Sign up to FREE email alerts from Mirror - celebs Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

There are bloodied bandages blowing in the drizzle, hobbling amputees with blown-apart faces, and rodents scampering under makeshift hospital beds.

Being on location at the Beeb’s epic new drama The Crimson Field is not, frankly, a pleasant experience. And neither should it be. For the grim canvas tents and wooden walkways are all a painstaking replica of a typical field hospital during the First World War.

Marking the centenary of such a huge event was always going to be a big deal for the BBC, and much has been invested in this six-part drama with its stellar cast and scripts penned by former EastEnders’ writer Sarah Phelps.

Unlike many stories about the Great War, the focus here is not so much on the men on the front line, as the women who have to care for them afterwards, in the field hospitals on the French coast.

It’s cold and bleak on the sprawling set in deepest Wiltshire. But we are welcomed with a warm smile from Scott & Bailey actress Suranne Jones who plays Sister Joan Livesay in her first ever period drama.

And Joan causes quite a stir when she arrives on a motorbike sporting a leather jacket and cropped hair, looking more like a man than a nurse.

“I usually do very contemporary roles,” admits Suranne, 36, “although Joan, who I play, is a very modern character in this world, so I think it works.

"She’s a nurse from Liverpool and has a secret – she’s in love with a German and wears his engagement ring around her neck. I love the costumes which really help you to get into character.

"The nurses always looked pristine. They could never wear perfume or make-up because they didn’t want the men to look at them as sexual objects, so they have a nun-like quality.”

(Image: BBC)

We’re also introduced to the efficient yet warm Matron Grace Carter, who is played by Spooks and Cold Feet star Hermione Norris. Grace has recently been promoted, much to the annoyance of her deputy Sister Mary Quayle (Kerry Fox), who believed the job was hers.

“I think roles for women get better every year,” says Hermione, 46, of the female-heavy cast. “Sarah Phelps just writes the most amazing scripts.”

The Wire In The Blood actress describes the character she portrays as being “married to her job”.

“Women who worked as military nurses back then really weren’t allowed to be married,” explains Hermione.

“The job is her life. She’s utterly scrupulous and disciplined. She’s strict but progressive too. For instance, the men are all going into town and coming back with syphilis. Grace suggests treating the prostitutes, not just the men, to break the circle. That was unheard of back then!”

There is a man in the cast though, and the commanding officer in charge of the hospital is played by Kevin Doyle, best known as Downton Abbey’s downtrodden servant Mr Molesley.

Kevin was pleased to be cast in a very different role here. “Yes, it’s nice to be giving orders instead of following them!” grins the 52-year-old. “And have people saluting me.”

(Image: BBC)

In the opening episode, we meet the three VADs – Volunteer Aid Detachment – who have left behind middle-class homes to be nurses for the war effort.

There’s troubled Kitty (Game Of Thrones’ star Oona Chaplin), who is seen tossing away her wedding ring, jolly hockysticks posh girl Flora (Alice St Clair), and earnest do-gooder Rosalie Berwick (Marianne Oldham). They have no idea of the horrors about to confront them as they enter the camp – and it’s a real shock.

Being in a female-dominated cast meant there was plenty of girly bonding.

“It was great because we all stayed in the same place,” adds Suranne. “When we weren’t filming we went for saunas and cups of tea.

“I just hope that people fall in love with the characters and remind themselves what happened 100 years ago and how lucky we are today.”

Meet the VADs

(Image: BBC)

A motorbike-riding modern woman who’s ahead of her time and clashes with the old guard. Also has a secret lover.

(Image: BBC)

Back in England she was well-heeled but left on the shelf. She feels can do more good being on the front line.

(Image: BBC)

A spiky divorcée who has been through many troubles and who feels there’s nothing left for her back home.

(Image: BBC)

Posh, sweet-natured and naïve, she’s the youngest volunteer and tries to lift everyone’s spirits.

The Crimson Field, BBC1 Sunday, 9pm