It is 1915 and the world is at war. In London, an upper class young Women’s Police volunteer flouts convention and befriends the East Enders whose morals she is supposed to regulate. Horrified by the abject poverty and dual standards of the law, she investigates crimes ignored by the police.
A young, jaded and streetwise PC becomes her reluctant ally, his conscience pricked as her dedication challenges his apathy. Forced off the fence when she blunders into trouble, he remembers the reasons he joined the police force.
But as a vortex of treaties suck the world into the War to End All Wars, sinister, hidden agendas pervert the course of justice and rogue investigations have far reaching implications in direct conflict with national security - and with the Allies losing the war, the stakes could not be higher.
6 x 60 crime drama series
*Series Treatment and Pilot Script available on request
Starting in the early years of WWI, each episode leverages historical research and extrapolates a crime; the eponymous pilot speculates that in response to the German use of chemical weapons, the Allies created gas chambers for weapons testing before responding in kind in the Battle of Loos several months later in an operation code-named Red Star...
(see below for episode outlines)
Episode 1 (pilot): Operation Red Star
Episode 2: For Suffrage
Episode 3: The Troubles
Episode 4: Death in China Town
Episode 5: Sabotage
Episode 6: Spanish Flu
A young, jaded and streetwise PC becomes her reluctant ally, his conscience pricked as her dedication challenges his apathy. Forced off the fence when she blunders into trouble, he remembers the reasons he joined the police force.
But as a vortex of treaties suck the world into the War to End All Wars, sinister, hidden agendas pervert the course of justice and rogue investigations have far reaching implications in direct conflict with national security - and with the Allies losing the war, the stakes could not be higher.
6 x 60 crime drama series
*Series Treatment and Pilot Script available on request
Starting in the early years of WWI, each episode leverages historical research and extrapolates a crime; the eponymous pilot speculates that in response to the German use of chemical weapons, the Allies created gas chambers for weapons testing before responding in kind in the Battle of Loos several months later in an operation code-named Red Star...
(see below for episode outlines)
Episode 1 (pilot): Operation Red Star
Episode 2: For Suffrage
Episode 3: The Troubles
Episode 4: Death in China Town
Episode 5: Sabotage
Episode 6: Spanish Flu
Operation Red Star
FACT: Thousands died in the trenches as Germany deployed chemical warfare for the first time on the battlefield. Allied troops were completely unprepared and quickly gave the go-ahead to develop their own gas weapons.
At the Battle of Loos on 25th September, 1915, in an operation codenamed Red Star, the British launched their own gas attack using Chlorine.
At the Battle of Loos on 25th September, 1915, in an operation codenamed Red Star, the British launched their own gas attack using Chlorine.
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It is 1914 and the world is at war. A deluge of refugees, economic migrants and soldiers flood London. Crime and vice rocket and the Met, decimated by conscription, allow the creation of a women’s voluntary service with a specific mandate: To police women’s morality.
Cicely Bartlett is upper class, naïve and inquisitive, with a childhood of Gothic novels and Sherlock Holmes. She eagerly enlists – and instantly rebels against the limited remit. She agrees to help a young East Ender trace her missing best friend, but his body is found, covered in horrific burns. Appalled when the police refuse to investigate, Amelia takes up the case, but is hopelessly ill prepared for the menacing underworld she enters. Ripples from her investigation affect local criminals and high ranking officials, as she doggedly follows a deadly trail to China Town. PC Forster is poor and streetwise - and an outcast within the Met. Demoted for insubordination, un-enlisted due to 'flat-feet', he keeps his head down and avoids politics. He watches with alarm as Cici stirs a hornet’s nest, oblivious to the dangers. Vulnerable and alone, he steps up to become her reluctant accomplice. Together, they uncover the unthinkable – a secret MOD gas chamber in China Town, testing Chlorine on the dispossessed and untraceable. They combine forces and outmanoeuvre the authorities, succeeding in shutting the facility, but their interference creates powerful enemies who will not forget them. Forster teaches Cici to step outside the rules and Amelia, daughter of a Cabinet Minister and Goddaughter of the Met Police Commissioner, teaches Walker to work the system from within. Their partnership grows, along with a socially taboo romance, as the pair crusade for justice. And with the Allies losing the war, the stakes could not be higher. |
For Suffrage
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FACT: Prior to the war, suffragette violence escalated as (some) women resorted to terrorism to advance ‘the cause’. An amnesty saw the release of these women from prisons, one of whom (Mary Allen) was a founder member of the Women’s Police Service.
This episode resurrects that violence when a militant cabal decide to bomb parliament on bonfire night. Cici, seemingly disgraced in episode 1, is sent undercover when a socialite is murdered and former (previously militant) suffragettes become suspicious. PC Forster is enlisted when her directive to keep the affair secret conflicts with national security. They expose the conspirators – passionate and strong women, who are tried and hung in secret at the Tower of London. |
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The Troubles
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Fact: While the majority of Ireland supported the war, and many Irish men enlisted, some sought an alliance with Germany, who shipped weapons to Ireland. Irish prisoners of war were also recruited as sleepers in the British army. This episode sees an English solider – a deserter, and husband of Lizzy Tailor – returns to London, only to be discovered by Irish rebels. He is given a new identity and forced to work in the Woolwich Arsenal, to steal weapons. Cici resumes her role in the WPS and finds him. Because of her connection with the Tailors, and her guilt at Timmy’s death, she personally tracks him down to ‘turn himself in’, but discovers his new identity has apparently been provided by her father. She enlists Forster’s help to once again resolve the matter without public scrutiny, to buy time to investigate her Father’s involvement. She hides the evidence and the Irish rebels are brought to justice, along with the deserter. |
Death in China Town
Fact: After the Fu Manchu novels, tours were setup of China Town for the wealthy to observe ‘the heathens’ taking over London. Fear of their mystical practices ‘titillated’ society and their tiny numbers were vastly exaggerated.
