Home Front

By BBC Radio 4Fiction Drama

Home Front episodes

August 16, 2016 16 August 1916 - Hugh Cavendish
On this day in 1916, the French gained a mile of trenches at the Somme, and in Folkestone, Hugh Cavendish resists the incursions of Cecil Cameron.
Written by Katie Hims
Directed by Allegra McIlroy
Sound: Martha Littlehailes
Editor: Jessica Dromgoole
13 min
August 15, 2016 15 August 1916 - Florrie Wilson
On this day in 1916, the King praised the 'spirit of cheerful confidence' he found amongst the troops in France, while in Folkestone, optimism eludes Florrie Wilson.
Written by Katie Hims
Directed by Allegra McIlroy
Sound: Martha Littlehailes
Editor: Jessica Dromgoole
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?
13 min
August 12, 2016 12 August 1916 - Alice Macknade
On this day in 1916, 'magical results' were reported at the provision of masks to conceal facial injuries, and Alice Macknade's life seems blessed.
Written by Sarah Daniels
Directed by Jessica Dromgoole
Sound: Martha Littlehailes
12 min
August 11, 2016 11 August 1916 - Juliet Argent
On this day in 1916, Italy drives Germany back nine miles from Gorizia with 32,000 losses, and Juliet Argent faces losing her husband.
Written by Sarah Daniels
Directed by Jessica Dromgoole
Sound: Martha Littlehailes
13 min
August 10, 2016 10 August 1916 - Gabriel Graham
On this day in 1916, a letter from Lloyd George exhorted the nation to watch the new film 'The Battle of the Somme', and in Folkestone, the Grahams face an impossible situation.
Written by Sarah Daniels
Directed by Jessica Dromgoole
Sound: Martha Littlehailes
13 min
August 09, 2016 9 August 1916 - Edie Chadwick
On this day in 1916, the 'spycatcher' Peter Wright was born, and Edie, thus far economical with the truth, is forced to open her heart.
Written by Sarah Daniels
Directed by Jessica Dromgoole
Sound: Martha Littlehailes
12 min
August 08, 2016 8 August 1916 - Sylvia Graham (Season 8 start)
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?
12 min
August 08, 2016 8 August 1916 - Sylvia Graham
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
NOTES
This season 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 phrase is hidden in every episode in 2016. If you spot one, tweet it using #BBCHomeFront.
12 min
May 27, 2016 27 May 1916 - Kitty Lumley
On this day in 1916, President Wilson advocated the formation of an Association of Nations to ensure future peace, and at Halecot Farm, relations are troubled.
Written by Richard Monks
Directed by Jessica Dromgoole
Sound: Martha Littlehailes
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?
12 min
May 26, 2016 26 May 1916 - Adam Wilson
On this day in 1916, the Bishop of Liverpool told conscientious objectors that they should leave the country if they refused to fight, and the Wilsons prepare to leave Halecot Farm.
Written by Richard Monks
Directed by Jessica Dromgoole
Sound: Martha Littlehailes
13 min

About Home Front

From the publisher's feed

Drama serial tracking the fortunes of a group of characters on the home front as they try to maintain normality while Britain is involved in the First World War.