Our Girl

Our Girl
Genre Military drama
Created by Tony Grounds
Written by Tony Grounds
Directed by
Starring
Opening theme "War Rages On" — Alex Clare (Series 1)
"Hear You Calling" — Birdy (Series 2)
"Battlecry" — Jordan Mackampa (Series 3)
Composer(s) Ben Foster
Country of origin United Kingdom
Original language(s) English
No. of series 4
No. of episodes 24 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s)
Producer(s)
Production location(s) Hertfordshire
Camp Bastion[1]
Army Training Centre, Pirbright[2]
South Africa[3]
Editor(s) Ben Drury
Running time 60 minutes
Production company(s) BBC Studios
Distributor RLJ Entertainment
Release
Original network BBC One
Picture format 16:9 (1080i)
Audio format Stereo
Original release 24 March 2013 (2013-03-24) – present
External links
Website

Our Girl is a British television military drama series, written and created by Tony Grounds, first broadcast on BBC One on 24 March 2013.[4] The series initially starred Lacey Turner as Molly Dawes, a young woman from a working-class background who joins the British Army after deciding her life is going nowhere.[4] Following the feature-length pilot episode, a full series of five episodes was commissioned, commencing broadcast on 21 September 2014.[4] For the series, Iwan Rheon and Ben Aldridge joined the main cast as Private Dylan "Smurf" Smith and Captain Charles James respectively.[5]

Turner left her role after the first series, and was replaced by Michelle Keegan as the series' new lead, Lance Corporal Georgie Lane.[6] Ben Aldridge returned to the cast, with newcomers Luke Pasqualino and Royce Pierreson amongst the new cast members. The second five-episode series began airing on 7 September 2016. An extended third series, comprising twelve episodes, was commissioned in 2017.[7] Initially due to be broadcast in three blocks of four episodes, filming for this series took place in Nepal, South Africa and Malaysia. Keegan, Pasqualino and Aldridge all returned for this series, with Shalom Brune-Franklin and Rudi Dharmalingam amongst the new cast members for this series. The first four episodes, known as the Nepal Tour, began broadcasting on 10 October 2017. The remaining eight episodes aired consecutively from 5 June 2018, with Olly Rix joining the cast as new special forces Captain "Bones" McClyde.[8]

Plot

Pilot (2013)

18-year-old Molly Dawes (Lacey Turner), who lives in the East End of London, decides to join the army, deciding her life has no purpose on discovering that her boyfriend has been cheating on her. Encouraged only by the manager of the recruitment office, Sergeant Lamont (Paul Fox), she initially keeps her decision a secret from her family, which consists of her controlling father Dave (Sean Gallagher) and doting mother Belinda (Kerry Godliman). When the truth is exposed, Dave demands she changes her mind, threatening to disown her if she does not; leaving her to make the heartbreaking decision to step away as she heads off to training camp. Here, Corporal Geddings (Matthew McNulty) initially doubts Molly's merits as a potential soldier, but she strives to prove herself and eventually earns the respect of her peers, even reuniting with her mother Belinda when she visits her to apologise for Dave's actions.[9]

Series 1 (2014)

Molly has completed training as a Combat Medical Technician. She is deployed to Afghanistan attached to a British Army infantry section based from a small UK/ANA shared FOB somewhere in Helmand.[10] She arrives at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan alongside her new team, 2 Section, who are all males. She is disconcerted when she discovers that an ex-flame, Dylan "Smurf" Smith (Iwan Rheon), belongs to her new section, and gets off on the wrong foot with haughty team leader Captain Charles James (Ben Aldridge), a hailed war hero. On arrival in Afghanistan, Molly fights to prove herself to the men around her while also offering compassion to the locals, including 11-year-old Afghan girl Bashira (Becky Eggersglusz), giving herself an understanding of what it is like to be a civilian caught up in the Taliban's war.

