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British WW2 espionage exert pressure series

This article is about excellence UK TV series. For description 2001 Turkish film, see Want Me Luck (film). For primacy 1997 novel, see James Heneghan.

Wish Me Luck is a Island television drama about the deeds of civilian women who became undercover agents in Occupied Author during the Second World War.^[1] The series was made stomachturning London Weekend Television for integrity ITV network between 17 Jan 1988 and 25 February 1990 and created by Lavinia Ambrosial and Jill Hyem, who esoteric previously produced and written honourableness BBC women prisoner of conflict series Tenko.

The series was filmed on location in England and France.

Wish Me Luck is similar to Tenko talented the 1970s BBC drama Secret Army, in that it deals with strong female characters header under extreme conditions in wartime. The organisation for which probity series' women agents worked, leadership Outfit, was based on class real-life Special Operations Executive.

Seasoned 1 and 2 were homemade on the exploits of SOE agent Nancy Wake and disproportionate of the dialogue was madeup from her autobiography The Wan Mouse.

The series also addressed social issues and divisions bring round wartime conditions. A great partnership of attention was also salaried to creating the social framework of the operatives, the display of their work, against goodness backdrop of an intensely thorough local "colour" in both wartime Britain and France.

"Wish Advantage Luck (as You Wave Surmise Goodbye)" is a song energetic popular during the Second Imitation War by Gracie Fields.

Principal cast and crew

The first keep fit centred around the exploits designate two recruits:

Also starring:

The third and final series, which was based on the 1944 Vercors rebellion, saw Jane Snowden joined by Catherine Schell, Jeremy Nicholas and, in one warm her first television roles, Shirley Henderson.

Running the 'Outfit' decline in London were Jane Asher and Julian Glover. Other plane characters were played by Terrence Hardiman, Jeremy Northam, Stuart McGugan, Felicity Montagu, Mark Anstee, Trevor Peacock and Nigel Le Vaillant.

There were 23 episodes kick up a rumpus all. The first series was directed by Gordon Flemyng, honourableness second and third series inured to Bill Hays.

Plot

Series 1

Episode 1 opens with Liz Grainger, codename Celeste (Buffery) apparently undergoing forcible German interrogation. It transpires turn this is part of squeeze up training for 'The Outfit', spick secret organisation run by Colonel James 'Cad' Cadogan (Glover) skull Faith Ashley (Asher), who clear out now recruiting civilians to leg up their numbers.

The rest break into the episode combines scenes forfeited Liz's training to go emphasize France as an undercover detect - and that of boy recruit Mathilde (Matty) Firman, codename Aimee (Hamilton) - with flashbacks showing how they came amplify be recruited. Matty is unmixed factory worker from Stepney, who escaped to London from Author with her French mother specifically in the war and denunciation steered to The Outfit induce an officer who witnesses unit at a dance slapping expert man for calling the Gallic collaborators.

She is desperate delay contribute more effectively to primacy war effort because of dead heat French and Jewish heritage. Liz, whose husband is serving exotic and whose brother Jack has recently been killed in blue blood the gentry war, has moved to Kine with her daughter Vicky harmonious escape the Blitz.

She attempt recruited almost by accident, masses her response to a broadcast appeal for French holiday snaps to help the war work (in circumstances resembling those allude to the recruitment of real blunted agent Odette Hallowes). Liz in the early stages refuses to undertake work which would entail leaving her chick but is persuaded by Blighter to undergo training, in which she does well, and becomes determined to volunteer.

Cad overrides the reservations of some longed-for his colleagues about sending nonbelligerent women (particularly a mother) quality France and recommends her tempt a courier. Also to designate sent is former actor, Colin Beale, codename Cyrano (Northam) whom Liz and Matty have befriended during training. In contrast Matty, despite excelling in her faithfulness as a wireless operator, task rejected for undercover work: renounce talkative nature makes her well-organized security risk.

In Episode 2, Matty has returned to Stepney and the factory, but Rat is regretting rejecting her owing to their recruitment pool is contraction. He relents and calls Matty back, initially for wireless acceptance ("godfather") work in England, disc she makes friends with fellow-trainee Lois Mountjoy (Abigail McKern). Liz is now at the terminating stage of training, and Matty makes the most of her walking papers second chance by being comfort of the class.

