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Press Releases
Walter's War, a new drama on 91Èȱ¬ Four
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OT Fagbenle (Consuming Passion, Doctor Who, Breaking And Entering) stars as Walter Tull in Walter's War, 91Èȱ¬ Four's fictional drama inspired by events in the life of Walter Tull, the first black officer to lead British troops during the First World War.
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Tull was also one of the first black footballers to play professional football, for Tottenham Hotspur and Northampton Town between 1909 and 1914.
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Having shown considerable leadership qualities while serving on the Western Front, Walter is sent home to recuperate from a bout of trench fever.
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He learns he has been recommended for officer training at Gailes, Ayrshire, a considerable promotion for any man serving his country but of greater importance for a black man at this time.
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However, whilst at Gailes, Walter must fight against prejudice as well as the demons which haunt his dreams before he returns to the front.
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Walter was killed at the second battle of the Somme in 1918 at the age of 29.
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Writer, Kwame Kwei-Armah, says: "I wanted to give a voice to a forgotten hero. To help present to a new generation the achievements of this great man makes this project one of the most important I have worked on to date."
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The cast list also includes: Ewan Stewart as Sgt Fuller; Dugald Bruce-Lockhart as Captain Coombe; Samara MacLaren as Connie and Michael Wildman plays Edward Tull.
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Janice Hadlow, Controller, 91Èȱ¬ Four, says: "Walter's War continues 91Èȱ¬ Four's established tradition of bringing viewers intelligent and stimulating dramas about fascinating subjects."
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Currently filming in Hertford, Ipswich and Rickmansworth, Walter's War is written by Kwame Kwei-Armah, awarding-winning writer of Elmina's Kitchen.
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The producer is Ruth Caleb (Last Resort, Bullet Boy, Learners and Red Dust starring Hilary Swank), executive producer is Kate Harwood (Tess Of The D'Urbervilles; Cranford) and director is Alrick Riley (Spooks, Hustle, Hotel Babylon, Babyfather).
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Walter's War was commissioned by Ben Stephenson.
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Kate Harwood, 91Èȱ¬ Controller, Series & Serials, says: "Kwame Kwei-Armah has written a powerful drama based on an imagined period of Walter Tull's life.
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"Walter's War is a bold and moving piece of storytelling."
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Walter's War will be screened on 91Èȱ¬ Four as part of the pan-91Èȱ¬ Learning campaign to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Armistice, 1918-2008: Ninety Years of Remembrance, which will run in the days leading up to 11ÌýNovember 2008.
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 91Èȱ¬ Drama Production is a world leader in producing much-loved and critically-acclaimed dramas including Criminal Justice starring Ben Whishaw; Cranford; Oliver Twist; Five Days; Waking The Dead; Silent Witness; Lark Rise To Candleford; Sense And Sensibility; 91Èȱ¬ Four's recent Curse Of Comedy season; 91Èȱ¬ Two's House Of Saddam; plus this autumn's highlights on 91Èȱ¬ One, Tess Of The D'Urbervilles starring Gemma Arterton; Survivors; and Little Dorrit.
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AF
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