Series 2 (2016)

Lance Corporal Georgie Lane (Michelle Keegan) is dispatched on a humanitarian tour to Kenya with 2 Section, and she quickly becomes involved in the activities of a terrorist group. Georgie's ex-fiancé, Elvis (Luke Pasqualino), a special forces officer in the Special Air Service, frequently attempts to regain her trust after jilting her at the altar on their wedding day several years previously. However, Georgie now has a new boyfriend, Dr. Jamie Cole (Royce Pierreson). Molly has been written out of the story, having returned to Afghanistan for a short tour off-screen. It is briefly mentioned by Captain James that he and Molly are now married.[11]

Series 3: Part 1 (2017)

Georgie, now a Corporal, is dispatched alongside 2 Section on a humanitarian mission to Nepal following an earthquake. 2 Section discover a group responsible for trafficking children, connected to the Taliban, which sends them on a covert mission in the heart of Afghanistan supporting special forces. Captain James struggles with the point of British involvement in Afghanistan, and Elvis is desperate to get Georgie back. However, she is uninterested and meets a Nepalese engineer, Milan (Rudi Dharmalingam), whom she takes a shine to. Meanwhile, romance between the two new privates of 2 Section, Maisie (Shalom Brune-Franklin) and Rab (Harki Bhambra), blossoms.

Series 3: Part 2 (2018)

Following Elvis' death, Georgie returns to duty as 2 Section are deployed to Nigeria to help the Nigerian Army in the fight against Boko Haram. But when she goes in search of a group of missing children, who are suspected of having been trafficked out of the country, she is kidnapped and held hostage by a group of Boko Haram rebels. Undercover Special Forces Captain "Bones" McClyde (Olly Rix), who has spent the last six months infiltrating Boko Haram, is forced to break cover in order to save Georgie. Later, 2 Section find themselves in Belize for a jungle training exercise. But when Captain James is severely injured by a bandit trap, Georgie is forced to put her all her skills into action in a desperate attempt to save him. In Bangladesh, 2 Section are called to assist local police inspector Chowdrey (Navin Chowdhry) and his wife Barsha (Farzana Dua Elahe) who are running a refugee camp for thousands forced to flee from their war-torn villages, but Georgie soon begins to suspect the inspector of being involved in the trafficking of prostitutes and drug smuggling.

Reception

The feature-length pilot episode first broadcast on BBC One on 24 March 2013 at 9:00pm. Based on official overnight figures, it gained an audience of 5.34 million viewers.[4] Consolidated viewing increased this figure to 6.31 million.[12] The pilot received mixed to positive reviews, with Dan Owen of MSN praising Turner's acting and the moving storyline, while criticising some of the characterisation and "weird shortcuts in the storyline".[13] Sarah Crompton of The Telegraph found the pilot "compelling" but argued that "the depiction of the army – which became too obviously her surrogate family – would be better suited to a glossy advertising campaign than a television drama, glamorising both its methods and its personnel".[14] Audience reaction on social media website Twitter was overall positive.[4]

Broadcast

The series premiered in Australia on ABC on 16 April 2015.[15] In New Zealand, the series premiered on TVNZ on 3 May 2015.[16] In Sweden, the series premiered on SVT on 15 June 2015. In Finland, the series premiered on Yle on 20 March 2017. On 7 April 2016 the series premiered in Germany under the title Eine Frau an der Front (A Woman on the Frontline) and in France and Belgium under the title Molly, une femme au combat (Molly: A Woman In Battle).[17]

Cast

2 Section

  • Lacey Turner as Private Molly Dawes (Pilot—Series 1)
  • Michelle Keegan as Corporal Georgie Lane (Series 2—)
  • Ben Aldridge as Captain Charles James (Series 1—)
  • Simon Lennon as Private Harry "Brains" Wiggerty (Series 1—)
  • Sean Ward as Private "Fingers" Stille (Series 1—)
  • Sean Sagar as Private Jaiden "Monk" Montgomery (Series 2—)
  • Rolan Bell as Platoon Sergeant "Kingy" King (Series 2—)
  • Harki Bhambra as Private Rab Kalil (Series 3.1—)
  • Shalom Brune-Franklin as Private Maisie Richards (Series 3.1—)
  • Patrick McNamee as Private Jason "Ruby" Curry (Series 3.2—)
  • John Michie as Brigadier (Series 3.2—)
  • Iwan Rheon as Private Dylan "Smurf" Smith (Series 1)
  • Lawrence Walker as Private "Dangleberries" (Series 1—2)
  • Nick Preston as Private Mike "Mansfield Mike" Cheam (Series 1—2)
  • Arinze Kene as Corporal "Eggy" Kinders (Series 1)
  • Charley Palmer Rothwell as Private "Baz Vegas" (Series 1)
  • Ade Oyefeso as Private "Nude-Nut" (Series 1)