The badly beaten body of Fiona Knowles, previously thought to be a victim of chemical weapons testing, is discovered in China Town. As more mutilated young women turn up, the police take a surprising interest and the press exploit the prevalent xenophobia, with hatred campaigns against the Chinese. Docklands, a steady income for manual labourers, is further aggravated by stories of a migrant workforce undercutting the hard-working Brits.
Cici has no tolerance for racism, and reveals her mother was German. As she watches anti-Chinese and Irish tensions simmer, she is once again compelled to act. Her investigation leads her to an opium den with a reputation for depravity: also a front for a high class brothel that services the rich, holding women as prisoners for the pleasure of (and abuse by) debauched moneyed.
Once again alienating the high powered, Forster and Cici get the brothel shut down – and Cici discovers the unrest in Docklands was planned. Fears of her Father’s involvement grow as they realise someone wealthy and powerful is intent on destabilising Britain. A highly placed German spy and saboteur is at work.
The badly beaten body of Fiona Knowles, previously thought to be a victim of chemical weapons testing, is discovered in China Town. As more mutilated young women turn up, the police take a surprising interest and the press exploit the prevalent xenophobia, with hatred campaigns against the Chinese. Docklands, a steady income for manual labourers, is further aggravated by stories of a migrant workforce undercutting the hard-working Brits.
Cici has no tolerance for racism, and reveals her mother was German. As she watches anti-Chinese and Irish tensions simmer, she is once again compelled to act. Her investigation leads her to an opium den with a reputation for depravity: also a front for a high class brothel that services the rich, holding women as prisoners for the pleasure of (and abuse by) debauched moneyed.
Once again alienating the high powered, Forster and Cici get the brothel shut down – and Cici discovers the unrest in Docklands was planned. Fears of her Father’s involvement grow as they realise someone wealthy and powerful is intent on destabilising Britain. A highly placed German spy and saboteur is at work.
Sabotage
Fact: The atrocious accident rates in munitions factories raised concerns of saboteurs, which led to the placement of WPS undercover.
Additionally, Operation Red Star went ‘live’ in September, 1915, but the deployment was a shambles. Weapons were shipped with the wrong turning key, preventing the gas from being released, resulting in Trojan horses, which were struck by German shells.
Cici agrees to go undercover at the Woolwich Arsenal, when authorities become alarmed at the high accident rate and suspect sabotage. On her very first day, Amelia is nearly killed in an ‘accident’, and is instantly suspicious her cover is blown. Rather than back off, she becomes obsessed with exposing the culprits.
Additionally, Operation Red Star went ‘live’ in September, 1915, but the deployment was a shambles. Weapons were shipped with the wrong turning key, preventing the gas from being released, resulting in Trojan horses, which were struck by German shells.
Cici agrees to go undercover at the Woolwich Arsenal, when authorities become alarmed at the high accident rate and suspect sabotage. On her very first day, Amelia is nearly killed in an ‘accident’, and is instantly suspicious her cover is blown. Rather than back off, she becomes obsessed with exposing the culprits.
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Forster, frantic at the thought of her at risk, begins his own investigation. He discovers a mastermind behind the Suffragette and Irish terrorists, the China Town campaigns inciting civil unrest, and he now suspects funding a cadre within the Royal Arsenal. The strain of relentless corruption and the growing conviction her Father’s guilt begins to tell on Amelia. Jaded and mentally exhausted, she takes unnecessary risks in pursuit of the saboteurs. Walker steps up his efforts and they once again combine forces to prevent a huge explosion at the factory. Walker kidnaps the leader and under questioning, he confirms Mr Gower’s name. Walker talks Amelia out of exposing her Father, and hides the ringleader while they review all the evidence. |
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Spanish Flu
Fact: Spanish Flu killed between 20 to 40 million people, or 3 to 5% of the world’s population, exacerbated by WWI.
As the Flu pandemic hits London, Amelia prepares to confront her Father. In a role reversal, Forster pulls Cici into investigating apparent Flu deaths in tenements, out of growing concern for her mental health.
He also encourages her to look for alternatives to her Father, and be absolutely sure of her evidence.
They discover a murderer and corrupt officials, clearing blocks for development of a power station. In a tense finale, they also realise the German spy is Mr Gower’s secretary, who has been placing a breadcrumb trail to Cici’s Father – and who is preparing to expose him. In a race against the clock, they rush to expose him before he can disable them - or complete his incrimination of Cici’s father.
As the Flu pandemic hits London, Amelia prepares to confront her Father. In a role reversal, Forster pulls Cici into investigating apparent Flu deaths in tenements, out of growing concern for her mental health.
He also encourages her to look for alternatives to her Father, and be absolutely sure of her evidence.
They discover a murderer and corrupt officials, clearing blocks for development of a power station. In a tense finale, they also realise the German spy is Mr Gower’s secretary, who has been placing a breadcrumb trail to Cici’s Father – and who is preparing to expose him. In a race against the clock, they rush to expose him before he can disable them - or complete his incrimination of Cici’s father.
