‘Excellent’ period drama with Shetland star is streaming for free now

Francesca Annis and Samantha Bond star in the wartime drama Home Fires, which is available to watch on the UK streaming service, U

alling all period drama fans! ITV’s hit wartime series, Home Fires, is currently climbing the charts on the free UK streaming service, U.

Inspired by the book Jambusters by Julie Summers, the drama follows the lives of a group of Women’s Institute members in a rural Cheshire community during World War Two. While the beloved series was cancelled after two seasons in 2016, sparking a fan petition for its return, its enduring popularity speaks for itself.

Ruth Gemmell as Sarah King, Francesca Annis as Joyce Cameron and Samantha Bond as Frances Barden in Home Fires© ITV
Home Fires follows a group of Women’s Institute members in a rural Cheshire community during World War Two

If you’re a fan of Call the Midwife‘s tight-knit camaraderie and All Creatures Great and Small’s cosy countryside backdrop, this is your next must-watch.

What to expect from Home Fires

Set in rural Cheshire, the wartime drama follows the resilient women of the Great Paxford Women’s Institute as they fight to hold their community together during World War II.

The drama begins with a battle for the WI’s survival. While long-standing leader Joyce Cameron votes to shut down the branch, Frances Barden is determined to overturn the decision and keep the institute alive.

FRANCESCA ANNIS as Joyce Cameron in Home Fires © STUART WOOD / ITV
Francesca Annis stars as Joyce Cameron in Home Fires

Sadly, the show was cancelled after just two seasons, leaving fans on an agonising cliffhanger. In the dramatic final moments, a fighter plane crashes straight into butcher Bryn Brindsley’s home, just as his wife goes into labour.

Who stars in Home Fires?

Samantha Bond (The Marlow Murder Club, Downton Abbey) and Francesca Annis (The Forsytes, Flesh and Blood, Cranford) lead the cast as Frances and Joyce.

SAMANTHA BOND as Frances in Home Fires© ITV
Samantha Bond plays Frances

They are joined by Ruth Gemmell (Bridgerton), Claire Rushbrook (Magpie Murders), Clare Calbraith (Mr Bates vs The Post Office), Frances Grey (Vanity Fair) and Mark Bonnar (Shetland), among others.

What have viewers said about Home Fires?

The drama has amassed a loyal fanbase over the years, who have hailed it as “excellent” and “superb”.

One person wrote on social media: “Just watched the final episode of season 2 of #HomeFires and gutted that it was cancelled and ended on a cliffhanger 2. What a fantastic show it was, brilliant cast and characters and stories, just loved it.”

Mark Bonnar as Adam King in Home Fires© ITV
Mark Bonnar portrays Adam King in the series

A second viewer hailed the show as “one of the best series of the last ten years,” while another described it as “authentic and brilliantly acted”.

How to watch Home Fires

The series is available to stream on U and Channel 4 now.

CRE: https://www.hellomagazine.com/film/904713/itv-period-drama-home-fires-streaming-for-free/