Special Forces

  • Luke Pasqualino as Captain Elvis Harte (Series 2—3.1)
  • Olly Rix as Captain "Bones" McClyde (Series 3.1—3.4)
  • Mark Armstrong as SFS "Spanner" (Series 2—)
  • Dwane Walcott as SFS "Peanut" (Series 3.1—)
  • Ashley Houston as SFS "Dyno" (Series 3.1—)
  • Jed O'Hagan as SFS "Spunky" (Series 2)
  • Jack Parry Jones as SFS "Jackson" (Series 2)

Families

Army

Other

  • Zubin Varla as Qaseem (Series 1)
  • Becky Eggersglusz as Bashira (Series 1)
  • Michael James as Jason Raynott (Series 2)
  • Yusra Warsama as Nafula (Series 2)
  • Anna Tenta as Kicki (Series 2)
  • Rudi Dharmalingam as Milan (Series 3.1)
  • Salina Shrestha as Tara (Series 3.1)
  • Sabin Basnet as Da Chand (Series 3.1)
  • Navin Chowdhry as Inspector Chowdhrey (Series 3.2)
  • Farzana Dua Elahe as Barsha Chowdhrey (Series 3.2)

Episodes

SeriesEpisodesOriginally airedAverage UK viewers
(millions)[18]
First airedLast aired
1521 September 2014 (2014-09-21)19 October 2014 (2014-10-19)5.24
257 September 2016 (2016-09-07)5 October 2016 (2016-10-05)6.07
312410 October 2017 (2017-10-10)31 October 2017 (2017-10-31)TBA
85 June 2018 (2018-06-05)[19]24 July 2018 (2018-07-24)

Pilot (2013)

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateUK viewers
(millions)
1"Pilot"David DruryTony Grounds24 March 2013 (2013-03-24)6.31
Molly Dawes decides to change her life for the better and break away from her meaningless life by joining the army. However, the decision is not well received by either of her parents, and, having been forced to sever ties with them, she finds herself facing plain hard graft when it comes to training. However, Molly is determined to prove herself.

Series 1 (2014)

No.
overall
No. in
series
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateUK viewers
(millions)
11"Time"Anthony PhilipsonTony Grounds21 September 2014 (2014-09-21)5.22
Molly has been training for more than a year now, but is still thrown when she is told she is about to be sent to Camp Bastion in Afghanistan. With no time to say goodbye or consider what she is about to travel into, Molly finds herself with immediate adversaries in the forms of her fellow soldier 'Smurf', an ex-fling, and her captain, James, who doubts her competence as an army medic. Thrown into a dangerous situation almost immediately, Molly fights to prove herself and to save a life.
22"Feelings"Anthony PhilipsonTony Grounds28 September 2014 (2014-09-28)4.90
Smurf returns to the team following his recovery and immediately notes that Molly is becoming too attached to a local girl, Bashira. However, when Bashira warns her of a possible attack, Molly is left fearing for her own safety and Bashira's, knowing that her father will likely punish her. Elsewhere, she finds herself caught between Smurf and Captain James, with Smurf showing an active interest but her true feelings lying with her captain.
33"Changes"Richard SeniorTony Grounds5 October 2014 (2014-10-05)4.81
Molly returns home on rest and recuperation leave but finds that her life and perspective on the world have changed beyond measure since she has been away. Her family can see that they are growing apart. When she visits fellow squaddie Smurf, they bond over their shared difficulties in this new domesticity and both wish they were back in Afghanistan. As they grow closer, Smurf reveals he has fallen for Molly. Unfortunately her affections lie elsewhere - back in Camp Bastion with Captain James.
44"Love"Richard SeniorTony Grounds12 October 2014 (2014-10-12)5.28
The platoon, preparing to withdraw from Afghanistan, is bored in Camp Bastion. Emotions ride high as both Captain James and Smurf declare their love for Molly, who worryingly finds herself at the centre of an illicit love triangle that contravenes army regulations. Trouble finds Molly one last time as she becomes entangled in a raid against the Taliban - and soon the entire platoon are sent on a final terrifying mission as a consequence. Not one of our three heroes can afford to take their eye off the job, not for a single moment, or disaster will surely strike. James, Smurf and Molly know the rules. But isn't love stronger than army regulations?
55"Heroes"Anthony PhilipsonTony Grounds19 October 2014 (2014-10-19)4.92
As she returns home from Afghanistan, difficult questions rain down upon Molly Dawes. Who will live and who will die? Can she ever pick up the pieces? Brave choices beckon for Our Girl as she faces her biggest challenge yet: how will she face her own future?

