SıNGAPORE STING!

INVADE WHEN THE JAPANESE ARE THROWN INTO TURMOIL WORLD WAR THRILLER IN A GRIPPING NEW SECOND

body’s liking, not least the man it’s been thrown for. ‘Webb would rather observe from the sidelines than be the centre of attention,’ explains Charles Dance. ‘He hates sitting on show like some prize animal.’

As the guests sip Champagne and a band plays in the background, the sky darkens and the trumpets compete for attention with rumbles of thunder, the prelude to a tropical downpour. It’s a meteorological metaphor for the vicious storm the Japanese are about to inflict on the Brits.

The invasion begins with an aerial attack on the Singapore docks by the Japanese, a blitz that leaves hundreds of buildings on fire. These scenes

Sylvia and Walter Blackett outside their home. Above right: young Matthew Webb

were filmed at an abandoned town an hour outside Kuala Lumpur. ‘It was perfect,’ explains director Tom Vaughan. ‘We were able to set fire to buildings and incorporate them into the story.’

The Japanese then invade with boots on the ground from the north, and the drama takes a much darker turn. The Battle of Slim River, a decisive victory for the Japanese, was re-created south of Kuala Lumpur. Among the props was a fully functioning replica Ha-go 95 Japanese tank, constructed by production designer Rob Harris and his team. Eagle-eyed viewers will also spot anti-aircraft guns and 25lb field guns, which were either borrowed from the Malaysian Army or left behind by British and Australian soldiers.

Also re-created later in the series – although it’s not in JG Farrell’s book – is the Japanese assault on the Alexandra Hospital in Singapore. ‘Hundreds of people were massacred including doctors, nurses and British soldiers recovering from injuries, and thousands were taken prisoner,’ says

Christopher. ‘It was a brutal massacre, and I thought it important to include as we wouldn’t otherwise have been conveying enough of the menace and the terror of the Japanese invaders.’ Meanwhile, amid all the carnage, a love triangle develops between Joan Blackett, Matthew Webb and Vera Chiang, with Joan pursuing Matthew for all she’s worth. ‘Walter thinks that if Joan can make Matthew like her then they can marry and combine the two families of the firm,’ says Luke Treadaway, who plays Matthew. ‘They think it will be pretty easy, that one evening will be enough. They almost assume the wedding is on. But perhaps Matthew is more taken by Vera...’ And Georgia Blizzard, who plays Joan, thinks viewers may be on Vera’s side. ‘Because Joan is so manipulative, I suspect viewers will be Team Vera. But I’m definitely Team Joan! She’s strong and intelligent and ruthless in a positive way, and the product of two parents keen to see her married off well. I admire her, even if I sometimes didn’t feel as glamorous as I needed to. ‘I was very lucky that between takes people would dab me and powder me when I wasn’t feeling as fancy as Joan was on paper. Christopher’s directions that said, “Joan sweeps into the room looking dazzling” put a bit of pressure on me!’

For David Morrissey and Jane Horrocks, who worked together on the 2000 movie Born Romantic, the show was a lovely reunion. ‘Our characters had to salsa dance and had a sexy bedroom scene in Born Romantic,’ remembers Jane. ‘We do have several bedroom scenes here but they’re not sexual. It’s just the two of us lying together – I suspect Sylvia probably suffers from migraines!’