Introduction
Bluestone 42 was a comedy drama series about a British bomb disposal detachment in Afghanistan during Operation Herrick, first broadcast on 05 March 2013 on BBC Three.
Filmed in South Africa, the show focuses on the camaraderie between the soldiers, situational comedy, bureaucracy, conflicts of interests and relationships, and is contrasted with the deadly situations the soldiers are required to defuse. The show’s name refers to the unit’s call-sign, and is rendered verbally as “Bluestone Four-Two.”
The third and final series began on 09 March 2015 and ended on 13 April 2015. In July 2015, writers Cary and Hurst confirmed the show would not return for a fourth series. They cited BBC Three’s impending move to online, and the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan as contributing towards the show having ‘run its course.’
Outline of Series 03, Episode 03
Enthusiastic captain Ellen Best’s arrival splits the team. Simon is besotted by her but the others miss Nick’s lazy, laid-back approach, particularly Bird. The group is not happy to learn that Smith has stolen their fridge so Ellen hopes to become popular by stealing it back but fails and has to buy a new one. She does, however, prove herself when the unit is called out to encounter a suicide bomber.
Bluestone 42 Series
- Series 01:
- Christmas Special.
- Series 02:
- Series 03:
Trivia & Goofs
- The series was filmed in one location at Groot Drankensburg in Franschoek, South Africa.
Production & Filming Details
- Writers: Richard Hurst and James Cary.
- Producers: Stephen McCrum and Michelle Farr.
- Music: Vince Pope.
- Production: BBC.
- Distributor: BBC Three.
- Release Date: 23 March 2015 (UK).
- Running time: 30 minutes.
- Country: UK.
- Language: English.
YouTube Link
Military Gogglebox 
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