Head back to 1940s' Europe for World On Fire season 2 as BBC1 launches its follow-up series to 2019's sweeping wartime drama.
The first series, which starred Josh Hauer-King, Sean Bean, Lesley Manville and a host of other British and European talent, told the story of the first year of the war, covering events such as the Nazis' invasion of Poland and the British retreat at Dunkirk.
The war drama was praised for portraying untold stories of ordinary people from across Europe, while also bringing issues from the home front — such as those who opposed the war — into the spotlight.
Now this second six-part series, which is It is created and written by Peter Bowker, Rachel Bennette and Matt Jones, will pick up many of those stories.
Here's everything we know so far about World On Fire season 2...
World on Fire season 2 release date
World On Fire season 2 will premiere on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Sunday, July 16 at 9 pm. In the UK you can also watch the series on BBCiPlayer.
World On Fire will be released in the US on October 15 2023 on PBS Masterpiece. Also, in the US, the first season is available to stream on Disney+.
World on Fire season 2 trailer
The trailer for World On Fire season 2 landed on 30 June, check it out below!
World on Fire season 2 plot
It's October 1940 and war is raging over Britain. RAF pilots are sent to destroy German bombers prowling the skies above Manchester, with rescue operations underway on the streets below.
This series again tells the story of World War Two through the eyes of ordinary people and heroes fighting for freedom, going from the war-torn streets of Britain to the horrors of Nazi Germany, the French resistance and brutal battles in the North African desert. In the Sahara the troops are constantly struggling to adapt to a very different kind of combat, alongside Indian Sappers and Australian Diggers.
The first season ended on quite a cliffhanger, with Harry and Kasia narrowly escaping a Nazi ambush in Poland and being chased by Nazi soldiers, so fans will be keen to find out what became of the pair. Meanwhile Lois had Harry's baby and the proposal of RAF fighter pilot, Vernon Hunter...
World on Fire season 2 cast
Lesley Manville (Mum, Sherwood) will reprise her role as wealthy and emotionally repressed mother Robina Chase, while Jonah Hauer-King (The Little Mermaid) returns as her son Harry, an interpreter at the British embassy in Warsaw who was later commissioned into the British Army.
Julia Brown will once again play Lois, a talented singer and factory worker from Manchester, while Zofia Wichlacz is back as Kasia, a brave Polish freedom fighter.
Inbetweeners star Blake Harrison reprises his role as Harry's platoon sergeant Stan Raddings, Eugénie Derouand is back as Henriette, a Jewish nurse in Nazi Paris, Eryk Biedunkiewicz returns as Kasia's youngest brother Jan and Cel Spellman (Cold Feet) will play Joe, a member of Harry's platoon, once again.
Whether Sean Bean returns as World War One veteran and pacifist Douglas Bennett or is not clear at this stage. The same for Doctor Who star Arthur Darvill as RAF pilot Vernon Hunter who does however feature in the plot. We'll keep you updated.
New cast joining World On Fire season 2
Joining the World On Fire cast for series two are Mark Bonnar (Guilt, Line of Duty) as Sir James Danemere, Ahad Raza Mir (Resident Evil, Hum Tum) as Rajib, and Gregg Sulkin (Runaways, Pretty Smart) as David.
World on Fire season 2 — what else do we know?
Lesley Manville says: “It’s wonderful to be bringing Peter Bowler’s epic scripts to life again. Rich characters telling great, human stories set against the backdrop of World War Two. It’s a feast!”
World On Fire creator and writer Peter Bowker says: "The second season of World On Fire has been a long wait due to a certain pandemic and this makes the beginning of filming especially exciting. It has been a real joy to pick up the story with our inspirational cast, both our established regulars and new and exciting talent who have embraced the show’s scale and ambition. How the conflict played out in North Africa is a fascinating and little explored history and we are aiming to redress that balance with stories of struggle and friendship. Our diverse cast will continue to reflect the global nature of the conflict.”
