Foyle's War

Foyle's War. A British detective drama television series created by Anthony Horowitz and set primarily in World War II-era England. The series follows Christopher Foyle, a detective chief superintendent in the Home Office, as he investigates crimes on the home front, often uncovering corruption and espionage that intersect with the wider war effort. It originally aired on ITV from 2002 to 2015, blending meticulous historical detail with complex mystery plots.

Premise and setting

The series is set against the backdrop of World War II, beginning in 1940 after the Battle of Britain and extending into the early years of the Cold War. The primary setting is the fictional Home Counties town of Hastings, where Foyle works for the Hastings Police. Unlike many war dramas focusing on combat, the narrative explores the moral ambiguities and societal disruptions on the home front, including the black market, fifth column activity, and tensions with American GIs. Later series move the action to London, where Foyle works for MI5 investigating postwar crimes linked to espionage, profiteering, and the emerging tensions of the Soviet Union.

Characters

The central character is Detective Chief Superintendent Christopher Foyle, portrayed by Michael Kitchen, a reserved, principled, and insightful policeman. His driver, initially assigned due to wartime shortages, is Samantha "Sam" Stewart, played by Honeysuckle Weeks, who becomes his loyal assistant. Foyle's sergeant is Paul Milner, a capable detective played by Anthony Howell, who returned to duty after losing a leg at the Battle of Narvik. Key recurring figures include Foyle's son, Andrew Foyle, a pilot in the Royal Air Force, and various historical personalities such as Harry S. Truman, Alfred Hitchcock, and Ian Fleming. Antagonists often include corrupt officials, Nazi sympathizers, and Soviet agents.

Production and broadcast history

The series was created by novelist and screenwriter Anthony Horowitz and produced by Greenlit Rights. Filming locations included Hastings, East Sussex, and various period-accurate sites across Kent and London. The show premiered on ITV in October 2002. After an initial hiatus, fan campaigns and strong DVD sales led to its revival for three further series, concluding with a final feature-length episode in 2015. The production team worked closely with historical advisors to ensure accuracy in depicting events like the Tirpitz raids, the Manhattan Project, and the British Mandate for Palestine.

Critical reception and legacy

The series received widespread critical acclaim for its intelligent writing, atmospheric direction, and strong performances, particularly from Michael Kitchen. It won several awards, including an Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America and a British Academy Television Award. Critics praised its nuanced exploration of historical events such as the internment of British aliens, the Beveridge Report, and the Zoot Suit Riots. The show is regarded as a high point in the British detective genre, noted for its moral complexity and educational value in depicting 20th-century history.

Episode list

The series comprises eight series and twenty-eight episodes. Notable stories include the first episode, "The German Woman," dealing with internment and prejudice, and "Fifty Ships," which involves Lend-Lease negotiations. Later episodes tackle themes like the V-1 flying bomb attacks in "They Fought in the Fields," the Belsen Trial in "The Hide," and Operation Paperclip in "Elise." The final story, "High Castle," set in 1946, involves MI5 operations against Soviet infiltration and the defection of a GRU officer, tying into the origins of the Cold War.