Ten Pound Poms (TV series)
| Company type | Television series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television production |
| Founded | 2023 |
| Headquarters | Australia, United Kingdom |
| Products | Historical drama television series |
Ten Pound Poms is a historical drama television series produced collaboratively by Australian and British teams, developed by Danny Brocklehurst for BBC One and the streaming service Stan. The narrative centers on British nationals portrayed by Michelle Keegan, Faye Marsay, and Warren Brown, who relocate to Australia following the Second World War through a government-subsidized migration initiative. The debut season, consisting of six episodes, premiered on 14 May 2023 and attracted an overnight viewership of 4.6 million. The second installment was released on 9 March 2025.
Premise
Set in 1956, the series chronicles a group of British migrants, colloquially referred to as Poms in Australia and New Zealand, who depart post-war Britain enticed by the offer of improved housing, employment opportunities, and enhanced living conditions for a nominal fee of £10 (approximately £260.58 in 2025). Upon arrival, they confront the reality that life in Australia diverges significantly from the expectations set by promotional promises. The storyline explores their struggles and achievements as they navigate adapting to a new environment far removed from their homeland.
Main
- Michelle Keegan as Kate Thorne
- Warren Brown as Terry Roberts
- Faye Marsay as Annie Roberts
- Rob Collins as Ron Mohoney
- David Field as Dean Spender
- Stephen Curry as JJ Walker
- Leon Ford as Bill Anderson
- Emma Hamilton as Sheila Anderson
- Hugo Johnstone-Burt as Henry Broad
- Hattie Hook as Pattie Roberts
- Finn Treacy as Peter Roberts
- Nic English as Robbie Carter
- Nikki Shiels as Fran Robinson
Recurring
- Declan Coyle as Stevie Cartwright
- Travis McMahon as Ivan Cartwright
- Johnny Nasser as Bob Travers
- Penny Day as Sandra
- Toni Scanlan as Margie Thorne
- Trisha Morton-Thomas as Auntie May
- Cheree Cassidy as Marlene Chase
- Berynn Schwerdt as Arty Farthington
- Alastair Bradman as Michael Thorne
- Paiton Kwok as Birrani
- Waangenga Blanco as Yarran
- Sarah Furnari as Maria
- Miah Curran and Neve Curran as Elizabeth and Margaret Anderson
- Rose Chachko as Kylie
- Libby Fleming as Veronika Müller
- Alex Andreas as Nick
- Tara Morice as Ward Sister Mulligan
Guests
- Bruce Spence portraying Father
- Jon Sivewright in the role of Keith Buddin
- Michael Beckley appearing as Head teacher
Development
In May 2022, under the leadership of BBC Drama Director Piers Wenger, the BBC commissioned Ten Pound Poms. This project represents a collaborative production between BBC and Stan, with Eleven handling production duties and Sony Pictures Television managing distribution across BBC One, BBC iPlayer in the United Kingdom, and Stan in Australia.
Casting
The principal cast was revealed in June 2022, highlighting performances by Michelle Keegan, Faye Marsay, and Warren Brown alongside Australian talents including Rob Collins, Leon Ford, Declan Coyle, David Field, Stephen Curry, Hattie Hook, Finn Treacy, and Emma Hamilton.
Production
The initial series commenced filming in Australia during May 2022, with primary locations including Scheyville National Park and Carcoar. Additional footage was captured in Sydney as well as at Luton Hoo, Bedfordshire. Reports indicated that filming for the second season was in progress by April 2024.
Distribution and Reception
The show debuted on BBC One on 14 May 2023, featuring six episodes. All installments were simultaneously accessible on BBC iPlayer and Stan, while weekly broadcasts aired on BBC One every Sunday night.
The second season premiered on Sunday, 9 March 2025.
Viewership
The premiere episode attracted an overnight audience of 4.6 million viewers, establishing Ten Pound Poms as the most-watched BBC drama debut since Vigil in 2021. It secured a 34% audience share during the 21:00 timeslot, ranking as the top-performing program that day.
Overall, the first series emerged as one of the UK’s leading new dramas in 2023, amassing a total viewership of 7.7 million within 28 days.
Critical Reviews
Critics generally responded positively to the series. Anita Singh from The Telegraph described it as a "solidly enjoyable Sunday night drama," commending writer Danny Brocklehurst’s assured narrative style and awarding four stars.
Morgan Cormack of Radio Times referred to it as "an intriguing period piece" that offers educational value, highlighting standout performances by Marsay and Brown, and rated it three stars.
Alex Moreland at National World also granted three stars, emphasizing the captivating concept and well-crafted script supported by skilled actors.
Rebecca Nicholson from The Guardian gave the show three stars, calling it "nicely compelling" and informative but critiqued its broad handling of themes such as racism and sexism.
Camilla Long in The Times likened the series to a blend of Hi-de-Hi! and Crocodile Dundee, describing it as "hilariously watchable" with every Australian stereotype explored.
Dan Einav of the Financial Times offered a two-star rating, criticizing the "laboured subplots" and concluding that the series ultimately leaves its audience feeling underwhelmed.
NME placed the show tenth on its list of the 10 Best Australian TV shows of 2023, calling it "an eye-opener."
Accolades and Nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Golden Nymph Awards – Monte-Carlo Television Festival |
Best Series – Fiction | Ten Pound Poms | Template:Won |
| Best Actor – Fiction | Warren Brown | Template:Won | ||
| Australian Screen Sound Guild Awards | Best Sound in a Television Series | Ten Pound Poms | Template:Nominated | |
| 2024 | AACTA Awards | Best Costume Design | Xanthe Heubel | Template:Nominated |