Foyle's War, the British detective drama set during and after the Second World War, is available to stream free on ITVX, and viewers are calling it 'exceptional', 'brilliant' and 'outstanding'. Devoted fans say they have been fixated on the wartime series for 'two years', while others admit they 'can't stop re-watching' it.
Developed by Anthony Horowitz, the scriptwriter behind Midsomer Murders, the show was commissioned by ITV after Inspector Morse concluded in 2000. Michael Kitchen leads the cast as DCS Christopher Foyle, with Honeysuckle Weeks, Anthony Howell, Julian Ovenden and Ellie Haddington in supporting roles.
The programme's official synopsis reads: "As WWII rages, DCS Foyle fights his own war on the home-front, investigating crime on the south coast of England. Later series, see the retired detective working as an MI5 agent in the aftermath of the war."
Broadcast history
Foyle's War first aired in October 2002 and ran until 2015, with a gap between 2007 and 2010. The series was cancelled by ITV's Director of Programmes, but the decision was overturned after a management reshuffle, reports the Express. It returned in 2010 and continued until January 2015, when it was cancelled for a second time after eight seasons.
Awards and critical praise
The drama received a BAFTA Television Award nomination for Best Production Design and won the Lew Grade Award for Best Entertainment Programme at the 2003 BAFTA Television Awards. It was also nominated for Best Drama Series the following year.
Critics have heaped praise on the show. One reviewer described it as "A perfect winter indulgence that should take some of the sting out of the fact that this terrific series - once canceled, then resurrected several years ago - is now really, truly one for the history books." Another noted that "Luckily, the people you would least like to encounter in real life make fantastic TV." A third praised Michael Kitchen's performance: "There is a moral intensity to Foyle that Kitchen expresses by the slightest raising of his voice or quickening of his words or birdlike cocking of his head."
Viewer reactions
Viewers have been equally enthusiastic. One wrote: "Exceptional. Near perfection. Kitchen is complete in his role, his surrounding cast also perfect. Brilliantly written and directed. Can't wait to watch the whole series again."
An IMDB review reads: "An outstanding series. Foyle's War is up there with Morse, Endeavour and Poirot. This incredible series ran for thirteen years, giving us crime during and after World War II. There isn't a single below par episode, nor a dip in quality, just a history of brilliant mysteries, solved by Christopher Foyle and Sam. Superbly written, Horowitz truly devised a classic. It's a wonderful series, for my money it's one of the best. 10/10."
Another fan said: "The best television show I have ever watched. I accidentally discovered this TV show, only seeing 5 minutes of a random episode, but I was amazed enough to watch the entire series. I am going to struggle to find a TV show to follow this one and I might just have to watch it all again. I would recommend watching this show, it is brilliant!"
Further praise highlighted the authenticity: "I first heard about this series two years ago. Since then, I have been hooked. The series really does look amazing, set during the 2nd World War, with beautiful costumes, pretty locations and authentic-looking scenery. The scripts are intelligent, sophisticated and absorbing as you would expect from a talented writer like Anthony Horowitz, and I will say I loved the concept. The stories are intriguing and multi-layered. Overall, a truly excellent series, where would we be without it? 10/10."
How to watch
Foyle's War is available to stream free of charge on ITVX.
