The Last Post (TV series)

The Last Post is a British television drama series first broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC One from 1 October to 5 November 2017. It is set in the backdrop of the Aden Emergency and a unit of the Royal Military Police depicting the conflict and the relationships of the men and their families together and with the local population. In May 2018, it was reported that a second series would not be commissioned.[1]

The Last Post
series title over a helecoptor landing in a desert location
GenreDrama
Created byPeter Moffat
Directed byJonny Campbell
Miranda Bowen
Starring
ComposerSolomon Grey
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series1
No. of episodes6
Production
Executive producersGeorge Faber
Peter Moffat
Matthew Read
Lucy Richer
Elwen Rowlands
ProducersMargery Bone
Mark Pybus
CinematographyDavid Luther
Tony Slater Ling
EditorsJamie Pearson
Sacha Szwarc
Running time59 min (6 episodes)
Production companiesBonafide Films and The Forge Entertainment
Release
Original networkBBC One
Original release1 October (2017-10-01) –
5 November 2017 (2017-11-05)

Production

Conception

Executive producer of Bonafide Films' Margery Bone proposed a story about British Army life on an army base. She approached Peter Moffat who had a military family background. Moffat suggested setting the series in the 1960s at the end of the British Empire with military personnel posted with their wives to a strategically important place. This gave a way to explore twentieth century British attitudes through a tightly knit group of people.[2]

Location

The producers needed a location similar to Aden with coast, mountains and desert and a colonial architectural influence, settling on Cape Town. A disused British naval base overlooking Simon's Town bay provided a scale which is often difficult to achieve for television.[3]

Cast and characters

Episode list
No. in
series		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateUK viewers
(millions) [4]
1"The New Man"Jonny CampbellPeter Moffat1 October 2017 (2017-10-01)6.64
Captain Joe Martin arrives with his wife, Honor, in Aden to replace the outgoing Captain Nick Page. He soon has to adjust to life on the front line and some resentment among the men that he was appointed instead of the already present Lt Ed Laithwaite. Honor is taken under the wing of Laithwaite's wife, Alison, who had been having an affair with Captain Page. Terrorists try to shoot an officer and Captain Page and his driver are ambushed.
2"Starfish"Jonny CampbellPeter Moffat8 October 2017 (2017-10-08)5.69
Following the ambush the Royal Military Police assist special forces on a dangerous mission to capture an insurgent leader, Starfish. An American reporter, Martha Franklin, travels with the police unit to their rendezvous with the special forces. The special forces walk into a trap and Major Harry Markham in command of the police unit has the dilemma of assisting the special forces or returning to camp where his wife is having a difficult childbirth. He passes the decision to Captain Martin. Starfish uses the presence of the American reporter for a horrific atrocity.
3"Above Thy Deep and Dreamless Sleep"Jonny CampbellPeter Moffat15 October 2017 (2017-10-15)5.47
Starfish is reported captured by the paratroopers. Major Markham wants Martin to recover the photographic film of the atrocity taken by Martha Franklin. Mary Markham returns home with her new baby. Alison is pregnant with Captain Page's child and her outlandish behaviour shocks everybody but her husband. Honor congratulates Ed on Alison's pregnancy. Yusra who is the Markham's home help disappears with their son, George, leaving his football shirt to be found by Franklin.
4"The CO's Boy"Miranda BowenPeter Moffat and Mick Collins22 October 2017 (2017-10-22)5.38
The RMP and other units mount a desperate search in the town for Yusra and George. The Royal Scots unit find George's teddy bear at Yusra's home. Yusra's mother and brother are arrested and her father killed escaping. Major Markham is encouraged to interview Starfish. Alison toys with the idea of self induced abortion. Honor discovers the film her husband had recovered and supposedly destroyed. Laithwaite receives information as to George's location and has to act before assistance arrives not without cost. Alison discovers she is carrying twins.
5"Precious Cargo"Miranda BowenPeter Moffat29 October 2017 (2017-10-29)5.67
Laithwaite lies critically wounded in hospital. An 8mm film is received of George under threat of beheading. Mary Markham believes there is a message in the film from Yusra. A deadline of 18.00hrs is put on George's life unless an exchange is made for Kadir Hakim. Yusra sends a coded message of George's location. Major Markham's pleas to his superiors fall on deaf ears as Hakim is moved to the coast by Captain Martin and Corporal Armstrong; the two soldiers that know of George's whereabouts.
6"The Bigger Picture"Miranda BowenPeter Moffat5 November 2017 (2017-11-05)5.84
Captain Martin is arrested for allowing the escape of a prisoner of war. Corporal Armstrong leaves camp to avoid arrest and help Yusra; only to discover her gone and her family burned alive in their home. Honor returns the film with the photographs of Starfish's atrocity to Martha Franklin. Laithwaite defends Martin at his trial. Martha Franklin meets with Starfish. Major Markham discovers written evidence of a planned secret meeting between a British Government minister and Starfish. Armstrong finds Yusra in the desert.

References
  1. "BBC cancels drama The Last Post after just one series". Radio Times. 18 May 2018. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  2. "q&a". bbc media centre. Retrieved 12 October 2017.
  3. "q&a". bbc media centre. Retrieved 12 October 2017.
  4. "Weekly Viewing Summary (see relevant week)". BARB. The viewer figures take into account live viewing in SD and HD, +1 figures, recording viewers and ITV Hub viewers within 28 days after the broadcast.
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