Gilbert Hankin (ANDREW GOWER), Gerrard Eyre (MATT STOKOE) and Bert Middleton (TOM VAREY) – Image Credit: BBC/Company Pictures/Laurence Cendrowicz
Now set in the roaring 1920’s, The Village returns to BBC One this August for a six-part second series.
Heading The Village series 2 cast will be actor John Simm as John Middleton and actress Maxine Peake as Grace. This 2014 drama sees writer Peter Moffat continue his plan to tell the tale of the 1900’s, through the eyes of a small Peak District village.
The Village, Series 2, Episode 1 BBC One Preview
1923. The Allinghams have had a good war and are now ensconced in a grander house, where Edmund is hosting a weekend party for the entertainment of his political sponsor, Lord Kilmartin.
The highlight of the weekend is a man hunt, with Bert Middleton as the quarry. He’s wagered Kilmartin £5 that he’ll win, saving up to leave the Village for a job in Sheffield.
John Middleton, now dairy farming, has been renting young Alf Rutter’s barn to house his 20 head of cattle and milking machine, but he’s in cash difficulties and Rutter refuses to wait for his rent.
The Allinghams lay on a boxing tournament on the cricket pitch for the entertainment of the villagers. Edmund takes the opportunity to make an election speech, but the Allinghams are surprised when Bill Gibby, the Labour candidate, follows him onto the podium to make an impassioned plea for the Left.
At the boxing ring men are challenged to win a pound if they survive a round with Ghana, a black boxer barred from competing professionally because of his colour. When the stakes increase to three pounds, Bert sees a chance to earn the barn rent and Kilmartin gets into the ring.
To get yourself in the mood for the new season, check out The Village series 2 trailer.
The Village Series 3?
Should BBC One continue to recommission The Village for future series, Peter Moffatt has expressed his desire to write 42 episodes, taking the TV shows plot right through the 20th century. If it happens, this 42 hours of programming would likely take the form of 7, 6-part series.
