Close to the Enemy, BBC2: cast, locations, and four other things to know about the wartime drama

Jim Sturgess stars in a period drama set in the wake of World War II
Ben Travis11 November 2016

Already binged the entire series of The Crown on Netflix? Here’s another period treat to enjoy, also set in the recent past.

BBC Two’s Close to the Enemy is set in war-damaged London, following a set of characters whose lives were changed forever by the second World War.

Here’s what you need to know.

1) It’s from Stephen Poliakoff

The acclaimed writer behind Perfect Strangers and Shooting the Past has written and directed this seven-part historical drama.

“I have written a lot about the 1930s, but never about 1946 before,” Poliakoff said. “It was a pivotal moment when the Cold War was just starting. The military had a big role in post-war society. They controlled hotels and stately homes where they bugged the rooms so they could listen to German officers nattering.”

2) It’s set just after World War II

The story follows a British intelligence office Cpt. Callum Ferguson, who captures German scientist in Dieter Koehler in the wake of World War II. Koehler has to help the British RAF develop the jet engine as the threat of the Cold War looms.

The drama largely takes place in a hotel in London, still bomb-damaged from the war.

3) The cast is fantastic

In the lead role is Jim Sturgess, best known for his roles in One Day and Cloud Atlas.

“It’s brilliant because it is so delicate,” he explains. “It is very different from American TV scripts which are full of twists and turns and shocks and cliff-hangers. There is none of that in Stephen’s writing. His work is so enthralling. You want to continue down the corridor with him and have a peek.”

Also starring is Finding Neverland’s Freddie Highmore as Callum’s younger brother, traumatised by the war, as well as Charlotte Riley, Alfred Molina, Game of Thrones’ Alfie Allen, and Robert Glenister.

Charlotte Riley as Rachel Lombard 
BBC/Little Island Productions

4) It was mostly filmed in Liverpool

Standing in for London was Liverpool, where an old bank was used as the set for the main hotel in the show.

“The building size allowed us enough room to convert it into a hotel,” explains producer Helen Flint. “Nowadays, in London we don't have empty buildings that we can use easily for sets, so as an industry we are constantly searching for places to film outside the capital.”

5) You might recognise the German actor in it

Playing Dieter Kohler in the show is a German actor whose name you might not recognise – but you might know his face.

August Diehl has previously starred in the likes of Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds (which notably featured a lot of German spoken dialogue), and Angelina Jolie thriller Salt.

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6) You don’t have to be a history buff to enjoy it

Close to the Edge has a historical setting – but it’s not just for historians.

“It’s the opposite of a history lesson. It’s not making a point. All I’m doing is telling the best story I can to reveal the world at a very interesting moment,” Poliakoff says.

“It was a time when people were forced to make very tough decisions. The drama encourages people to think, ‘what would I have done?’ You don’t need to be interested in history to be intrigued by that.”

BBC Two, 9pm

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