Filming Officially Begins On 'World on Fire' Season 2

Sprawling World War II drama World on Fire was a surprise hit for PBS Masterpiece when it first aired in the spring of 2020, boasting an impeccable cast and a welcome dedication to changing up the ways we tell stories about Europe's last great war, and focusing on the sorts of central figures (women, LGBTQ characters, and people of color) who don't often get a lot of visual real estate in war epics.

Unfortunately, the show was also one of the hardest hit by the production delays, lockdowns, and other travel restrictions necessitated by the coronavirus pandemic. World on Fire was renewed for a second season over two years ago, but due to ongoing lockdowns, a filming schedule spread across multiple countries with often conflicting travel requirements, and a sizeable cast that understandably took on other projects in the meantime, filming on Season 2 is only just now finally beginning.

"The second season of World on Fire has been a long wait due to a certain pandemic and this makes the beginning of filming especially exciting," creator and writer Peter Bowker said in a statement. "It has been a real joy to pick up the story with our inspirational cast, both our established regulars and new and exciting talent who have embraced the show’s scale and ambition. How the conflict played out in North Africa is a fascinating and little-explored history and we are aiming to redress that balance with stories of struggle and friendship. Our diverse cast will continue to reflect the global nature of the conflict.”