"Ten Pound Poms". A title that is not very evocative for the French public and, what is more, not easy to pronounce, but which quickly finds its explanation. The new fiction that starts on OCS this Thursday, July 13 is a historical production that follows an English family landing in Australia in 1956. These arrivals from the British Isles are nicknamed the "Poms" by the locals and the price of the boat trip from the other side of the world cost 10 pounds sterling (pounds in English). CQFD.
The series first starts in Manchester, in the north of England. There, Terry, a traumatized former soldier after being a prisoner of war in Germany during World War II, struggles to make ends meet and feed his wife, Annie, and their two children, Pattie and Peter. Yet he spends his meager income in the pub, drowning his demons in alcohol, much to his girlfriend's despair. It then falls on an advertising campaign promising a new sunny life in Australia for only 10 pounds sterling the boat crossing. The offer even dangled houses available to families who will take the plunge.
It is therefore with stars in their eyes and dreams in their heads that the quartet embarks on this new adventure. Also on board the ship is Kate, a young woman who left behind her fiancé. She is seeking to find her son whose custody has been taken away from her and who has been sent to Australia by Catholic nuns for adoption.
An obstacle course for the protagonists
Once there, everyone is disillusioned. The conditions of accommodation are far from corresponding to the beautiful promises made to them. They also suffer xenophobia from Australians against them and are shocked by the racism of which Aborigines are victims. Far from being the hoped-for utopia, this new beginning is therefore synonymous with obstacle courses for the protagonists.
"Ten Pound Poms", which was presented at the Monte-Carlo Television Festival in June, received the award for best series. It is a creation of Danny Brocklehurst, screenwriter who has worked on fiction by Harlan Coben ("Safe", "Bullying", "Don't Walk Away") and the cheerful comedy "Brassic". Warren Brown, the interpreter of Terry, has been seen in seasons of "Luther", "Shameless" or "Strike Back" and Faye Marsay (Annie) in the fictional "Andor" of the universe "Star Wars". This solid set benefits from a beautiful historical reconstruction and an exotic universe.
Too bad the scenario is a bit sluggish. By scattering over multiple destinies, he struggles to convince completely. Some twists and turns are thus superfluous, where other trajectories lack depth. "Ten Pound Poms" then remains at the stage of entertainment of beautiful quality without being the poignant epic that one could have hoped for.
Editor's note:
3/5
"Ten Pound Poms", British-Australian series by Danny Brocklehurst (2023) with Warren Brown, Faye Marsay, Michelle Keegan... Episodes 1 and 2/6 (60 and 58 minutes). Two components added every Thursday.