Home Front (BBC radio series)

Home Front is a British radio drama, broadcast on BBC Radio 4 since 4 August 2014.^[1] Set exactly one hundred years before the date of broadcast, Home Front tells the story of World War I from the perspective of those managing life in wartime Britain. It is part of the BBC’s World War I centenary season and is planned to run until 11 November 2018, the centenary of the Armistice.^[2]

Each twelve-minute episode tells a fictional story set against a background of historical truth with at least one historical ‘fact of the day’ built into each episode. Each episode follows one character’s day. Together, they build into a mosaic of experience from a wide cross-section of British society. Episodes are broadcast Monday to Friday at 12.04 on BBC Radio 4, with an omnibus edition on Fridays at 21.02. There will be fifteen series in total, each season with a subtitle and a particular theme. Series average at eight weeks, with an eight-week gap between. All episodes (both individual and omnibus) are available for download as MP3s and will remain so indefinitely.^[3]

The first series received generally favourable press coverage.^[4][5][6]

For series one and two, Ciaran Bermingham and Sarah Morrison were production co-ordinators, the assistant producer was Leo McGann and the studio manager Martha Littlehailes.

In an episode broadcast on 29 April 2016 and referencing the Irish Easter 1916 rising, an Irish character talked about the terrible destruction of O'Connell Street in Dublin. Sackville Street was only renamed O'Connell Street in 1924 following the formation of the Irish Free State.

The theme music was composed by Matthew Strachan and performed by the BBC Concert Orchestra.^[7]

Series 1: The Lost Boys

Series one of Home Front was first broadcast between 4 August and 3 October 2014. It is set in Folkestone, a fashionable Edwardian seaside resort that quickly became one of the hubs of the military machine and close enough to France to hear the fighting. The lead writer for series one was Katie Hims.

Series 2: What Will You Do?

Series two was broadcast from 1 December 2014 to 9 January 2015. It is, once again, set in Folkestone and focuses on volunteering. The lead writer for series two was Katie Hims.

Series 3: A New Deal

In series three the action moves to Tynemouth and the focus shifted to war industry in the factories and shipyards of North East England. The season was broadcast from 2 February to 27 March 2015. The lead writer for series three was Shaun McKenna.^[8]

Series 4: Where There's A Need

In series four the story returns to Folkestone with a focus on profit and profiteering. The series was broadcast from 25 May to 17 July 2015. The lead writer for series four was Sebastian Baczkiewicz.^[9]

Series 5: Whisky On The Other Side

In series five the action remains in Folkestone and focuses on the church and a growing widespread belief in spiritualism. The series was broadcast from 7 September to 30 October 2015. The lead writer for series five was Sarah Daniels.

Series 6: Angels In All But Name

In series six the action moves to nearby Sandgate in Kent and the Bevan Hospital and focuses on nursing and casualties, both physical and emotional. The series was broadcast from 21 December 2015 to 12 February 2016. The lead writer for series six was Shaun McKenna.

Series 7: Moral, Medical, Family & Economic

In series seven the action moves to Devon and focuses on the impact of conscription on a farming community. The series was broadcast from 4 April to 27 May 2016. The lead writer for series seven was Richard Monks.^[10]

Series 8: Espionage & Propaganda

Series eight was broadcast from 8 August to 30 September 2016. The lead writer for series eight was Katie Hims.^[11]

Series 9

Series nine is scheduled to start on 12 December 2016, where the story returns to Tyneside.^[12]

References

External links

• Home Front at BBC Programmes
  
• Home Front at Radio Times
• World War I at BBC Online