BBC's 'Ten Pound Poms' Season 2 Explores Migration Struggles and Moral Dilemmas

The drama delves into the harsh realities faced by 1950s British migrants in Australia, tackling themes of forced adoption, exploitation, and personal sacrifice.

• Set in 1957, the series continues to follow British families enticed by Australia's Assisted Passage Migration Scheme, which promised a better life for just £10 but often delivered harsh living conditions and discrimination.
• Michelle Keegan's character, Kate, remains a central focus as she struggles with the emotional fallout of her son's forced adoption and her attempts to reconnect with him.
• Terry and Annie Roberts face new challenges as Terry grapples with a morally dubious job offer and their family navigates the pressures of hostel life and societal prejudice.
• The show balances its soapy drama with darker themes, including misogyny, housing exploitation, and postwar trauma, while also touching on Australia's historical injustices, such as the treatment of Aboriginal peoples.
• Critics praise the emotional depth of certain storylines but note that the series' attempt to juggle multiple social issues can dilute its impact.

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