Fans are showering praise on a little-known period drama streaming free on Channel 4, calling it even better than the beloved Call the Midwife. Viewers are utterly captivated by Home Fires, a series that originally aired in 2015 but continues to win hearts.
A Hidden Gem Resurfaces
Home Fires, inspired by Julie Summers' book Jambusters, first premiered on ITV in 2015. Despite being cancelled after two seasons, the show has maintained a devoted following. Now streaming on Channel 4 and UKTV, it is being rediscovered by a new audience who cannot get enough of its compelling storytelling.
Plot and Setting
Set in the rural Cheshire village of Great Paxford between September 1932 and early 1940, the series follows the lives of Women's Institute members on the Home Front during World War II. The official synopsis explains: 'The story follows a group of women living in a rural Cheshire village during World War II. With the war occupying their husbands, fathers, sons and brothers, the women are forced to cope with the pressures of living with limited resources in a nation of disarray. Through their difficulties the ladies find strength by forming the Great Paxford Women's Institute, which helps them maintain hope and order in their community as Britain crumbles around them.'
Cast and Critical Acclaim
The series boasts an 'all-star' female cast, including Francesca Annis, Daisy Badger, Leanne Best, Samantha Bond, Clare Calbraith, Mark Bonnar, Mark Bazeley, Chris Coghill, and Ruth Gemmell. It holds a perfect 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. One critic described it as 'British drama that's as satisfying as a warm cup of tea,' while another called it 'spoonful after spoonful of splendid jam.' Viewers have echoed this sentiment, with one fan writing: 'The name being Home Fires on Masterpiece, it doesn't lie about the Masterpiece part.'
Fan Reactions
Audiences are utterly obsessed. One IMDB user awarded the show '20 stars,' stating: 'A real tear jerker. I don't think there was one episode I didn't tear up. This is a touching heartwarming series. I fell in love with the characters... I'd give 20 stars if I could!' Another fan lamented its cancellation: 'It's been 4 years since this series was cancelled and I still think about the characters and their lives. I was devastated when I found out, so much so, I signed a petition to get it back on, to no avail. I only have the books to console me now.'
Why It Was Cancelled
ITV axed the programme in May 2016 after just two series, leaving fans heartbroken. Creator Simon Block later continued the story through a novelisation, resolving the cliffhangers from series 2. Despite the cancellation, the show's legacy endures, with many calling it 'one of the best series of the last 10 years.'
Where to Watch
Home Fires is available to stream for free on Channel 4 and UKTV. For those who have yet to discover this hidden gem, now is the perfect time to dive into this 'absolutely incredible' series.
