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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.

Ten Pound Poms is back on BBC One for a second series
(Photo: Lisa Tomasetti/BBC/Eleven Film)
Michelle Keegan as Kate and Faye Marsay as Annie in the new series of Ten Pound Poms
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Michelle Keegan as Kate (Photo: Lisa Tomasetti/Eleven Film/BBC)

Overview

  • 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.