—Sarah Phelps’ Epic Drama Follows the Lives of a Team of WWI Doctors, Nurses and Volunteers and Their Experiences in the Trenches—
THE CRIMSON FIELD is a drama about WWI’s frontline medics — their hopes, fears, triumphs and tragedies. In a tented field hospital on the coast of France, a team of doctors, nurses and women volunteers works together to heal the bodies and souls of men wounded in the trenches.
The series follows the lives of volunteer nurses Kitty Trevelyan, played by Oona Chaplin (GAME OF THRONES, THE HOUR), and Sister Joan Livesey, played by Suranne Jones (SCOTT & BAILEY, A TOUCH OF CLOTH), as a tented field hospital on the coast of France becomes a frontier between the battlefield and the home front.
The hospital evolves into asocial battleground as well — the old rules, hierarchies and class distinctions against a new way of thinking.
The series also features Hermione Norris (COLD FEET, MI-5) as Matron Grace Carter, Richard Rankin ("The House of Him," BURNISTOUN) as Captain Thomas Gillan, Kevin Doyle (DOWNTON ABBEY, "The Libertine") as Lieutenant-Colonel Roland Brett, Kerry Fox (GLUE, "Shallow Grave") as Sister Margaret Quayle and Marianne Oldham ("Titus," WPC 56) as Rosalie Berwick.
EPISODE GUIDE:
Episode 1: repeats Sunday, Dec. 8 at 8 p.m. - Follow Kitty, Flora and Rosalie, volunteer nurses who work in a tented field hospital. As they settle into their first day, it soon becomes clear that no training could ever have prepared them for the reality of working near the front line.
Episode 2: repeats Sunday, Dec. 8 at 9 p.m. - The hospital readies for a convoy of new patients. With resources stretched, Sister Joan sees a chance for the volunteers’ skills to be put to good use, but Sister Margaret doesn’t think they’re ready to take on new responsibilities.
Episode 3: repeats Sunday, Dec. 8 at 10 p.m. - Thomas wrestles with a growing attraction to Kitty, a terrified patient faces court martial and Sister Joan reveals a dark secret to one of her patients.
Episode 4: repeats Sunday, Dec. 15 at 8 p.m. - The arrival of soldiers from her home town lifts Joan’s spirits, but she finds herself in trouble. Thomas seizes his opportunity to pursue Kitty. Meanwhile, the return of an old patient causes ripples, calling everyone’s loyalties into question.
Episode 5: repeats Sunday, Dec. 15 at 9 p.m. - Grace is threatened by an aggressively rude and war-scarred commander, while Joan waits anxiously for news from her fiancé. A series of events draws Joan into danger, risking her profession and possibly her life.
Episode 6: repeats Sunday, Dec. 15 at 10 p.m. - As Joan faces a possible lifetime in prison, Kitty’s wracked with guilt that she knew about Joan but didn’t stop her. Kitty is desperate for someone to trust, but will she turn to Thomas or Miles? As the war machine grinds on, faith, hope and love are put to the test.
WATCH EPISODES ON YOUR SCHEDULE:
This series originally aired in 2015. All six episodes of THE CRIMSON FIELD are available for streaming on demand with KPBS Passport, video streaming for members supporting KPBS at $60 or more yearly, using your computer, smartphone, tablet, Roku, AppleTV, Amazon Fire or Chromecast. Learn how to activate your benefit now.
CREDITS:
Created, written and executive produced by Sarah Phelps (GREAT EXPECTATIONS, EASTENDERS) and directed by David Evans (DOWNTON ABBEY, ONE NIGHT), Richard Clark (DOCTOR WHO, LIFE ON MARS) and Thaddeus O’Sullivan (SILENT WITNESS, SINGLE-HANDED),
Produced by Endemol Worldwide and BBC.
