The Crimson Field is a British period drama television series that was broadcast beginning on BBC One on 6 April 2014. The series shows the lives of medics and the patients at a fictional field hospital in France during the First World War.[1][2]
Originally called The Ark, the series was commissioned by Ben Stephenson and Danny Cohen[3][4] as part of the BBC World War I centenary season. Sarah Phelps, the creator of The Crimson Field said: "I am bouncing off the walls with excitement at having such an extraordinary talented cast, bouncing off the walls."[3]
Filming began in August 2013. The Historic Dockyard Chatham and HMS Gannet featured in the first episode of the series doubling as the Port of Boulogne, France.[5]Dyrham Park appeared in scenes as a French hotel.
The show was cancelled after one series, due to a lacklustre critical and audience response, as well as budgetary considerations towards other BBC series.[7] Phelps revealed she had planned four more series.