Night Watch, The (BBC-2 2011, Anna Maxwell Martin, Claire Foy)

A Sarah Water’s adaptation is always of interest and The Night Watch is no exception, taking us into the heart of the Blitz in London during world war two where the lives of four people are changed forever. The action begins in 1947 though where we meet the troubled Kay who aimlessly roams the streets of the city, meanwhile Helen and Viv are running a marriage bureau but have secrets they are keeping covered; Helen is involved in a highly strung relationship with a woman called Julia whilst Viv is having an affair with a married man.

As we learn more about this quartet we move back in time to the dark days of the Blitz where their lives meld for the first time and we discover the reasons why they are in such a precarious state years later.

Brilliantly cast, Anna Maxwell Martin is one of the best actresses working in the UK at the minute and adapted by the very dependable Paula Milne, The Night Watch is essential viewing.

production details
UK | BBC Two

RUNNING TIME: 90 minutes | NUMBER OF EPISODES: 1 | AIRDATE: Tuesday 12 July 2011 @ 9.00pm

WRITER: Paula Milne | NOVEL: Sarah Waters | EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Hilary Salmon | PRODUCER: Annie Tricklebank | DIRECTOR: Richard Laxton

cast
ANNA MAXWELL MARTIN as Kay
CLAIRE FOY as Helen
JODIE WHITTAKER as Viv
HARRY TREADAWAY as Duncan