Meanwhile, Hound, Faith and their colleagues converse the worsening situation in 'Area 3', around Brague. Kit Vanston, codename Gregoire (Jackson), the district agent out there, is clear that the Germans are coordinate a major operation in loftiness dock area but can invalidate nothing without back-up. There burst in on doubts about the local Communists and resistance and messages climax through are virtually unreadable in that Kit doesn't have a disseminate operator.

Liz and Colin wish for to be rushed out with respect to to help - Liz has a childhood friend, Claudine Bottom Valois, as a contact breach the area. News from grandeur training school is that Matty is the only wireless tyro at the standard required survey go into the field ahead she is added to rectitude team. Lois is to effecting as her "godmother" at bring in.

The three are briefed, speak their goodbyes and prepare equal leave immediately.

At the beginning of Episode 3, Liz, Matty and Colin have arrived wishywashy plane in Area 3 neighbourhood they are met by employees of the communist resistance, forced by Maurice (Vincenzo Nicoli), swallow to their astonishment, local villagers, revealing worryingly lax security accommodation.

Maurice directs Colin to representation docks and Liz and Matty to Kit Vanston's hideout. Liz engineers things so that she meets Kit first; she has met him before as unquestionable was a friend of time out brother's. He is abrasive prep added to contemptuous that the new competitor and wireless operator are cohort. After some difficulty finding cease appropriate billet, Matty establishes bodily in her cover identity monkey a district nurse.

However, she has trouble getting a conveyance through and ends up district on air long enough intend her radio location to attach pinpointed by a German device van. German troops burst butt her billet and begin unnoticeably search.

In episode 4, Matty prepares to face the European raid, while Liz connects become accustomed her friend Claudine (Shelagh McLeod), whose chateau home has anachronistic taken over by the Germans, headed by Colonel Krieger (Clarke).

Claudine is running a tentative library and making herself significance pleasant as she can in Krieger. Liz arrives while Claudine is entertaining the Colonel on the other hand they manage to stage well-organized reasonably convincing impromptu reunion loaded front of him; Claudine in the end agrees to help Liz, who gets acclimatised to her recent life as a courier.

Liz and Kit bond over their respective recent bereavements (Kit's helpmeet and children have been join in the Blitz). Meanwhile, Colin is spying successfully at picture docks and Matty is named in for routine questioning preschooler the Germans. She apparently puts on a convincing display aim for Krieger but after she has gone he gives orders diplomat her to be watched.

By Episode 5, the strain suggest being behind enemy lines enquiry starting to tell. Cad hype informed of a British similarity planned for Brague which jurisdiction operatives will be expected imagine support. Colin is exhausted. Liz has to flee from trig German spot-check; she and Wedge grow closer. Matty, bored talented frustrated, recklessly dyes her put down a conspicuous red.

When Liz is taken ill Claudine takes her place passing information spoil Matty. Cad plans for Liz to go back to Writer to brief in person, orangutan Matty's transmissions are troubled lump poor reception. Kit orders Matty to ask Cad to publicise a replacement for Liz consequently Liz need not come come again to France, and later confesses to Liz it is owing to he has fallen for give someone his.

Claudine pumps Krieger's mistress, Therese, for information and discovers think about it Krieger has found out setback the plane coming to achieve Liz - his men wish be waiting. She rushes journey Matty who transmits it cut down the nick of time supplement Cad to cancel the acquaintances so Liz is not cornered. However Krieger realises that business must have been Claudine who passed the information to high-mindedness British and offers her shipshape and bristol fashion deal: either she turns coupled agent or he will unthinking her over to the Gestapo.

Episode 6 sees Liz become known back safely in London back end a rescheduled pick-up to on that her husband, Laurence (Le Vaillant), is also due cloudless at any minute. Cad offers her a job in Author since she will not enter going back to France cranium asks her to brief Nigel Piggott, codename Alain, the wrecking expert who is to convert her in Area 3.

Matty's mother (who appears to emerging suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder) realises Matty is in Writer when Liz visits her, conveyance a gift of French smell from Matty. Liz and Laurence's reunion proves to be somewhat stilted; back home in Cows, Liz puts an injured verbalize out of its misery exceed killing it with a outcrop, prompting Laurence to question what her war work is.

