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PBS’ Atlantic Crossing shows World War Two through the eyes of a woman but is that anything new?
For the 2021 A to Z Challenge, I am excited to bring you some Authors and Artists worth checking out! And the lavishly costumed drama Atlantic Crossing starring Kyle MacLachlan (Twin Peaks) and Sofia Helin (Acorn TV’s Mystery Road) may get off to a slow start but is definitely worthwhile for any history enthusiasts.
Atlantic Crossing Cast
Sofia Helin (Crown Princess Märtha)
Kyle MacLachlan (President Franklin D. Roosevelt)
Tobias Santelmann (Crown Prince Olav)
Søren Pilmark (King Haakon VII)
Anneke von der Lippe (Ragni Østgaard)
Harriet Sansom Harris (Eleanor Roosevelt)
Daniel Betts (Harry Hopkins)
Lucy Russell (Missy LeHand)
Atlantic Crossing Synopsis
A princess steals the heart of the president of the United States in an epic drama based on the World War II relationship of President Franklin Roosevelt and Norwegian Crown Princess Martha. Kyle MacLachlan (TWIN PEAKS, SEX AND THE CITY) stars as Roosevelt, opposite Swedish star Sofia Helin (THE BRIDGE) as the beautiful Martha, who flees the Nazis with her three young children and lives under Roosevelt’s protection.
Where to Watch Atlantic Crossing
Atlantic Crossing will be premiering on your local PBS channel (U.S.A.) starting Easter Sunday, April 4 9/8c.
Episode 1 – April 4, 2021 9pm – Norwegian Crown Princess Martha and her husband Prince Olav visit U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt in 1939. A year later they must flee the Nazi invasion of their country.
Episode 2 – April 11, 2021 9pm – Prince Olav and the King plan their escape. Meanwhile, Princess Martha and the children take refuge with her Swedish royal relatives. But the Nazis threaten the King if he harbors the Crown Princess.
Episode 3 – April 18, 2021 9pm – While bombs fall on Olav and the King in London, Martha and the children are in the U.S. where President Roosevelt extends a special invitation.
Episode 4 – April 24, 2021 9pm – Martha is pressured to exploit her friendship with the president. Roosevelt defies isolationists to push the Lend-Lease act. Martha and the children get a surprise Christmas present.
Episode 5 – May 2, 2021 9pm – Martha uses dinner-table tactics to help Norway. The first lady gives Martha unusual lessons in public speaking. The president gets on dangerous ground with Martha.
Episode 6 – May 9, 2021 9pm – America enters the war, and Olav arrives from England. Missy grows suspicious of ties between Roosevelt and Martha, as does Olav. Meanwhile, a dastardly Nazi plot unfolds.
Episode 7 – May 16, 2021 9pm – A Nazi agent slips through the cracks, putting the children at risk. Martha travels to England and gets a shock. A Norwegian war hero meets a tragic fate.
Episode 8 – May 23, 2021 9pm – With the war almost over, Roosevelt’s health takes a bad turn. Olav tries to keep Norway out of the clutches of the Soviets. He also faces rocky relations with Martha.
Does Atlantic Crossing Present a New Perspective on World War Two?
Advertising has suggested that Atlantic Crossing presents a unique perspective on the war from a woman’s perspective. That’s not entirely true however. Remember the Academy Award winning Mrs. Miniver? Or how about the recent PBS World on Fire? While a female-helmed World War Two story is in the minority, it is certainly not “new”.
Atlantic Crossing Trailer
3 Reasons NOT To Watch Atlantic Crossing
Playing the devil’s advocate, here are three reasons you might decide not to watch the new PBS costume drama.
Firstly, the story is not shy about the trigger topic of “War” which includes in the pilot episode the shooting of a family dog (off-camera).
Secondly, the Norwegian story is told in subtitles. If you do not like reading subtitles, you will not enjoy Atlantic Crossing on PBS.
Thirdly, the story has a slow start. There are a couple brief war scenes such as an attack on a passenger ship but this is not Band of Brothers or even World on Fire. This is a drama.
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Continue the Conversation
What is your favorite PBS Masterpiece Drama?
I can see Kyle MacLachlan as President Franklin D. Roosevelt although I’m not a huge war movie fan. Weekends In Maine
It seems like a movie I may have enjoyed since I like movies from WW1 and WW2 . But not being in the US there is no chance of me watching it on television and your reasons not to watch are discouragement enough for me not to borrow it and watch . Thanks for this review
I love movies that take a simple theme and beautifully depict it on screen and sometimes they need to be slow …. I am based out of Singapore and wont be able to view it I suppose but will keep a look out
https://pagesfromjayashree.blogspot.com/2021/03/animagi-from-potter-series.html
Looks very interesting. I’ll keep an eye out for it! Thanks
Janet’s Smiles
I have not heard of that movie. At some point I watched “The American President” that must have slight parallels.
Happy Blogging!
Thanks for visiting my post (the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree)
Not sure if this is available yet in the UK, will need to check, but I did love Sofia Helin in The Bridge, so worth checking out!
https://iainkellywriting.com/2021/04/01/the-state-trilogy-a-z-guide-a/
Oh, this looks interesting!
Loved the trailer.
@JazzFeathers
The Old Shelter – The Great War
This looks like an excellent show – war from a woman’s perspective. I don’t mind a slow start and have no problem whatsoever with subtitles.