The Crimson Field

Set on the windswept coast of France, The Crimson Field follows the staff of a tented casualty clearing station where men arrive straight from the trenches with wounds you can see and others you can't. Matron Grace Carter tries to keep routines and discipline while nurses, orderlies and volunteer ambulance drivers cope with shortages, shock and tangled personal loyalties. Small alliances form and fray under pressure, as doctors argue over treatments and younger women like Kitty Trevelyan, Flora Marshall and Rosalie Berwick push against social expectations. Captain Thomas Gillan arrives from the front with his own burdens, and the hospital becomes a place where physical care and fragile human connections overlap.

Created by Sarah Phelps and first broadcast in 2014 on BBC television, the series assembles a strong ensemble led by Hermione Norris, Oona Chaplin and Richard Rankin. Production paid close attention to period detail, from medical kit to uniforms, to evoke the feel of a World War I field hospital.

The show did not dominate major awards circuits, and it did not collect significant industry trophies, though several performances received attention from critics and audiences who highlighted the acting and production values.

While not a blockbuster hit, The Crimson Field helped draw attention to the role of nurses and women volunteers in wartime medicine. Viewers appreciated its focus on the daily realities of care, and its sets and costumes were often cited for authenticity. For some fans of period drama it stands out as a quieter, character-driven alternative to more traditional battlefield narratives.

Critics generally responded positively, and audience scores reflect steady approval, with a 7.5/10 average from viewers. Major themes include the moral complexity of medical decisions under fire, the strains of duty, and the social hierarchies that persist even in makeshift hospitals. Performances and atmosphere are the elements most frequently praised, while some reviewers wanted deeper development of certain supporting characters.