The War of the Worlds (2019)
Peter Harness' bold BBC reimagining of H.G. Wells' classic novel, set in Edwardian England and starring Eleanor Tomlinson and Rafe Spall.
The War of the Worlds - Series Information
- Original Title: The War of the Worlds
- First Air Year: 2019
- Last Air Year: 2019
- Created by: Peter Harness
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Drama
- Content Rating (US): TV-14
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 55 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 3
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: November 17, 2019 (United States - TV-14), November 17, 2019 (Germany - 12), November 17, 2019 (Brazil - 14), November 17, 2019 (Spain - 12), November 17, 2019 (South Korea - 15)
- Networks: BBC One
- Alternative Titles: La Guerre des mondes UK (FR), 世界大战 (CN), The War of the Worlds BBC (US), Dünyalar Savaşı (TR), Der Krieg der Welten (DE), เดอะวอร์ออฟเดอะเวิลด์ส (TH), La guerra de los mundos (UK) (ES)
- Production Companies: Mammoth Screen, Creasun Media American, Red Square TV
- Production Countries: United Kingdom, United States of America
The War of the Worlds - Plot
In Edwardian England, George and his partner Amy attempt to defy society and start a life together as they face the escalating terror of an alien invasion, fighting for their lives against an enemy beyond their comprehension.
The War of the Worlds - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the Martian terror unfold across Edwardian England:
They're coming.
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The War of the Worlds - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Peter Harness
Main Cast
- Eleanor Tomlinson
- Rafe Spall
- Robert Carlyle
- Rupert Graves
- Kieron Bimpson
- Taliyah Blair
- Nicholas Le Prevost
- Harry Melling
- Susan Wooldridge
- Jonathan Aris
Writers
- Peter Harness
Executive Producers
- Peter Harness
- Minglu Ma
- Damien Timmer
- Craig Viveiros
- Tommy Bulfin
The War of the Worlds - FAQs
Is The War of the Worlds based on a true story?
It's an adaptation of H.G. Wells' landmark 1898 science fiction novel of the same name. Peter Harness reimagined the story in its original Edwardian English setting, staying closer to Wells' source material than many previous adaptations, including the famous 1953 film and Steven Spielberg's 2005 blockbuster.
What makes this BBC adaptation different from other versions?
Unlike most adaptations that transplant the story to modern settings, this BBC miniseries restores Wells' original Edwardian England backdrop. It also places a female protagonist, Amy, at the centre of the narrative — a bold creative choice that adds a feminist dimension largely absent from previous screen versions of the novel.
Where can you stream The War of the Worlds?
The series is available to stream on fuboTV. Free viewing options include The Roku Channel, Tubi TV, Pluto TV, Fandango at Home Free, The CW, Plex Channel, and Fawesome. Availability may vary by region, so check your local services for the latest options.
Who plays Amy and George in The War of the Worlds?
Eleanor Tomlinson, best known for Poldark, plays Amy, a forward-thinking woman determined to forge her own path. Rafe Spall portrays George, her partner. The two leads anchor the miniseries with a compelling chemistry that grounds the alien terror in deeply personal human stakes.
How was The War of the Worlds received by critics?
Critical reception was mixed. Reviewers praised the lush Edwardian production design, James Friend's atmospheric cinematography, and the lead performances, but some felt the pacing across the three-episode run was uneven. The bold decision to centre the story on Amy rather than the traditional male narrator divided audiences and critics alike.
How many episodes does The War of the Worlds have?
The BBC production is a compact miniseries consisting of just three episodes, each running approximately 55 minutes. The tight three-part structure was designed to deliver a focused, cinematic experience rather than a sprawling multi-season narrative, keeping the tension concentrated throughout.
Who created and wrote The War of the Worlds BBC series?
Peter Harness both created and wrote all three episodes of the series. Harness is known for his work on Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell and Doctor Who. He served as executive producer alongside Damien Timmer, Craig Viveiros, and others, giving him significant creative control over the entire production.
What are similar shows to The War of the Worlds?
If you enjoyed this series, consider Invasion (2021), War of the Worlds (2019), Debris (2021), or Teacup (2024) for more alien-threat drama. For period drama with a similar atmospheric quality, Gentleman Jack (2019) and Belgravia (2020) offer compelling Edwardian and Victorian storytelling with strong central characters.
More About The War of the Worlds
Explore further details about the series on these authoritative resources.