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War Dramas

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by
Taryn Klockenga
• Published on • Last modified on
Sillouette Solders
Programming

This month WTVP features tales of bravery, cruelty and hope during World War II.

My Grandparents’ War 

 It has been more than 80 years since the start of World War II and this series sees leading Hollywood actors undertake a fascinating journey into their family’s past by retracing the footsteps of their grandparent during the conflict. 

 

April 4, 7 PM – Helena Bonham Carter

Follow actress Helena Bonham Carter as she explores the heroism of both sets of her grandparents during WWII — her grandmother, an air warden and outspoken politician, and her grandfather, a diplomat who saved hundreds from the Holocaust.

Airdates: 

  • WTVP-HD 47.1 – Sun, 04/04/2021 @ 7 PM
  • WTVP-HD 47.1 – Tue, 04/06/2021 @ 2 AM
  • WTVP-HD 47.1 – Wed, 04/07/2021 @ 3:30 AM

 

April 11, 11 PM – Mark Rylance 

Follow actor Mark Rylance as he explores the extraordinary story of his grandfather, who spent nearly four years as a Japanese prisoner of war during World War II, and examines his own beliefs about war and peace in the process.

Airdates: 

  • WTVP-HD 47.1 – Sun, 04/11/2021 @ 7 PM
  • WTVP-HD 47.1 – Tue, 04/13/2021 @ 2 AM

 

April 18, 7 PM – Kristin Scott Thomas 

Follow actress Kristin Scott Thomas as she pieces together a lost chapter of her family history, learning how her grandfather, a Royal Navy officer, saved thousands at Dunkirk and survived some of World War II's most devastating battles.

Airdates: 

  • WTVP-HD 47.1 – Sun, 04/18/2021 @ 7 PM
  • WTVP-HD 47.1 – Tue, 04/20/2021 @ 2 AM

 

April 29, 8 PM – Carey Mulligan 

Follow actress Carey Mulligan as she travels to Japan to learn about her grandfather's experience as a British naval officer during World War II, including the Kamikaze attack he survived, and the extent of the devastation he witnessed.

Airdates: 

  • WTVP-HD 47.1 – Tue, 04/27/2021 @ 2 AM
  • WTVP-HD 47.1 – Thu, 04/29/2021 @ 8 PM

My Grandparents' War Preview

Follow these Hollywood actors as they examine World War II's impact on their grandparents.

Atlantic Crossing: Official Teaser

Based on a true story of passion and politics. Premiering Sunday, April 4 at 9/8c.

Masterpiece
Atlantic Crossing 
SUNDAYS, APRIL 4 – May 23, 8 PM 

A princess steals the heart of the president of the United States in an epic drama based on the World War II relationship of Franklin Roosevelt and Norwegian Crown Princess Martha. Kyle MacLachlan (Twin Peaks, Sex and the City) stars as Roosevelt, opposite Swedish star Sofia Helin (The Bridge) as the beautiful Martha, who flees the Nazis with her three young children and lives under Roosevelt’s protection. The eight-part series co-stars Tobias Santelmann as Crown Prince Olav and Harriet Sansom Harris as First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt.


April 4 , 8 PM – The Attack 

Norwegian Crown Princess Martha and her husband Prince Olav visit U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt in 1939. A year later, they must flee the Nazi invasion of their country.

Airdates: 

  • WTVP-HD 47.1 – Sun, 04/04/2021 @ 8 PM
  • WTVP-HD 47.1 – Mon, 04/05/2021 @ 12 AM
  • WTVP-HD 47.1 – Tue, 04/06/2021 @ 3 AM


April 11, 8 PM – The Throne 

Olav and the king plan their escape. Meanwhile, Martha and the children take refuge with her Swedish royal relatives. But the Nazis threaten the king if he harbors the crown princess.

Airdates: 

  • WTVP-HD 47.1 – Sun, 04/11/2021 @ 8 PM
  • WTVP-HD 47.1 – Mon, 04/12/2021 @ 12 AM
  • WTVP-HD 47.1 – Tue, 04/13/2021 @ 3 AM


April 18, 8 PM – Crossing the Atlantic 

While bombs fall on Olav and the king in London, Martha and the children are in the United States, where President Roosevelt extends a special invitation.

