World on Fire

Synopsis

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.

First Air Date: 2019-09-29

Last Air Date: 2023-08-20

Number of Seasons: 2

Number of Episodes: 13

Created By: Peter Bowker

Networks: BBC One

View Technical Specifications on IMDb

Top 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
Eryk Biedunkiewicz as Jan Tomaszeski
Ewan Mitchell as Tom Bennett

Seasons

Series 1 (2019)

Series 1 tells the story of the first year of the war, starting with the German invasion of Poland in September 1939 and ending with the Battle of Britain.

Episodes:

Ep. 1: Episode 1 (2019-09-29)

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?
Ep. 2: Episode 2 (2019-10-06)

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?
Ep. 3: Episode 3 (2019-10-13)

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.
Ep. 4: Episode 4 (2019-10-20)

Harry’s courage is tested at Louvain as he comes face to face with a German sniper, and Kasia’s resistance activity in Warsaw intensifies.
Ep. 5: Episode 5 (2019-10-27)

Harry leads his unit on the route to Dunkirk as they fight to make it onto the beach and aboard a ship. Grzegorz and Tom also struggle to survive the chaos of the evacuation.
Ep. 6: Episode 6 (2019-11-03)

June 1940. The Nazis have taken Paris with not a bullet fired. Webster and Albert's life in the city they love will never be the same again.
Ep. 7: Episode 7 (2019-11-10)

On a Polish mission as part of the SOE, Harry grasps a second chance at saving Kasia from the horrors of Warsaw, while Lois looks set for happiness with new love, Vernon. Season finale.