots are sent to destroy German bombers prowling the skies above Manchester as the Northern Blitz begins. The true reality of war has arrived in Britain.
World On Fire series two will take viewers from the streets of Britain into occupied France, Nazi Germany, and to the sands of the North African desert, where British troops struggle alongside Indian Sappers and Australian Diggers to adapt to a very different kind of combat.
The show’s confirmed returning cast include Lesley Manville as Robina, Jonah Hauer-King as Harry and Julia Brown as Lois. Also, Zofia Wichlacz as Kasia, with Blake Harrison as Stan, Eugénie Derouand as Henriette, Eryk Biedunkiewicz as Jan and Cel Spellman as Joe.
Mark Bonnar (Line of Duty) joins the cast for the second run playing Sir James Danemere. Also added are Ahad Raza Mir (Resident Evil) as Rajib and Gregg Sulkin (Runaways) as David. We expect further returnees and new cast reveals as filming progresses.
Creator and writer Peter Bowker says:
“The second season of World On Fire has been a long wait due to a certain pandemic and this makes the beginning of filming especially exciting. It has been a real joy to pick up the story with our inspirational cast, both our established regulars and new and exciting talent who have embraced the show’s scale and ambition.
“How the conflict played out in North Africa is a fascinating and little-explored history and we are aiming to redress that balance with stories of struggle and friendship. Our diverse cast will continue to reflect the global nature of the conflict.”
World on Fire is a Mammoth Screen production, co-produced with Masterpiece for the BBC. The show is created and written by Peter Bowker, Rachel Bennette and Matt Jones. The producers are Amanda Black and Angie Daniell, and directors Drew Casson, Barney Cokeliss and Meenu Gaur.
Executive producers are Peter Bowker, Sheena Bucktowonsing, Damien Timmer. Plus, Helen Ziegler (Mammoth Screen in association with ITV Studios), Lucy Richer (BBC) and Susanne Simpson and Rebecca Eaton (Masterpiece).
Series 2 will comprise 6 hour-long episodes and come to BBC One and BBC iPlayer in 2023.
World on Fire Series 1 is no longer on the iPlayer, but you can track it down on BritBox in the UK.