Series 2 (2016)

No.
overall
No. in
series
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateUK viewers
(millions)
61"Lane"Jan MatthysTony Grounds7 September 2016 (2016-09-07)6.23
Lance Corporal Georgie Lane, an experienced army medic, joins Captain James and 2 Section on a humanitarian tour of Kenya. Despite being desperate to return home to marry her fiance, Dr Jamie Cole, Georgie jumps straight into action when an IED attack on a refugee camp on the border of Somalia results in multiple casualties. Georgie meets aid worker Kicki, who runs a charity hospital across the border. When Kicki is later kidnapped by a terrorist group, Georgie's determination to find her lands her in great danger.
72"Going On"Jan MatthysTony Grounds14 September 2016 (2016-09-14)6.23
Having been taken hostage by the terrorist group, Georgie finally learns of Kicki's whereabouts. Captain James requests help from a special forces unit to storm the base where Georgie is being held, but is shocked to discover that Elvis is leading the operation. Georgie tries to make an ally out of kindlier Zeki under the nose of her captors, but her plan backfires, leading her into grave danger. With the help of 2 Section, Elvis' unit mount an attack on the base and manage to bring Georgie to safety, but Kicki isn't so fortunate.
83"Look Now"Jan MatthysTony Grounds21 September 2016 (2016-09-21)6.06
Georgie identifies members of the Al Shabad cell, which allows Special Forces to co-ordinate an air strike on their suspected holding ground. Captain James announces that 2 Section have been granted two days rest before returning home to Britain, but during a beach party, a robbery in a nearby hotel turns into a shootout, forcing Elvis to take dramatic action. An exhausted Georgie can't wait to get home to see her family and fiancė Jamie, but unable to hide his feelings any longer, a desperate Elvis is forced to come clean.
94"Ready"Luke SnellinTony Grounds28 September 2016 (2016-09-28)5.79
Georgie continues to make plans for her wedding, but is surprised when Elvis summons her to a private meeting in Whitehall with Special Branch. Intel suggests that radical convert Abu escaped the air strike in Kenya and has re-entered the country on a false passport. As Jamie begins to grow increasingly concerned about Georgie's welfare, he seeks out Captain James for advice. Elvis and his unit are called to assist when intel suggests that Abu and his associates are to carry out a series of co-ordinated attacks across Manchester.
105"Afterwards"Luke SnellinTony Grounds5 October 2016 (2016-10-05)6.03
Georgie and Jamie prepare for their big day, but Georgie isn't able to extinguish the thought of Abu still being free to roam the streets. Georgie decides to contact his ex-girlfriend Saira, in the hope of obtaining information that could lead to his capture. Elvis persuades Georgie that Abu will target her wedding ceremony, forcing her to postpone the wedding until the following day. But just as she prepares to walk down the aisle, Georgie realises who the real target is, and with the help of Elvis, sets about bringing Abu to justice.

