About The Show

Occupation traces the lives of three British soldiers, following them from the first moments of the invasion of Basra in April 2003 to the present. Each man finds himself deeply transformed by his experiences.

While participating in the invasion of Iraq in 2003, British soldiers Mike, Danny, and Hibbs come under crossfire in a Basra apartment block. Emerging from the bloodbath, they help to fly an injured little girl back to England for treatment.

However, each man fails to adjust to civilian life back in Manchester. They separately decide to return to the chaos of Basra - Mike for love, Danny for the rich financial pickings, and Hibbs because he passionately believes in the mission to rebuild the country and help the Iraqi people.

Mike's marriage falls apart as he pursues a love affair with an Iraqi doctor Aliya. Hibbs is deeply traumatized after witnessing the murder of his friend Yunis. And Danny's exploitation of their position as contractors in Iraq leads to more destruction.

These three soldiers' distinct but interwoven journeys are set against the backdrop of growing sectarian conflict in Iraq. Their individual dreams of riches, love, and idealism come to define not just their lives but the war and the occupation of Basra itself.

Urgent and compelling, Occupation unveils a tale of lost lives, corporate greed, and a war that has left so many huge questions unanswered.

Occupation was written by Peter Bowker, creator of the Golden Globe-nominated Viva Blackpool.

Critics are raving about Occupation:

"Occupation, a British look at the Iraq war on BBC America on Sunday, is one of the best television depictions yet of that conflict...The narrative is well imagined and thoughtfully written, but it's the performances that hold viewers' attention."
- Alessandra Stanley, New York Times

"The miniseries on BBC America depicts the relentless, nonsensical, heart-wrenching horror of the Iraq war unlike anything else that's been on television...These are not stories with happy endings, but Occupation is unexpectedly uplifting in its bravery and humanity. Nesbitt, Graham and Brown brilliantly take their characters to hell and back without losing the slender but undeniable essence of who each man is."
- Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times

"There have to be good reasons to watch a scripted drama about the war in Iraq, as opposed to a documentary. And BBC America's powerful Occupation provides plenty of them."
- Matt Gilbert, Boston Globe