Home Fires is a new ITV drama, inspired by Julie Summers’ non-fiction book Jambusters.
Starring Francesca Annis and Samantha Bond, the six-part series follows a group of inspirational women in a rural Cheshire community with the shadow of World War II casting a dark cloud over their lives.
> Order Home Fires on DVD on Amazon.
The cast also includes Ruth Gemmell (Utopia), Mark Bonnar (Line of Duty), Claire Rushbrook (Collision), Mark Bazeley (The Suspicions of Mr Whicher), Frances Grey (The Widower) and Ed Stoppard (Cilla).
The isolated village couldn’t feel further away from the impending bloodshed and battlefields and yet it is not immune from the effects of war. As the conflict takes hold, and separates the women from their husbands, fathers, sons and brothers, the characters find themselves under increasing and extraordinary pressures in a rapidly fragmenting world.
By banding together as the Great Paxford Women’s Institute, they will help maintain the nation’s fabric in its darkest hour, and discover inner resources that will change their lives forever.
Episode 1
Sunday 3 May 2015, 9pm
In the face of impending war with Germany, the Great Paxford WI faces a difficult decision. When president Joyce Cameron resigns and takes most of the membership with her, Frances Barden and her supporters must come together to resurrect the Institute, and recruit new members from unexpected places.
Meanwhile, local doctor Will Campbell discovers the terrible reason why he can’t rejoin the army, and Miriam Brindsley will do anything to stop her son from enlisting.
Claire Hillman is attracted to young postman Spencer Wilson, but she discovers that the path of true love never did run smooth.
Episode 2
Sunday 10 May 2015, 9pm
It’s been three weeks since Britain declared war on Germany.
Whilst Frances and Joyce battle for leadership of the new WI, the other members face their own problems: Erica and Will’s relationship is tested after his cancer diagnosis, whilst Pat searches for ways to get some respite from her unhappy marriage to Bob, and Miriam has one last chance to stop David from being called up.
Meanwhile, Claire is determined to go after Spencer even if he does have a girlfriend. Newcomer Teresa Fenchurch gets off to a bad start with Alison, but her mishap brings a dashing RAF officer to the village.
Episode 3
Sunday 17 May 2015, 9pm
The impact of the war begins to be felt in Great Paxford as the women must make sacrifices for the salvage effort. Both Adam and Stanley have difficult decisions to make, whilst Kate and Jack’s relationship intensifies.
Claire finally plucks up the courage to ask Spencer out, but he’s hiding a secret that could ruin their relationship before it has even begun. When Alison resorts to desperate measures to pay a bill, she soon realises she will have to pay a much higher price for her actions.
Pat’s situation with Bob goes from bad to worse, but will the women of the village discover what’s going on before it’s too late?
Episode 4
Sunday 24 May 2015, 9pm
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.
Steph is hiding a secret that threatens the farm’s future, and Teresa’s past comes back to haunt her when she receives an unexpected visitor who could destroy the life she has built for herself in Great Paxford. Whilst Kate and Jack make plans for the future, a jealous Laura complicates her relationship with boss Richard.
Meanwhile, Erica is determined to intervene as Bob and Pat’s marriage grows even more destructive, and as the WI try to plan an air raid shelter for the village, Claire becomes an unwitting victim in the latest skirmish between Frances and Joyce.
Episode 5
Sunday 7 June 2015, 9pm
Erica is unexpectedly forced to reveal what she has done to protect Pat, and face the consequences. Frances takes in an evacuee from Liverpool, but when she arrives Isobel isn’t quite what the household bargained for.
Miriam throws herself into writing letters to friendless soldiers, but her efforts may do more harm than good. The stakes are raised in Laura’s affair with Richard after someone sees them together, whilst a surprise visit from Adam brings Nick and Sarah’s friendship into uncomfortable focus.
Some devastating news for Teresa challenges her friendship with Alison, and after Spencer’s secret is revealed, Claire must decide whether or not to stand by him.
Episode 6
Sunday 14 June 2015, 9pm
As the situation in Europe escalates and war draws ever closer to home, the women of the village have their own battles to fight.
Frances (Samantha Bond) is determined to help Pat (Claire Rushbrook) before it’s too late, whilst Alison (Fenella Woolgar) searches for a way out of her own desperate situation. Miriam (Claire Price) hides an important piece of news from Bryn (Daniel Ryan) and it looks like Laura (Leila Mimmack) and Richard’s (Phillip McGinley) affair can’t be hidden for much longer.
With the nation’s darkest hour looming, the WI faces its biggest challenge yet.
> Order Home Fires on DVD on Amazon.
Watch the trailer…
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