Taking the Flak – official series poster, BBC Two

Taking the Flak

BBC Two Ended Drama Comedy War

1 Season · 7 Episodes · Premiered January 5, 2016 · Ended August 19, 2009

An acerbic, authentic and caustic comedy drama that covers the entire progress of a small African war, as seen through the eyes of a team of journalists sending back the nightly reports for the BBC News at Ten.Taking the Flak is a comedy drama about how journalists in war zones live in a state of perpetual danger not just from bombs but from disease, dysentery, bedbugs, bugged beds, their colleagues, their competitors and their loved ones, who are out of sight and out of mind. If they can't get themselves embedded with the army, they'll get embedded with each other.The team includes the smooth, veteran correspondent; the harassed, but infinitely resourceful, producer; and the green and gauche rookie stringer, dropped into a hotel and forced to choose between a room on 'the shooting side' and 'the mortar side'.Football-mad boy soldiers, corrupt car dealers, intestinal discomfort, unexploded landmines, old flames, impromptu hostage situations, YouTube viral videos and colossal egos all combust under the African sun. There is a story to be told in Karibu - but who will get to tell it?

Where to Watch: BBC Two

Official Site

Next Air Time: No upcoming air date

Seasons & Episodes

Season 1

7 episodes
E01
Bigfooting
Wed, Jul 8 2009 9:00 PM GMT+0000 30 min
A small African war suddenly becomes global news and a team of BBC journalists arrives in the country of Karibu, ready to cover the conflict for 'the Ten' back home. But football-mad boy soldiers, corrupt car dealers, intestinal discomfort, landmines, old flames and colossal egos all get in the way. There is definitely a story to tell, but who will get to tell it?
E02
Black Gold
Wed, Jul 15 2009 9:00 PM GMT+0000 30 min
In London, new desk jockey Alex sparks a panic among the BBC team in war-torn Karibu by declaring a Code Red. Are the Americans on their way? Chief Foreign Editor David thinks so, and is terrified that they may park their tanks on his lawn. Stringer Harry tries to find a story he can sell to London, but like the team's new hotel, he is suffering an energy crisis.
E03
Cursed is the Country
Wed, Jul 22 2009 9:00 PM GMT+0000 30 min
There's more conflict in the African country of Karibu as junior journalist Harry meets his girlfriend's father for the first time. Senior correspondent David and new cameraman Rory clash over the uses of root ginger, and producer Jane loses her patience after David's passport comes to a sticky end at the hands of the local militia - who soon want much more than a bribe. There's good news as charity worker Samantha organises a summer fete in aid of boy soldiers, but will Fiona Bruce be forced to witness the BBC's Chief Foreign Editor terminated live on air?
E04
The Past is a Different Colony
Wed, Jul 29 2009 9:00 PM GMT+0000 30 min
The civil war in Karibu seems far away as the team look for a human interest story in an old colonial house. They find themselves in a much older, scarier Africa - where ancient traditions live on, ancestors pop round for tea, and death and dancing are the only constants.
E05
Unfriendly Fire
Wed, Aug 5 2009 9:00 PM GMT+0000 30 min
A trip to a school out in the bush takes a turn for the lethal when the team finds itself caught in the crossfire between government and rebel forces, and a driving lesson ends in a near-death experience as Harry and Grace go off road. If the team survives, everything will seem different in the morning.
E06
Big Beasts
Wed, Aug 12 2009 9:00 PM GMT+0000 30 min
BBC Brussels correspondent and media darling Jeremy Morrison is parachuted into Karibu to report on the ceasefire, much to David's disgust. As the world changes around him, he fears for his future, while producer Jane must try and keep both her 'big beasts' happy with just one cameraman between them. Elsewhere, Margaret is recording the sound of a zebra's breath, and Harry is teaching local reporter William how to be a famous TV journalist - until a humanitarian crisis brings them all together.
E07
Viva Africa
Wed, Aug 19 2009 9:00 PM GMT+0000 30 min
It's a new democratic dawn for a war-torn country as the exiled 'Lion Queen of Karibu' returns to a heroine's welcome, a rally and an election. The war is over, and the world news spotlight is about to move on, but what does that mean for Harry, Grace, and Samantha? What does the future hold for them and for the country? There's good news and bad as hopeless Harry finally hits his stride but loses his phone, his friends, and maybe his future. Meanwhile, David's lack of action in the sack starts to affect his work and his colleagues.

Cast

Bruce MacKinnon
Bruce MacKinnon as Harry Chambers
Damian O'Hare
Damian O'Hare as Rory Wallace
Doon Mackichan
Doon Mackichan as Jane Thomason
Joanna Brookes
Joanna Brookes as Margaret Hollis
Martin Jarvis
Martin Jarvis as David Bradburn
View all 5 cast members →

Similar Shows

Top Rated Shows

More on BBC Two

User Reviews

Rate this show

Your star rating (required)