ITV Commissions WWII Drama The Halcyon

LONDON: ITV in the U.K. has greenlit the period drama The Halcyon, set in 1940s London.

Produced by Left Bank Pictures, the 8×1-hour series will tell the story of a bustling and glamorous five-star hotel at the center of London society during a time of war. Charlotte Jones (Trust Me) created the series and will also write. Filming will take place in London and surrounding areas starting in April 2016.

“A hotel is the perfect place to show ambition in telling the story of World War II,” said ITV’s director of drama, Steve November. “It was an extraordinary time in our country’s history, and London was a transforming city. The Halcyon takes us right to the heart of this as the hotel is busy, energetic and vibrant, which reflects how people carried on with their lives with defiance in the air.”

Andy Harries, Left Bank’s CEO, remarked: “1940 is one of the most dramatic years in our island’s history. Who could have imagined that London would survive the blitz and Luftwaffe’s attempted destruction of the city? What was it like to be in a five-star hotel in the West End through this extraordinary period?

“It’s such a compelling idea for a drama. The world of the Halcyon hotel has to carry on, through thick and thin and against all odds. The bedrooms have to be made safe, the bars have to stay open, and the band has to play on. People have to sleep, eat and survive.

“Our opening line says it all: ‘It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.’”