Hunt For Truth

World on Fire’s Helen Hunt on the real-life reporter who inspired her courageous character

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World on Fire has provided us with a rich tapestry of characters since the World War Two drama began, but only one of them is based on an actual historical figure.

Writer Peter Bowker drew inspiration from a number of people when creating the role of American reporter Nancy Campbell but foremost in his mind was legendary British journalist Clare Hollingworth.

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On 28 August 1939, Hollingworth was driving along Germany’s border with Poland when she spotted a mass of troops, tanks and armoured vehicles waiting to invade and start the war.

Realizing she had stumbled upon the ‘scoop of the century’, she contacted her editor to break the story – a moment that was re-created by Hollywood star Helen Hunt, who plays Nancy, in the first episode of this seven-part series.