Editor's note: returns to 大象传媒 One on Sunday 21 September 2014 for a five part series. This follows a successful broadcast in March 2013 which explored how (played by Lacey Turner) came to join the army.
What was your ambition for the series?
I wanted to write a drama about what it was like being a foot soldier in Afghanistan and looking at the issues from their point of view. There鈥檚 a big chain of command in the army so I thought it would be really interesting to write about the war from the perspective of a new recruit, such as a Private like , especially when prior to her army training she wouldn鈥檛 have even known where it is, let alone how to spell it! With , Molly was going through her basic training so there was a quite a linear path for us to follow. However the series, and Molly鈥檚 deployment to Afghanistan as a medic, opens up much more potential to explore the issues of what happens to soldiers out there.
What changes will we see in Molly across the series?
We saw Molly go through quite a dramatic change in the single but this time we鈥檒l see how the deployment really makes her grow up. She鈥檚 never been abroad before so doesn鈥檛 know what to expect. We experience her discovering Afghanistan and, no matter what preconceptions we might have from the news reports, suddenly we鈥檙e seeing it through Molly鈥檚 eyes and she sees it as the most beautiful country imaginable. But like anyone who鈥檚 been involved in a war, the experience changes Molly forever. Her comrades in become as important as family to her and not least because they鈥檙e the only ones who can understand what her new life is like. There鈥檚 something written indelibly across her soul which says Afghanistan and her comrades.
Is there romance on the horizon for Molly?
Molly falls madly in love with who heads up Two Section. She鈥檚 besotted with this whole new world which is represented by him and certainly never thought that someone like him would ever look at her. Molly sees that James is a whole different level to the boyfriends she鈥檚 had before, including the likes of someone such as who has also fallen in love with her. But of course it鈥檚 a massive taboo for all of them because you鈥檙e not allowed to have a relationship with anybody in your platoon and especially not your Officer. It鈥檚 something you鈥檇 be drummed out of the army for so they鈥檙e all aware that it could lead to serious trouble.
There鈥檚 a strong camaraderie among the platoon in the script. Did this translate among the cast in real life?
They honestly became like a real section. They were thrown together for six months, not having met before, and, as with the army, what happens in that six months could change their lives. They went through a short but intense period of training to get their heads into army life, and had to retain that focus throughout the shoot. They had to get on, bond and work together so that they became like a real platoon. We tried to utilise their youthful energy and it definitely worked to our advantage.
What do you hope viewers will take away from the new series?
You just want them to understand what it must be like going out there as a young person, to feel what Molly must feel like to be suddenly thrown into this bewildering new world. It鈥檚 more than just joining the army. You want the audience to sympathise with the soldiers but also love Afghanistan as well with a bit of hope and a way forward. But it鈥檚 a love story too so you put them through the ringer!
- Watch on 大象传媒 iPlayer, see clips, more interviews and meet the characters