Home Front (BBC radio series)
| Genre | Drama |
|---|---|
| Running time | 12 minutes (omnibus episodes: 57 mins) |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Language(s) | English |
| Home station | BBC Radio 4 |
| Syndicates | BBC Radio 4 Extra |
| Written by | Sebastian Baczkiewicz (seasons 1, 4–7) Sarah Daniels (seasons 1–7) Georgia Fitch (season 4) Katie Hims (seasons 1, 2, 5, 7) Shaun McKenna (seasons 1–4, 6,7) Richard Monks (seasons 3–7) Melissa Murray (season 3) Mike Walker (season 6) Claudine Toutongi (season 6) |
| Directed by | Lucy Collingwood Jessica Dromgoole Allegra McIlroy |
| Produced by | Lucy Collingwood Allegra McIlroy |
| Edited by | Jessica Dromgoole |
| Recording studio | Studio 9D, The Mailbox, BBC Birmingham |
| Original release | 4 August 2014 |
| No. of series | 8 (as of 23 September 2016[update]) |
| No. of episodes | 310 (as of 23 September 2016[update]) 56 omnibus episodes |
| Audio format | Stereo |
| Website | Programme website |
| Podcast | Home Front omnibus podcasts |
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 seasons in total, each season with a subtitle and a particular theme. Seasons 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 season received generally favourable press coverage.[4][5][6]
For seasons 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 the 29th 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]
Season 1: The Lost Boys
Season 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.
Season 2: What Will You Do?
Season 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.
Season 3: A New Deal
In season 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]
Season 4: Where There's A Need
In season four the story returns to Folkestone with a focus on profit and profiteering. The season was broadcast from 25 May to 17 July 2015. The lead writer for series four was Sebastian Baczkiewicz.[9]
Season 5: Whisky On The Other Side
In season five the action remains in Folkestone and focuses on the church and a growing widespread belief in spiritualism. The season was broadcast from 7 September to 30 October 2015. The lead writer for season five was Sarah Daniels.
Season 6: Angels In All But Name
In season six the action moves to nearby Sandgate (Kent) and the Bevan Hospital and focuses on nursing and casualties, both physical and emotional. The season was broadcast from 21 December 2015 to 12 February 2016. The lead writer for season six was Shaun McKenna.
Season 7: Moral, Medical, Family & Economic
In season seven the action moves to Devon and focuses on the impact of conscription on a farming community. The season was broadcast from 4th April 2016 to May 27th. The lead writer for season seven was Richard Monks.[10]
References
- ^ "Episodes". Home Front. BBC Online. Retrieved 2 June 2015.
- ^ Chisholm, Kate (2 August 2014). "Home Front: Radio 4's first world war drama will fight out the full four years". The Spectator. London: Press Holdings. Retrieved 2 June 2015.
The ambitious new series, Home Front, will run from 2014 and 2018, creating 'a patchwork of impressionistic stories from the war.
- ^ "Podcast". Home Front. BBC Online. Retrieved 2 June 2015.
Episodes available: Indefinitely
- ^ Sawyer, Miranda (16 August 2014). "Home Front; The Educators; Prom 37 – radio review". The Observer. London: Guardian Media Group. Retrieved 2 June 2015.]
- ^ Heal, Clare (10 August 2014). "Radio 4's Home Front: Ambitious new drama brings the First World War years to life". Sunday Express. London: Northern and Shell Media. Retrieved 2 June 2015.
- ^ Crook, Tim (1 December 2014). "There may be World War I overkill, but Home Front is essential listening". The Conversation UK. The Conversation Media Group. Retrieved 2 June 2015.
- ^ Matthew Strachan Home Front interview at BBC website
- ^ "Something shadowy beyond what appears on the surface". BBC Online. Retrieved 2 June 2015.
Shaun McKenna, Season 3 lead writer, on what to expect as Home Front moves to Tynemouth
- ^ "There was a sense that Folkestone went a little crazy". BBC Online. Retrieved 2 June 2015.
Lead writer Sebastian Baczkiewicz sets the scene for Home Front Season 4
- ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03ny6lv
