Masterpiece war drama with perfect 100% score is streaming for free

The British period drama is set during the Second World War

Home Fires premiered on ITV in 2015 (Image: ITV)

The ITV series first premiered over a decade ago and has been described as a “brilliant war drama”. With an all-star cast, the series was abruptly cancelled after two series back in May 2016. A spokesman said that despite the show’s success, “the ITV commissioning team continues to refresh the channel’s drama portfolio, hence the decision not to commission a further new series”.

Fans were left devastated after the show was pulled by the network – the drama had ended on a dramatic cliffhanger and viewers were distraught not to find out who had (and hadn’t) survived that plane crash. But while the series remains firmly off air, it is available to stream for free on Channel 4.

Home Fires was created by Simon Block, fronted by a cast including Samantha Bond and Claire Rushbrook. Set in Cheshire, it addressed the members of the Great Paxford Women’s Institute in the midst of the Second World War. The series was inspired by the non-fiction book Jambusters written by author Julie Summers.

It tells the compelling true story of how the Women’s Institute (WI) in England and Wales contributed to the home front during the early months of World War II.

The series finale attracted just over 4 million viewers.

The period drama has also achieved something very rare, earning a perfect 100% score from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, alongside an impressive 88% audience rating.

An audience reviewer gushed: “One of the many really good shows from England, Australia and New Zealand. Honest look at how life was during the Second World War. Shows the effect on the families and those left behind when the ‘boys’ go off to war.”

Home Fires was abruptly cancelled after two series (Image: ITV)

Another praised: “The show follows several women and the challenges they face in supporting the war effort. Some of the story lines are more soap opera than others, but I am enjoying every minute.”

A third: “Excellent series. Absolute masterpiece.”

Home Fires is available to stream for free on Channel 4 now