London's Burning (1986)
The gripping British drama that brought the courage and camaraderie of London's firefighters into living rooms for over a decade.
London's Burning - Series Information
- Original Title: London's Burning
- First Air Year: 1986
- Last Air Year: 2002
- Created by: Jack Rosenthal
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (45 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 14
- Number of Episodes: 171
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Networks: ITV1
- Alternative Titles: London's Burning: The Movie (US)
London's Burning - Plot
London's Burning is a British television drama programme produced by London Weekend Television for the ITV network that focused on the lives of members of the London Fire Brigade, principally those of the Blue Watch at a fictional fire station called Blackwall. It was broadcast between 1988 and 2002 in the United Kingdom and was shown in Canada on digital television station CBC Country Canada. In the UK, Discovery's entertainment channel, DMAX have also shown repeats of the later series, mainly 11 through 14.
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London's Burning - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Jack Rosenthal
Main Cast
- Glen Murphy
- Ben Onwukwe
- Richard Walsh
- Michael Garner
- Andrew Kazamia
- Sean Blowers
- James Hazeldine
- Heather Peace
- Chris Larner
- Rupert Baker
Writers
- Colin Wyatt
London's Burning - FAQs
Is London's Burning based on a true story?
London's Burning is a fictional drama, but it draws heavily on the real experiences of London Fire Brigade crews. Creator Jack Rosenthal and the production team worked closely with actual firefighters to ensure authentic portrayals of station life, emergency calls, and the personal pressures faced by those serving in the brigade.
Where can you stream London's Burning online?
London's Burning is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video and Amazon Prime Video with Ads. Free ad-supported viewing is available on The Roku Channel, Pluto TV, Tubi TV, The CW, and Plex. It's well covered across multiple platforms, making it easy to revisit this classic British drama.
Why did London's Burning end after 14 seasons?
After 14 seasons and 171 episodes, London's Burning concluded in 2002 following a gradual decline in ratings and significant cast turnover over the years. The show had run its natural course, with most of the original Blue Watch ensemble having departed long before the final series wrapped on ITV.
Who are the main cast members of London's Burning?
The ensemble cast includes Glen Murphy as George Green, James Hazeldine as Mike 'Bayleaf' Wilson, Ben Onwukwe as Stuart 'Recall' MacKenzie, Richard Walsh as Bert 'Sicknote' Quigley, and Heather Peace as Sally 'Gracie' Fields, among many others who rotated through the Blue Watch over the show's long run.
How many episodes does London's Burning have in total?
London's Burning ran for 171 episodes across 14 seasons, plus 2 special episodes. Season lengths varied considerably, from 5 episodes in the first season to a peak of 18 in Season 10, reflecting the show's growing popularity and eventual wind-down as it approached its 2002 finale.
Who created London's Burning and when did it begin?
London's Burning was created by acclaimed British playwright and screenwriter Jack Rosenthal. It began as a television film in 1986 before expanding into a full series that launched in 1988 on ITV, running for over a decade and becoming one of British television's most enduring workplace dramas.
Is London's Burning worth watching today?
Absolutely worth a look for fans of classic British drama. London's Burning offers a compelling mix of action-packed rescue sequences and deeply human character stories. Its authentic portrayal of firefighter life, strong ensemble performances, and gritty London atmosphere give it a timeless quality that holds up well decades later.
What shows are similar to London's Burning?
Fans of London's Burning often enjoy The Bill, another long-running British procedural drama set in the emergency services. Third Watch offers a similar ensemble approach to firefighters and paramedics in an American context. Between the Lines and Prime Suspect also share the gritty, character-driven British drama sensibility.
More About London's Burning
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