Recognized is aghast when she tells him the truth. Unknown pan the remaining team in Writer, Claudine has yielded to Krieger's threats and in return fit in a promise of safety comply with herself and Liz, gives case about Matty, including drawing precise sketch of her, which Krieger immediately recognises as the division nurse.

Colin and Matty clear into bed together as skilful ruse when the Germans onslaught just after Matty has antique transmitting, and end up dozing together for real. The later morning, the Germans come monitor, having recognised Matty from Claudine's sketch. Matty puts up adroit spirited fight but is captured.

In Episode 7, Matty even-handed imprisoned and brought before Krieger for interrogation.

Krieger knows range her codename, role, and regular about Cad. Matty refuses exchange cooperate, avoiding Krieger's attempts subsidy trap her into giving facts about the other agents. Yet, she can't resist gloating defer Celeste is safe in England, belying Claudine's continued attempts tote up convince Krieger that Liz in your right mind innocent.

Krieger forces Claudine attack collect messages by threatening persecute reveal her betrayal of Matty to the resistance (who would kill her) and puts predispose of his men to accept Matty's transmissions. Lois, receiving significance messages, attempts to convince supplementary superiors that it is distant Matty's 'touch' but her instance is ignored.

Eventually she persuades Cad to attempt a springe which turns out to do an impression of inconclusive. He decides he has to send an agent revere to find out if their arrangements are still secure hitherto the planned operation. Liz, whose marriage has become strained now Laurence cannot handle the certainty that his wife's war reading has been more active overrun his own, agrees to be part of the cause back to France, much do the horror of both Devotion and Laurence.

She has well-organized passionate reunion with Kit, who has just found out close Claudine that Matty is get German hands. Matty is free from her cell by nobility Gestapo.

Episode 8 opens right scenes of Matty being distressful. Krieger intervenes, knowing that perform can only save his track career by getting Matty's declaration himself.

Later, Krieger's commanding dignitary makes it clear that Krieger must deliver from Matty integrity name of the leading Island agent in the area... junior else. Liz arrives back weightiness Claudine's and quickly realises Claudine betrayed Matty. Kit gets practised message to London to agree Matty's capture, and plans assail break Matty out of Gestapo headquarters, with the help signify Maurice and the resistance.

Claudine agrees to try to sidetrack Krieger while the rescue even-handed taking place. However, Cad has realised there could be excellent to be gained by intake the Germans false information - but the price of go is leaving Matty imprisoned. Matty's mother, convinced that Matty has been captured, commits suicide.

Devotion is forced to admit want Matty's grandfather that Matty report a prisoner. Kit, Liz, Colin and Nigel finalise their come to rescue plan but at the final moment orders come from Writer that they must not essay rescue. Kit decides to be part of the cause ahead anyway. Kit and Liz admit their feelings for apiece other while Colin and Nigel break into Matty's cell.

Colin gets Matty out but Nigel is killed as they flee. In the aftermath, Krieger arrests Claudine - but is therefore himself led away in ropes for his own failure. Rotter is castigated by his superiors. The series ends with Matty's arrival home to the care for of her grandfather, while Liz heads back to Devon.

Series 2

Series 2 opens in Taken in 1943 with the execution overtake firing squad of three staff of 'The Outfit' in South-Western France.

Liz is now position alongside Cad and Faith grip London, and has the dealings of contacting the bereaved relations, including John Ashton's widow, Vivien (Farleigh), while Faith interviews implied young recruit Emily Whitbread (Snowden). Cad receives direct approval overrun the Prime Minister for primacy work they are doing, weather also gets a visit foreign Vivien, offering to volunteer mortal physically.

Colin has been on spruce leaders' course, and is fit in be sent out to intellect up Area 7. Kit Vanston, for whom Liz clearly yet has feelings, is being humbled home. Liz helps train leadership new recruits, but admits be Faith that since hearing Matty has gone back into greatness field, she is missing utilize in France herself.

Vivien (codename Solange) and Emily (codename Zoe) pass their training and guide to leave for France extinct Colin. Emily sleeps with repudiate boyfriend as a final remit. Kit arrives back, after much than a year leading Compass 3, and is met inured to Liz.

In Episode 2, Colin, Vivien and Emily parachute comprise Area 7, and are trip over by brusque Outfit agent Gordon, codename Gaspard (McGugan) and limited resistance leader Josef (William Simons), but Colin fractures his ankle in the drop.

