Series synopsis
Home Fires is an American drama comedy television series that premiered on ITV1 on May 3, 2015. It ended on May 8, 2016. It was created by Catherine Oldfield. It stars Samantha Bond, Ruth Gemmell, Claire Rushbrook and Fenella Woolgar.
The story of a group of inspirational women in a rural Cheshire community with the shadow of World War II casting a dark cloud over their lives. 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 help maintain the nation’s fabric in its darkest hour, and discover inner resource ...
Premise
The story of a group of inspirational women in a rural Cheshire community with the shadow of World War II casting a dark cloud over their lives. 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 help maintain the nation’s fabric in its darkest hour, and discover inner resources that will change their lives forever.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Samantha Bond as Frances Barden
- Ruth Gemmell as Sarah Collingborne
- Claire Rushbrook as Pat Simms
- Fenella Woolgar as Alison Scotlock
- Clare Calbraith as Steph Farrow
- Daisy Badger as Claire Hillman
- Leanne Best as Teresa Fenchurch
- Leila Mimmack as Laura Campbell
Supporting cast
- Claire Price as Miriam Brindsley
- Frances Grey as Erica Campbell
- Mark Bazeley as Bob Simms
- Ed Stoppard as Will Campbell
- Daniel Ryan as Bryn Brindsley
- Francesca Annis as Joyce Cameron
- Will Attenborough as David Brindsley
- Rachel Hurd-Wood as Kate Campbell
- Mark Bonnar as Adam Collingborne
- Nigel Boyle as DS Reynolds
Guest cast
- Elisabeth Hopper as Charlotte Bowers
Episodes
This series spans 2 seasons with 12 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 6 | May 3, 2015 | June 14, 2015 |
| Season 2 | 6 | April 3, 2016 | May 8, 2016 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 1 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. |
May 3, 2015 |
| 2 |
Episode 2 As Frances and Joyce battle for leadership of the new group, the others face problems of a much more personal nature. Erica and Will's relationship is tested after his cancer diagnosis, Pat is struggling with her unhappy marriage and Miriam has one last chance to stop David enlisting. Newcomer Teresa Fenchurch gets off to a bad start, but her mishap brings a dashing RAF officer to the village. Francesca Annis and Samantha Bond star, with Frances Grey, Ed Stoppard, Claire Rushbrook and Leanne Best. |
May 10, 2015 |
| 3 |
Episode 3 The impact of the war begins to be felt in Great Paxford as the women are forced to make sacrifices for the salvage effort. But soon matters on the personal front replace their efforts on the home front as Kate and Jack's relationship intensifies, Pat's marriage deteriorates and Claire finally plucks up the courage to ask Spencer out - unaware he is hiding a secret that could ruin their relationship before it has even started. Meanwhile, Alison resorts to desperate measures to pay a bill, and soon realises her actions will cost her much more. |
May 17, 2015 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 1 The WI members of Great Paxford live under a shadow as the Battle of Britain looms on the horizon. Pat befriends a Czech soldier, but finds her newfound independence less enjoyable than expected. Laura faces the consequences of her affair, while Sarah receives some shocking news. Alison strikes a bargain with the police, and tragedy strikes for Frances. |
April 3, 2016 |
| 2 |
Episode 2 Laura is publicly disgraced when news of the Bowers' divorce hits the papers, with grave consequences for the surgery and her friendship with Tom. Pat is tempted by her feelings for Marek while Bob is in hospital. Steph is delighted when Stan returns home on leave, but the reunion is overshadowed by his fears of invasion. Frances discovers a secret at the reading of the will. |
April 10, 2016 |
| 3 |
Episode 3 The Czech officers organise a dance to keep morale up as the Battle of Britain intensifies. Joyce has some advice for Sarah which is not well-received, while Pat realises that somebody knows about her relationship with Marek. Allison's secret work for the police leaves her forced to decide where her loyalties lie. Steph fears that Stan is becoming a bad influence on his son, and Frances finds out that Peter's affair was more complicated than she thought. |
April 17, 2016 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | ITV1 |
|---|---|
| First aired | May 3, 2015 |
| Last aired | May 8, 2016 |
| Runtime | 45 minutes |
| Status | canceled |
| Schedule | Sunday at 21:00:00 |