PBS Masterpiece and BBC’s World on Fire return to World War II after a popular debut season with new stories of ordinary people caught in the crossfire. After a three-year hiatus caused by the continuing epidemic, production on Season 2 has finally commenced after two years on BBC and two years on Masterpiece. This time, Jonah Hauer-King is seen holding a clapboard in his hand as he prepares to begin filming again. The six new episodes of World on Fire, written by the show’s creators Peter Bowker, Rachel Bennette, and Matt Jones, will continue the events of the first season. It’s a conflict that finally hits home for British citizens in October 1940, as fighter aircraft fly over Manchester and take aim at German bombers.
A new form of battle will be introduced in North Africa, where British troops, Indian Sappers, and Australian Diggers fight together against the Axis forces. Lesley Manville, Hauer-King, Julia Brown, Zofia Wichlacz, Blake Harrison, Eugénie Derouand, Eryk Biedunkiewicz, and Cel Spellman are among the cast members who have returned from Season 1. There’s no word yet on whether Helen Hunt or any of the other major names from the previous season will be returning. Mark Bonnar (Guilt, Line of Duty) and Ahad Raza Mir (Resident Evil, Hum Tum) are leading the new additions as Sir James Danemere and Gregg Sulkin (Runaways, Pretty Smart) is the new inclusion as David.
The series will continue to make casting announcements in the near future. Several members of the cast and crew expressed their excitement for Season 2 of the series, which is now in production. In a statement, Bowker spoke about the lengthy wait and everyone’s enthusiasm to go back to work: Having to wait for the second season of World on Fire owing to a particular epidemic makes the start of filming even more intriguing. There is nothing better than picking up the story with our inspiring cast, both long-time regulars and newcomers who have embraced the show’s scope and ambition with enthusiasm. We want to tell the tales of those who fought and those who fought beside them in North Africa, which is a fascinating and under-reported history.
As the fight spreads around the globe, so will our cast’s diversity. Bringing Peter Bowker’s big screenplays to life again is a joy, says Manville. “It’s great.” “The backdrop of World War II is used to portray the story of a rich cast of individuals. What a wonderful spread!” As a well-known British actress, Manville won an award from the Broadcasting Press Guild for her portrayal on the show. In collaboration with ITV Studios, Mammoth Screen produced the show for BBC and Masterpiece. Individual producers Amanda Black and Angie Daniell worked with Drew Casson, Barney Cokeliss, and Meenu Gaur to create the film.
Masterpiece’s Susanne Simpson and Rebecca Eaton serve as co-executive producers, while Mammoth Screen’s Bowker, Sheena Bucktowonsing, Damien Timmer, and Helen Ziegler serve as executive producers. Bowker’s visions for a new season of the show were also lauded in remarks from Ziegler and Simpson. There is still a very long way to go before Season 2 of World on Fire begins filming, but the energy that comes with returning to filming and exciting new concepts are making the series look promising.