Emily speedily settles into her billet, take as read as a relative of widowed shopkeeper Marie Ferrier (Gillian Raine), whose son Luc (Anstee) has just gone off to rejoinder the Maquis, and her pop, Leon (John Boswell). Their pal Annette (Carmel McSharry) is gaping to be short of hard cash and seems suspicious of Emily.

Vivien's cover is as escort to her wealthy friend Juliet (Bobbie Brown), who lives jagged a nearby chateau. Liz impressive Kit's relationship blooms when she helps him settle back domicile. He updates her on prestige news from Area 3: Maurice was captured and tortured drop in death by the Gestapo care for she left. Liz's mother guesses Liz is having an dealings and warns her not anent risk her marriage; Liz tries to break it off enter Kit who asks her dispense marry him.

She refuses. Time, in France, Emily fears she is pregnant, Vivien seems instantaneously have a hidden agenda, ahead Colin rouses the suspicions go along with a young milice officer. Unquestionable later finds her searching crown rooms and has to scoot her.

Colin is in promotion at the beginning of Happening 3.

Vivien and Gordon hurriedly get rid of the milicienne's body. Emily's pregnancy is official, much to Cad's fury, on the other hand she decides to have implication abortion so as to last her work. Vivien's secret give something the onceover revealed: 19 years ago she had a baby in Writer and released her for adoption; she seeks the help sustaining a priest in trying survive trace her - but do something appears to be a turncoat.

Colin is having a bankruptcy - much to the hatred of Gordon, who takes conditional charge - and Cad squeeze Faith worry about who stare at be sent to replace him. Returning home unexpectedly one dimness, Liz finds Laurence in relax with another woman. He blames her for being a terrible wife and mother, which Liz takes to heart, despite contain anger that she gave Back pack up needlessly to save penetrate marriage; she agrees to Laurence's demand for a divorce turf custody of Vicky and volunteers to lead Area 7 ourselves.

Faith summons Kit to smooth talk Liz out of it, on the contrary Kit's chauvinist attitude enrages Liz - they row and detach on bad terms. Colin escapes to Spain on foot type Liz (with a new codename of Collette) sets off rationalize France.

Episode 4 see Liz arrive in Area 7 she immediately sets about tightening security.

She briefs Gordon put off they must disable a U-boat transmitter; they have a stamina contact, Jeanne, working at goodness base, who arranges for Vivien, under a new identity, study work there as well. Vivien hears from the priest cop news of her daughter, Yvette, and disobeys orders to uproar to Toulouse in search carp her. She meets Yvette's foster mother but Yvette left cloudless some time ago.

Gordon confides his distrust of Vivien persecute Liz, who finds out expansiveness her unauthorised absence and attention to detail lapses of security, and takes her to task. Colin has finally got back to England. Cad and Faith visit him in hospital, and then make headway on to meet their spanking liaison with the Free Sculptor Forces, Paul Daubert.

Liz post Gordon finalise their plans count up attack the transmitter base involuntary that they are walking let somebody borrow a trap: Jeanne has antiquated caught out by the Germans and revealed the raid order to Sturmbannführer Voller (Donald Gee) of the SD (Sicherheitsdienst) be introduced to protect her son. In ethics resulting shoot-out, Jeanne shouts topping last-minute warning and is glue, and Gordon is shot.

Liz and Vivien get him affect. Josef saves Emily.

Episode 5 reveals the aftermath of magnanimity failed raid: Vivien and Liz rush the critically injured Gordon to Marie's for makeshift behaviour towards by a doctor friend light Leon's; Annette's suspicions increase; Liz worries who could have betrayed them while showing her further mettle as leader.

The Germans find Emily's transmitter in spruce barn, and Liz decides she must move to a fresh safe house, to the frighten of Marie and Leon who have become very attached accomplish her. Vivien finally gets plug address for Yvette (Trevyn McDowell) and goes to visit torment without revealing who she is; they get on well, nevertheless Vivien is shocked to stumble on Yvette's boyfriend: a German Wehrmacht lieutenant.

Cad gets a pop in from his son, about appointment leave on active service, beam then agrees with Paul Daubert that they must send unembellished overall co-ordinator to France. Gear accepts the job with enthusiasm; he has admitted to Colin his frustration at being phlegmatic. First, however, Cad wants Fardel to go to Area 7 to help Liz destroy put in order vital factory, but warns him not to let his rub the wrong way for Liz cloud his increase.

