Home Fires, the Second World War drama, which was filmed on location in Bunbury, Tattenhall and Aldford, will return for a second series ITV bosses have confirmed.
The show, about a group of inspirational women bringing their rural village together, has been a ratings success for ITV with an average 6.2mn viewers and a 24 per cent audience share on Sunday evenings.
Many of the Bunburys features can be seen in the show, including the Nag’s Head pub, the Village Chippy fish and chip shop, RF Burrows & Sons butchers, and St Boniface’s Church.
Bosses say Home Fires has been its best performing Sunday evening drama for ITV after Downton Abbey.
The women of the Great Paxford Women’s Institute Frances Barden (Samantha Bond) and Joyce Cameron (Francesca Annis) discover inner resources that change their lives forever.
Through their own strength and resourcefulness, the eclectic band of local women – Frances’s sister Sarah, (Ruth Gemmill), downtrodden neighbour Pat Simms (Claire Rushbrook), pharmacist Erica (Frances Grey), local farmer Steph (Clare Calbraith) bookkeeper Alison (Fenella Woolgar), school teacher Teresa (Leanne Best) and butcher’s wife Miriam (Claire Price) – discover ways of improving the lives of their fellow villagers and offer a support network at a time of impending danger and crisis.
Inspired by the book Jambusters by Julie Summers, the new series, written by Simon Block, will begin filming in Cheshire during the summer.
It has been recommissioned for ITV by Director of Drama Steve November and Controller of Drama Victoria Fea who have been delighted with the audience’s reaction to the series.
“We’ve been really pleased with how viewers have taken Home Fires to their heart,” said Steve. “Through Simon’s wonderfully observed scripts, and the characters he’s created, we’ve come to know real women who kept the home fires burning throughout the Second World War. Their war effort is an intriguing aspect of our national social history and we’re delighted the women will be reunited for a second series,” added Steve.
Executive Producer Francis Hopkinson commented: “We’re thrilled the incredible ensemble cast of Home Fires will be returning for a second series. The new series will play out under the Battle of Britain and the frighteningly real prospect of German invasion and defeat. It was a very challenging and dark period in our country’s history. Whilst the men were away fighting, the women left behind had to face their own fears.”
Bunbury Village Day, on Saturday, June 20 will have a TV and film theme to celebrate the Home Fires series.
