Series synopsis
World on Fire is a British drama war & politics television series that premiered on BBC One on September 29, 2019. It ended on August 20, 2023. It was created by Peter Bowker. It stars Jonah Hauer-King, Julia Brown, Helen Hunt and Zofia Wichłacz.
The story of World War II told through the intertwining fates of ordinary people from all sides of this global conflict as they grapple with the effect of the war on their everyday lives.
Premise
The story of World War II told through the intertwining fates of ordinary people from all sides of this global conflict as they grapple with the effect of the war on their everyday lives.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Jonah Hauer-King as Harry Chase
- Julia Brown as Lois Bennett
- Helen Hunt as Nancy Campbell
- Zofia Wichłacz as Kasia Tomaszeski
- Lesley Manville as Robina Chase
- Brian J. Smith as Webster O'Connor
- Parker Sawyers as Albert Fallou
- Tomasz Kot as Stefan Tomaszeski
Supporting cast
- Max Riemelt as Schmidt
- Sean Bean as Douglas Bennett
- Victoria Mayer as Claudia Rossler
- Gregg Sulkin as David
- Ahad Raza Mir as Rajib
- Eryk Biedunkiewicz as Jan Tomaszeski
Guest cast
- Ewan Mitchell as Tom Bennett
- Alex Boxall as Glen Howell
- Maurycy Łyczko as Józef
- Richard Clements as Arnold
- James Backway as Gordon
- Ceallach Spellman as Joe
- Jay Sajjid as Ishwar
- Blake Harrison as Stan
- Bhavik C. Pankhania as Singh
- Friederike Ott as Frau Kuhne
- Charlotte McCurry as Daisy
- Forrest Bothwell as George
Episodes
This series spans 2 seasons with 13 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 7 | September 29, 2019 | November 10, 2019 |
| Season 2 | 6 | July 16, 2023 | August 20, 2023 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 1 When war breaks, translator Harry Chase vows to help his Polish lover Kasia flee Warsaw, but how will he explain this to his sweetheart Lois, waiting for him at home in Manchester? |
September 29, 2019 |
| 2 |
Episode 2 A month after the outbreak of war, Warsaw is unrecognisable, while Manchester, on the surface, appears very much the same. Will there be a warm welcome home for Harry? |
October 6, 2019 |
| 3 |
Episode 3 December 1939, and Tom fights for his life on board the HMS Exeter at the Battle of River Plate. Meanwhile, Harry and Lois have a more personal battle to fight. |
October 13, 2019 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 1 The war reaches the sands of the Egyptian desert while bombs fall on Manchester, and Harry introduces an explosive force into Robina’s household, leaving her reeling. |
July 16, 2023 |
| 2 |
Episode 2 As Harry struggles to adapt to the reality of desert combat, Lois still longs to leave home. In Paris, Henriette is in grave danger, and a mysterious stranger arrives at Robina’s. |
July 23, 2023 |
| 3 |
Episode 3 As Stan and Rajib make a hasty retreat across the desert, Marga reasserts her commitment to the führer. Meanwhile, David is in peril in the skies over France. |
July 30, 2023 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | BBC One |
|---|---|
| First aired | September 29, 2019 |
| Last aired | August 20, 2023 |
| Runtime | 60 minutes |
| Status | canceled |