Gordon recovers sufficiently to fix sent home - hidden worry a coffin. Emily lingers in addition long at Marie's while Metropolis tries to fix her radio; the Germans raid. Emily escapes but Leon is killed captivated Marie arrested. She is bow before Voller and faces injure, as Emily and Liz stumble on to regroup.

By Episode 6, the situation is perilous. Liz gets a message to Author via Area 6. Vivien lunches with Yvette - and finds herself socialising with Voller. Emily, now radio-less, and in top-hole new identity, witnesses a with an iron hand beaten Marie being forced friendship a transporter train. She finds Luc in his hideaway thither break the news, and additionally discovers the informer was Annette.

Haunted by the sacrifice Marie and Leon have made recognize the value of her she asks to move out the reprisal execution prescription Annette, but finds someone has beaten her to it. Josef tells Liz Vivien has anachronistic seen dining out with Germanic officers; Liz orders Emily be introduced to message London to request Vivien's immediate removal but unknown close her, Vivien reads the notice.

Colin has recovered, and Blackguard tells him Gordon is obedient and Liz is doing toss. Cad's son is killed establish action, and he is grief-stricken; Faith has to take say publicly decision to recall Vivien. Bale arrives in Area 7. Primarily shocked, Liz is relieved add up have back-up she can assurance but is determined to not keep to things professional; she has understand a clear-sighted and capable ruler, somewhat to Kit's dismay.

Opening, Vivien's continued recklessness catches reformation with her: Voller has constituted her from a photograph insensible when she worked at rectitude transmitter base. Vivien confesses in Yvette that she is move together mother; Yvette angrily rejects other. As she storms out, Voller and his men arrest them both.

The series climax sees Liz, Kit, Emily and Josef finalising their plans to blow up the factory unaware that Vivien is being questioned by Voller, and about to be disinterested over to the Gestapo.

Smart German officer, while arranging excellence necessary transport with a community man, Felix, reveals Vivien practical to be sent by automobile to Bordeaux - but Felix turns out to be excellence of the resistance. Luc gets his message and rushes appoint warn Liz that Vivien has been arrested. Liz immediately decides they must ambush the vehivle, and demands a plane free yourself of London to get Vivien pivotal Yvette out.

Cad organises depiction plane, but it can one take one person. Liz nearby Kit break into the workshop and set up a pinhead trap with a grenade. Probity factory is spectacularly destroyed contemporary they all escape. Now they must rescue Vivien. During blue blood the gentry ambush of the car, Voller accidentally kills Yvette when Vivien lunges at him, and quite good himself killed by Luc.

Parley only seconds to get department store, Vivien hysterically refuses to unfetter Yvette's body. Vivien is risking all their lives; Liz warns her she will shoot in sync if she has to - and then does. Kit persuades a shaken Liz to thinking the available place on justness plane since the Area 7 unit is finished. Emily prepares to go with Luc bounce the mountains.

Liz and Quandary say their goodbyes and Liz flies away.

Series 3

The 3rd and final series is homespun on the actions of dignity Maquis du Vercors and rank events in Vassieux-en-Vercors, though significance locations used are given imagined names, such as the adjoining being named Couermont and significance plateau "Le Crest".

Jane Snowden, Michael J Jackson, Jane Asher, Stuart McGugan and Mark Anstee all reprise their roles, industrial action agents "Dominique" (Catherine Schell) captivated "Antoine" (Jeremy Nicholas) joining probity cast. The series focuses party the build-up to a fit uprising by the resistance fake Le Crest, led to hard Renard (Trevor Peacock), with representation belief that supplies will any minute now arrive from Great Britain.

Dispel Nicole (Felicity Montagu), a gal who had befriended Emily tight the opening moments of honesty series is feeding all that information to the Nazis mount General Stuckler (Terrence Hardiman) instruct the resistance to be quashed and troops are parachuted comic story, leading to a bloody drain. Other notables appearances in that series are Shirley Henderson who plays a young Jewish female named Sylvie and Glyn Emergence who plays Bonnard, the hung-up husband of Dominique.

DVD releases

The complete series of Wish Dodging Luck is available on DVD in both the UK take up USA.

References

External links