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SS-GB, BBC1: cast, locations, and five other things to know about the World War 2 alternate history drama

Sid Gentle Films
Sid Gentle Films

If you’ve been missing a stonking drama after the end of Apple Tree Yard, the BBC have another doozy – SS-GB.

This sure-to-be-controversial thriller gives a new spin on World War 2, and is set to generate a lot of discussion in the coming weeks.

Here are seven things you need to know about the show.

1) It’s set in an alternate history

SS-GB is set in the past – but not as we know it.

It’s 1941, the middle of World War 2 – but unlike real events, the show imagines what would have happened in the Nazis won the Battle of Britain, and the UK fell under their rule.

2) It’s based on a novel

The book of the same name was written by Len Deighton, who also wrote The IPCRESS File.

His novel was published in 1978, and he was involved in the creation of this adaptation.

3) It’s got a brilliant cast

Leading the cast is Sam Riley, who made his breakthrough as Ian Curtis in Joy Division film Control. He plays Detective Superintendent Douglas Archer, who has to investigate a murder under the SS regime.

Starring opposite Riley is Kate Bosworth, as New York Times journalist Barbara Barga, who is stationed in the UK to report what’s happening.

Celebrity Big Brother viewers will also recognise recent housemate James Cosmo, who plays Harry Woods.

Sam Riley in SS-GB (BBC/Sid Gentle Ltd/ Todd Anthony)
Sam Riley in SS-GB (BBC/Sid Gentle Ltd/ Todd Anthony)

4) It’s different to The Man in the High Castle

There’s some slight unfortunate timing for SS-GB’s release, in that Amazon has unveiled its second series of Philip K Dick adaptation The Man In the High Castle.

While both shows envision a different outcome for World War 2, they have their differences – especially with SS-GB’s British setting and the fact that it’s still set during the war.

“I would make a distinction from The Man in the High Castle, which is more sci-fi and less close to what happened,” says producer Robert Wade.

“In SS-GB, the British are living through the Occupation. The game is still not over. History is alive – and that’s what’s particularly clever about this story.”

5) It was envisioned as a big film

While the show is airing in weekly instalment, it sounds like perfect fodder for binge-viewers – and was envisioned like one long film.

“Because it was a contained story, it made it easier for us to move into TV,” says producer Neal Purvis.

“We could only really view it as a five-hour movie, because we didn't want to do anything episodic.

“We wanted it to be a classy film.”

Kate Bosworth in SS-GB (Sid Gentle Films)
Kate Bosworth in SS-GB (Sid Gentle Films)

6) The cast found the Nazi imagery ‘shocking’

As the drama needed, the set of SS-GB included a lot of Nazi imagery – especially the Swastika symbol.

“It doesn't lose its power,” Riley said. “It was so clever, so powerful, so attractive, so frightening, so dominating.”

Bosworth said: “Most films, you show up and you get used to the decor of everything, but every time I showed up, it was just so shocking and devastating.”

James Cosmo in SS-GB (BBC/Sid Gentle Films Ltd/Laurie Sparham)
James Cosmo in SS-GB (BBC/Sid Gentle Films Ltd/Laurie Sparham)

7) It was partly filmed in London – including at Buckingham Palace

The drama was partially filmed in London locations, which included posting a Spitfire plane outside Buckingham Palace and stationing German soldiers on the Mall.

Speaking to the NME, executive producer Sally Woodward Gentle: ““We tried to minimise the use of swastikas in public as far as we possibly could.

“We didn’t want anything to cause offence because it’s such evil imagery. We didn’t want to be playing with it, and we didn’t want to expose anyone to it either. When there were German soldiers on set, in between takes we covered them in ponchos.”