The PBS Trailer for 'World on Fire' Promises a Sweeping War Saga

Sprawling World War II drama World on Fire will premiere on Masterpiece this April, and PBS has released a new trailer that highlights the epic, sweeping feel of the show, which encompasses themes from love to duty to sacrifice. 

The seven-part period drama spans the first year of the war, and splits its story between several main characters in a variety of locations, including Manchester, Warsaw, Berlin and Paris. It aims to show the impact of World War II through the eyes of different, ordinary people around the world, illustrating that though their lives were very different, they were nevertheless inextricably intertwined with and connected to one another. 

re traces the interweaved fates of several families in 1939 and 1940, World on Fire follow the stories of several families beginning in September of 1939, from the Nazi invasion of Poland, to the near debacle at Dunkirk, to the fall of Paris and beyond. Season 1 will reportely conclude with the Battle of Britain, and the show will incorporate both military and civilian perspectives along with way. Future seasons - the show has already been renewed for a second - will go on to explore the subsequent six years from similar varying points of view – one also has to expect the question of America’s involvement will become more critical as the story continues. 

Watch the new trailer for yourselves below.   

The series features an all-star ensemble cast led by Oscar winner Helen Hunt and Game of Thrones star Sean Bean. They’re joined by a ton of other faces that’ll be very familiar to British television fans, including Lesley Manville (Harlots), Blake Harrison (Prime Suspect: Tennison), Jonah Hauer-King (Little Women), Julia Brown (The Last Kingdom), Brian J. Smith (Sense8) and Polish Academy Award-winner Zofia Wichłacz (Warsaw 44).

Are you looking forward to the premiere of World on Fire? Let's discuss in the comments.