Television audiences are being transported back to 1950s Australia once again as Ten Pound Poms returns.
The BBC One period drama, which first debuted in May 2023, is back for an exciting second series featuring many beloved characters alongside some intriguing new faces. The narrative continues to follow the journey of British immigrants as they strive to carve out a new life in an often unwelcoming environment. Danny Brocklehurst, the show’s creator, writer, and executive producer, expressed his vision: “For me, it was about creating a show that would air on Sunday nights and feel optimistic, but whilst also dealing with some of the darkness and the reality of what a lot of those people encountered when they arrived in Australia – because they were sold a dream, and that dream was to some degree a lie.”
As the story progresses, life has advanced to 1957 for the characters, yet many challenges remain unchanged. Brocklehurst emphasized, “You can go to the other side of the world and try to build a new life in the sunshine, but in the end, you always take yourself with you, and the baggage of yourself comes along too.” It’s clear that the journey of the ‘Ten Pound Poms’ is far from idyllic.
What is Ten Pound Poms about?
Ten Pound Poms centers around a fictional group of British individuals who sought to escape the struggles of post-war Britain in 1956, embarking on a new adventure in Australia. They paid a mere £10 to migrate by boat, a government initiative that ran from 1945 to 1982, aimed at boosting the population and encouraging settlement in Australia. The first series chronicled their initial voyage and adjustment to life down under, while the second series revisits them in 1957, one year after their arrival.
The Roberts family faces an unexpected new dynamic, and nurse Kate Thorne, who has found her long-lost son, is now on a mission to unveil the system that wrongfully separated them. Each character is determined to secure their piece of the Australian dream, even amidst the numerous obstacles they face.
Who is in the Ten Pound Poms cast?
Michelle Keegan
Michelle Keegan stars as Kate Thorne, a dedicated nurse who emigrates to Australia in search of her adopted son. She shares, “This series deeply explores Kate’s quest to reveal the heartbreaking truth about her and her son’s separation, a reality for many families and women during the 1950s. Kate is not only focused on her own reunion but also aims to help others and end the unnecessary separation of families.” The 37-year-old British actress gained recognition from the soap opera Coronation Street, where she portrayed Tina McIntyre, and has since starred in Ordinary Lies, Our Girl, Tina and Bobby, Fool Me Once, and Brassic.
Faye Marsay
Faye Marsay takes on the role of Annie Roberts, who juggles the responsibilities of being a wife, mother, and now grandmother. Discussing her character’s progression, she stated, “Annie’s significant journey this season revolves around her fight for independence and her ambition to be the family’s breadwinner. She aspires to succeed in her career and establish a successful business.” Marsay is known for her roles in The White Queen, Fresh Meat, Game of Thrones, and Andor.
Warren Brown
Warren Brown portrays Terry Roberts, the family patriarch grappling with PTSD from his wartime experiences, seeking solace in his new Australian life. He describes his character’s arc this season: “Terry starts off strong in Australia this time around. He has overcome many challenges noted in the first series and has secured a new job. However, not everything goes according to plan, and he faces some confrontations with his new boss.” The 46-year-old British actor is recognized for his roles as Donny Maguire in Shameless, Andy Holt in Hollyoaks, and DS Justin Ripley in Luther. He has also appeared in X Company and Strike Back.
Taylor Ferguson
Joining the cast is Taylor Ferguson, who plays Christine Bailey, a single mother living in challenging conditions. The Australian actress has featured in various television series such as Homecoming Queen, Fires, Clickbait, and Glitch. She has also made appearances in films like The Furies and Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway.
The cast of Ten Pound Poms also includes:
- Hattie Hook as Pattie Roberts (Savage River, My Life is Murder)
- Finn Treacy as Peter Roberts (The Artful Dodger, Apples Never Fall)
- Stephen Curry as JJ Walker (Rogue, Hounds of Love)
- Emma Hamilton as Sheila Anderson (RFDS, Ms Fisher’s Modern Murder Mysteries)
- Leon Ford as Bill Anderson (God’s Favorite Idiot, The Letdown)
- Declan Coyle as Stevie Cartwright (The Family Law)
- Alastair Bradman as Michael Thorne (The Twelve)
- Cheree Cassidy as Marlene Chase (Home and Away, Watch Dogs)
- Rose Chachko as Kylie
- Travis McMahon as Ivan Cartwright (Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, High Country)
- Tina Bursill as Mrs Walker (Strife, Doctor Doctor, Neighbours)
- Nikki Shiels as Fran Robinson (Prosper, Neighbours)
- Matt Boesenberg as Ruud Van Houten (Underbelly, Busman’s Holiday)
Where is Ten Pound Poms filmed?
Filming for the second series of Ten Pound Poms commenced in Australia in the spring of 2024. The cast and crew returned to the vibrant landscapes of Australia to capture the essence of the story, revisiting some locations from the first season, including Sydney and Scheyville National Park, located to the north-west of Sydney. This national park was once home to a real migrant camp during the post-war immigration surge of the 1950s and serves as the backdrop for the show’s Galgownie camp.
The historic town of Carcoar in New South Wales continues to represent the fictional town of Corburn from the 1950s. New locations introduced in this series include Bilgola Beach, situated on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, which was used for several coastal scenes. The stunning Blue Mountains also provided a beautiful backdrop for some of the filming.
When is Ten Pound Poms on and how many episodes are there?
Ten Pound Poms returned to BBC One for its second season on Sunday, March 9, at 8 PM. This six-part series will air each Sunday at the same time for the next five weeks. Both the first and second series are available for streaming on BBC iPlayer, allowing audiences to catch up on the heartfelt journeys of these characters.