Airdates: 

  • WTVP-HD 47.1 – Sun, 04/18/2021 @ 8 PM
  • WTVP-HD 47.1 – Mon, 04/19/2021 @ 12 AM
  • WTVP-HD 47.1 – Tue, 04/20/2021 @ 3 AM


April 29, 9 PM – Fires Spread 

Martha is pressured to exploit her friendship with the president, who defies isolationists to push the Lend-Lease Act. Martha and the children get a surprise Christmas present.

Airdates: 

  • WTVP-HD 47.1 – Mon, 04/26/2021 @ 12 AM
  • WTVP-HD 47.1 – Tue, 04/27/2021 @ 3 AM
  • WTVP-HD 47.1 – Thu, 04/29/2021 @ 9 PM

 

Masterpiece 
World on Fire 
SUNDAYS, 9 PM

World on Fire is an adrenalized, emotionally gripping and resonant World War II drama that follows the intertwining fates of ordinary people in five countries as they grapple with the effects of the war on their everyday lives. Set in Britain, Poland, France, Germany and the United States, the events of the seven-hour series take place during the first year of the war.


April 4, 9 PM – Episode 1 

When war breaks out, young translator Harry vows to help his Polish lover Kasia flee Warsaw, but how will he explain this to his sweetheart Lois, waiting for him at home in Manchester?

Airdates: 

  • WTVP-HD 47.1 – Sun, 04/04/2021 @ 9 PM
  • WTVP-HD 47.1 – Mon, 04/05/2021 @ 1 AM
  • WTVP-HD 47.1 – Tue, 04/06/2021 @ 4 AM


April 11, 9 PM – Episode 2 

A month into war and with Warsaw destroyed, Harry is desperate for news, while Kasia joins the Polish resistance.

Airdates: 

  • WTVP-HD 47.1 – Sun, 04/11/2021 @ 9 PM
  • WTVP-HD 47.1 – Mon, 04/12/2021 @ 1 AM
  • WTVP-HD 47.1 – Tue, 04/13/2021 @ 4 AM


April 18, 9 PM – Episode 3 

Tom faces the fight of his life aboard HMS Exeter, while Harry and Lois have a more personal battle to fight.

Airdates: 

  • WTVP-HD 47.1 – Sun, 04/18/2021 @ 9 PM
  • WTVP-HD 47.1 – Mon, 04/19/2021 @ 1 AM
  • WTVP-HD 47.1 – Tue, 04/20/2021 @ 4 AM


April 29, 9 PM – Episode 4 

Harry's courage is tested at Louvain, while Kasia's resistance activity in Warsaw intensifies.

Airdates: 

  • WTVP-HD 47.1 – Mon, 04/26/2021 @ 1 AM
  • WTVP-HD 47.1 – Tue, 04/27/2021 @ 4 AM
  • WTVP-HD 47.1 – Thu, 04/29/2021 @ 10 PM

Trailer

The epic, emotionally-gripping World War II drama is coming soon to MASTERPIECE on PBS.

Season 2 Preview

Line of Separation
SATURDAYS, APRIL 10 – 24,  9 PM

After the fall of the Third Reich, the small town of Tannbach is cruelly divided between East and West regimes and the town's inhabitants suffer the consequences. This historical drama explores the devastating effects decades of conflict had on communities from the end of World War II to the fall of the Berlin Wall.


April 10, 9 PM – Episode 1

A NATO weapons cache is discovered in 1960; danger looms for Gustl, love blossoms for Georg, and tensions rise as enemies must become allies. Everyone must choose a side.

Airdates: 

  • WTVP-HD 47.1 – Sat, 04/10/2021 @ 9 PM


April 17, 9 PM – Episode 2 

Tensions rise as enemies must become allies after a NATO weapons cache is discovered in 1960.

Airdates: 

  • WTVP-HD 47.1 – Sat, 04/17/2021 @ 9 PM