Series 3: Part 1 (2017)

No.
overall
No. in
series
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateUK viewers
(millions)
111"Nepal Tour: Episode 1"Tim FywellTony Grounds10 October 2017 (2017-10-10)6.30
2 Section are deployed on a humanitarian mission to Nepal after an earthquake, where newly promoted Georgie has her patience tested by a new recruit, Private Maisie Richards.
122"Nepal Tour: Episode 2"Tim FywellTony Grounds17 October 2017 (2017-10-17)5.73
When some children, including Tara, are abducted from the village, Georgie leads a rescue mission to Kathmandu, where her relationship with Milan blossoms.
133"Nepal Tour: Episode 3"Jon WrightAmy Roberts & Loren Mclaughlan24 October 2017 (2017-10-24)5.51
2 Section are in Afghanistan on a covert mission deep in the heart of the country. Georgie and Elvis are thrown together in some extreme circumstances, while Maisie begins to suspect something about Captain James' mate and fellow soldier, Captain Azizi.
144"Nepal Tour: Episode 4"Jon WrightTony Grounds31 October 2017 (2017-10-31)5.36
An exhausted 2 Section retreat to Kabul only to be ordered to support Elvis in a final mission to capture Omar. Following Captain Azizi's death, Captain James struggles to come to terms with the point of British involvement in Afghanistan. Romance between Elvis and Georgie is in the air, but is grounded due to an unexpected turn of events.

Series 3: Part 2 (2018)

No.
overall
No. in
series
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateUK viewers
(millions)
155"Nigeria Tour: Episode 1[20]"Rob EvansTony Grounds5 June 2018 (2018-06-05)5.00
Georgie throws herself into her work training Nigerian forces in the fight against Boko Haram, only to find herself pitched headlong into danger.
166"Nigeria Tour: Episode 2[20]"Rob EvansTony Grounds12 June 2018 (2018-06-12)4.73
Georgie and the others must wait bravely as the ruthless Boko Haram rebels beat the Nigerian military members of their group. With their fate seemingly teetering on a knife edge, they are shocked when they discover that the local crime boss is in fact an undercover special forces operative. As he relays a plan to them, back at base Captain James is equally shocked to discover that the mercenary is also one of the undercover SF unit named Bones, and is an old acquaintance from Sandhurst - someone with whom he has history. As Georgie and the others are freed in a stunning operation, 2 Section and special forces work on recovering the beaten and imprisoned Nigerian military medic, trading him for the rebel leader's son who has been detained by 2 Section. A tense stand-off ensues, with the rebels booby-trapping the prisoners. Will they all make it out alive?
177"Belize Tour: Episode 1[20]"Noreen KershawTony Grounds19 June 2018 (2018-06-19)5.32
Recovering after the ordeals of both Afghanistan and Nigeria, Georgie and 2 Section find themselves in Belize for a jungle training exercise and hopefully some much-needed R&R. But when Georgie learns that James has seemingly criticised her in a report into Elvis's death, she becomes angry and distant. Wanting to prove herself a capable leader on the training exercise, she leads a team against James to settle a score, but is forced to step up when events take a turn for the worse. 2 Section retreat back to base to raise the alarm, while Georgie and James must work together to evade the wrath of a lethal drug gang who are operating nearby.
188"Belize Tour: Episode 2[20]"Noreen KershawTony Grounds26 June 2018 (2018-06-26)5.42
With the training exercise now having become a fully fledged rescue mission, Georgie and James are compelled to use every ounce of cunning and training to evade capture while they wait to be rescued. As Bones and his special forces unit lead the effort to rescue them without attracting unwanted attention, Georgie and James, helped by local teenager Ezra, must overcome seemingly insurmountable odds. As well as evading capture, Georgie and James must also re-evaluate their professional relationship after James makes a stunning confession - a confession that not only forces Georgie to re-examine their relationship, but also forces James to ask if army life is still for him.
199"Bangladesh Tour: Episode 1[20]"Brian GrantTony Grounds4 July 2018 (2018-07-04)[fn 1]4.18
Six months on from Captain James's accident and 2 Section find themselves under the brutal command of the recently demoted Bones. Keen to toughen them up, he also wants to show the brigadier he's capable of leadership. They get to work in a refugee camp run by Barsha Chowdhrey, the wife of the local police chief. Inspector CHowdhrey is known for his hatred of the corruption in the region and at a gala held for the Brigadier, he becomes the target of an assassination attempt. 2 Section are forced to act.
2010"Bangladesh Tour: Episode 2[20]"Brian GrantKelly Jones17 July 2018 (2018-07-17)[fn 2]4.65
2 Section have the camp on lockdown as Inspector Chowdhrey explains that the refugee route might be being exploited by yaba dealers, a local drug coming over the border from Myanmar. When Georgie meets Maya, a sex worker and yaba addict who is being treated at the clinic, she starts investigations of her own.
2111"Bangladesh Tour: Episode 3[20]"Sarah O'GormanTony Grounds23 July 2018 (2018-07-23)[fn 3]4.47
2212"Bangladesh Tour: Episode 4[20]"Sarah O'GormanTony Grounds24 July 2018 (2018-07-24)4.67
  1. This episode was originally due for broadcast on 3 July, but was moved due to coverage of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
  2. This episode was originally due for broadcast on 10 July, but was originally moved to 13 July due to coverage of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. However, due to overrunning coverage of Wimbledon 2018, broadcast was again moved to 17 July.
  3. This episode was originally due for broadcast on 17 July, but was moved due to the delayed broadcast of Episode 2.

