Helen Hunt, Lesley Manville, Jonah Hauer-King, and Sean Bean star in Masterpiece PBS’s newest WWII historical drama, World on Fire.
World on Fire is a historical drama set during WWII that spans four countries and follows a diverse group of characters in the war’s first year. Their lives intersect and intertwine as they all try to survive the chaos brought about by the conflict.
While this historical drama is engaging, it has notable flaws. Some storylines are so unconvincing that I nearly stopped watching. However, the strong performances and gripping action scenes kept me invested, despite occasional missteps.
World on Fire centers on Harry (Jonah Hauer-King), a British translator from an upper-middle-class family, who falls for Lois (Julia Brown), a singer from Manchester. Harry’s mother disapproves of the relationship due to the class differences. Their failed romance serves as a key subplot, although Harry’s indecisiveness and secrecy made it hard for me to root for him.
The story begins with Lois and Harry parting ways before the war, leading Harry to Poland as a translator. There, he develops feelings for a Polish girl named Kasia. As the war rages on, Harry marries Kasia to help her escape, but ends up rescuing her brother Jan instead. Kasia, left behind, must fend for herself in a storyline that is arguably the weakest in the series.
Kasia’s journey darkens after witnessing the murder of her mother. She retaliates against the German invaders, but her methods, involving the seduction and subsequent killing of young German soldiers, are disturbing and drawn out, making her arc unpleasant to watch.
Thankfully, other characters in the ensemble cast help to balance out the drama’s shortcomings. Among the most compelling are members of the older generation. Lesley Manville shines as Harry’s cold mother, Robina, who is fascinating to watch as she cares for the Polish refugee Jan. Her unlikely friendship with Lois’s father, Douglas Bennet (Sean Bean), a pacifist from Manchester, also stands out. Their interactions during the war are memorable and engaging.
Helen Hunt portrays Nancy Campbell, an American journalist determined to report the truth amidst German propaganda. She befriends the Rossler family, who are hiding a dangerous secret about their daughter’s medical condition, creating intense suspense.
Nancy’s nephew, Webster, is a doctor in Paris who secretly falls for a black jazz musician named Albert, just before the city is invaded. Their relationship is not fully explored in the beginning but gains more focus later in the series.
Other characters include Lois’s troubled brother Tom and Kasia’s teenage brother Grzegorz, both struggling to survive as the world around them falls apart.
While World on Fire has its flaws, the production quality makes it worth watching. There are moments that deeply explore mental health during wartime and thrilling action sequences that keep you on the edge of your seat. The romantic subplots, though not all melodramatic, add to the drama. Arthur Darvill’s character, a sweet pilot and love interest for Lois, brings a refreshing dynamic. Additionally, the potential for a future connection between Robina and Douglas is intriguing.
The series has been renewed for a second season, which is promising for its future. Despite its imperfections, World on Fire is worth watching, thanks to the outstanding performances from the seasoned cast. Let’s hope season two addresses its weaknesses and returns even stronger.
Content Note: TV-14 for language, violence, and implied sexuality.
Where to Watch: Stream on PBS Masterpiece’s Amazon Channel and PBS Passport, or purchase on Digital and DVD.
