August 08, 2016

8 August 1916 - Sylvia Graham (Season 8 start)

11 minutes

On this day in 1916, the Daily Mirror reported 22 deaths from heatstroke on a hospital ship, and the Graham household is concerned for Gabriel's mind.

Written by Sarah Daniels

Directed by Jessica Dromgoole

Sound: Martha Littlehailes

NOTES

This season (Season 8) of Home Front is set back in Folkestone, during the Battle of the Somme, and just after the death of Lord Kitchener in circumstances that provoked a number of conspiracy theories, and the execution of Sir Roger Casement for his role in the Easter Rising. 'Spyfever' was understandably at a pitch, and Folkestone was an important base for the newly formed Secret Service bureau. Both the Secret Intelligence Service and the War Office had bases in the town, recruiting and organising overseas intelligence gathering. Genuine players at the time include Captain Mansfield Cumming, codename C (Brian Protheroe), and Major Cecil Cameron, codename CF (Justin Salinger).

The film, 'The Battle of the Somme' was released on 10 August, and became Britain's biggest selling film until Star Wars. Around 20 million people - almost half the population, saw the film during the summer of 1916.

Season 8 of Home Front is story-led by Katie Hims (MARTIN BECK, KING DAVID) and written by Sarah Daniels (THE CAZALETS, EATING FOR ENGLAND), Shaun McKenna (THE FORSYTES, THE COMPLETE SMILEY), Mike Walker (THE STUARTS, THE ROMANOVS) and Sebastian Baczkiewicz (PILGRIM, MR RAINBOW).

SECRET SHAKESPEARE

A Shakespeare quote is hidden in each Home Front episode that is set in 1916. These were first broadcast in 2016, the 400th anniversary year of the playwright's death. Can you spot them all?

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