References

  1. "BBC One enlists Lacey Turner for Tony Grounds' compelling new drama Our Girl". BBC Media Centre. 18 October 2012. Retrieved 25 March 2013.
  2. "BBC Studios and Post Production completes post production for upcoming BBC One prime-time drama, Our Girl". BBC Studios and Post Production. 18 March 2013. Retrieved 25 March 2013.
  3. "lacey turner on Twitter". Twitter.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Fletcher, Alex (25 March 2013). "Lacey Turner's 'Our Girl' may return as full series, says writer". Digital Spy. Retrieved 25 March 2013.
  5. Melanie Hancill (24 March 2013). "Lacey Turner Q&A: Our Girl, getting fit and why she'll never escape Stacey Slater - Mirror Online". Mirror.co.uk. Retrieved 25 March 2013.
  6. "Our Girl series 2 confirmed". Radio Times. 21 June 2015. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
  7. http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/proginfo/2017/41/our-girl
  8. "Olly Rix character interview". BBC. 29 May 2018. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
  9. Munn, Patrick (4 December 2012). "BBC Dramas 'Luther', 'Our Girl' & 'Peaky Blinders' Book Guest Stars". tvwise.co.uk. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  10. "BBC One Picks Up 'Our Girl' To Series, Orders 'Grey Mates' Comedy & KFC Documentary Series". TVWise.co.uk. Retrieved 2 December 2013.
  11. Freeth, Becky. "Michelle Keegan lands lead in BBC army drama Our Girl and says she's looking forward to the 'challenge' | Daily Mail Online". Dailymail.co.uk. Retrieved 2015-10-16.
  12. "Top 30s / Mar 18 - Mar 24 / BBC1". Broadcasters' Audience Research Board (BARB). Retrieved 7 April 2013.
  13. Owen, Dan (25 March 2013). "Our Girl: Lacey Turner superb in BBC army drama". MSN TV. Retrieved 25 March 2013.
  14. Crompton, Sarah (25 March 2013). "Our Girl, BBC One, review". The Telegraph. Retrieved 25 March 2013.
  15. Knox, David (13 April 2015). "Airdate=Our Girl". TV Tonight. Retrieved 13 April 2015.
  16. "Our Girl | Television New Zealand | Entertainment | TV One, TV2". Tvnz.co.nz. Retrieved 2015-10-16.
  17. "Our Girl". imdb.com. Retrieved 2016-04-07.
  18. "Weekly top 30 programmes". BARB. Retrieved 13 January 2017.
  19. Pearce, Tilly (29 May 2018). "When does Our Girl series four start on BBC One, who's in the cast with Michelle Keegan and what's it about?". The Sun. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
  20. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Radio Times - Our Girl - Episode Guide". Radio Times. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
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