Watch The Sinking of the Laconia

The Sinking of the Laconia is a gripping drama series that aired on BBC Two in 2010. The series is based on the true story of the sinking of the RMS Laconia, a British ocean liner that was torpedoed and sunk by a German U-boat during World War II in 1942. The series follows the lives of the passengers and crew on board the Laconia before and during the attack. Andrew Buchan stars as Thomas Mortimer, a British intelligence officer who is sent on a secret mission to America. On the ship, he becomes acquainted with a diverse cast of characters such as Brian Cox's Captain Sharp, Ken Duken's German U-boat commander Werner Hartenstein, and Franka Potente's Polish prisoner of war. We also meet Morven Christie's nurse and Lindsay Duncan's rich American passenger who both bring a welcome female perspective to a male-dominated cast.

As the story unfolds, the passengers on the Laconia are plunged into a terrifying ordeal when the U-boat strikes. The U-boat captain Hartenstein is shown to be both ruthless and compassionate in his decision making, as he orders his crew to rescue the survivors, including the Allied prisoners of war. This causes conflict with his Nazi superiors as they deemed the crew's role to be solely attacking ships, not rescue missions.

The series also shows the international response to the sinking, with Allied forces and German commanders alike desperate to save lives, often putting their own ships and crews in danger. Matthias Koeberlin's German naval officer is shown to be an intelligent and rational man, helping to broker a controversial deal with the US forces to protect survivors and allow German ships to rescue them.

Throughout the series, the sinking of the Laconia is depicted in graphic detail, with explosions and the destruction of the ship leaving the audience on edge. The story is well balanced between showing the fear and chaos of the attack and the bravery and humanity of the people involved.

One of the most striking aspects of the series is the attention to historical detail, with the costumes, props and set design appearing to be meticulously researched. From the ship's art deco interior to the historical military uniforms, everything feels authentic and helps transport the audience back in time.

Overall, The Sinking of the Laconia is a compelling and well-crafted drama that will leave you on the edge of your seat. It masterfully weaves together different perspectives of the sinking, including the Allied forces, German U-boat crew, and the passengers themselves. Strong performances, historical accuracy, and tense storytelling make this drama essential viewing for any history or war buff.

The Sinking of the Laconia is a series that ran for 1 seasons (2 episodes) between January 6, 2011 and on BBC TWO