Tenko

The gruelling experience of women taken prisoner by the Japanese in WWII

Haunting drama about the gruelling experience of women taken prisoner in WWII. When they're captured after the fall of Singapore, a band of women must try to survive. 

tenko

Seven women are totally unaware that their lives will suddenly be shattered.

December 1941: in Singapore, seven women are totally unaware that their lives will suddenly be shattered and unexpectedly intertwined together.

December 1941: while the Japanese continue their advance south, the general belief is that Singapore will never be taken.

Captured by the Japanese the women arrive at camp. What they find is incomprehensible.

Captured by the Japanese, and separated from their men, the women are marched to their internment camp. What they find there is beyond comprehension.

New Dutch prisoners have arrived at the camp. Marion tries to befriend Sister Ulrica.

New Dutch women prisoners have arrived at the camp laden with possessions. Marion tries to befriend Dutch Sister Ulrica, but finds she's up against a very formidable character.

The antagonism between the groups has grown. Marion is put under considerable pressure.

The antagonism between the British and the Dutch has grown since the smuggling incident. Marion, as British leader, is put under considerable pressure. She begins to doubt her own capabilities.

Hearing that some Red Cross parcels have arrived, the ladies decide to investigate.

Hearing that some Red Cross parcels have arrived in camp, Rose, Blanche and Dorothy decide to investigate.

Sally begins to rely on Nellie more, as the time approaches for her to have her baby.

Sally begins to rely on Nellie more and more, as the time approaches for her to have her baby.

Blanche, frustrated with life in the camp, makes up her mind to do something positive.

Blanche, bored and frustrated with her life in the camp, makes up her mind to do something positive about it.

Yamouchi promises to release Blanche, only if the women can achieve the impossible.

Captain Yamouchi promises to release Blanche, only if the women can achieve the impossible - their decision transforms the activity of the whole camp.

The women start to make preparations to celebrate Christmas in camp.

With Christmas coming, the women start to make preparations to celebrate the festivities in camp - but Christmas comes sooner than expected.

The women have said farewell to their first camp.

The women have said farewell to their first camp and now face the long trek into the unknown.

The women arrive at the new camp. Nobody greets them, they are just herded into a room and locked in. They feel insecure and frightened. What is going to happen?

On their first morning in Tenko, the women are instructed that the camp is efficient.

On their first morning in Tenko, the women are instructed that the camp is the most efficient, clean and harmonious and will continue to be so.

Things have not run smoothly, so Nakamura punishes the women.

Things have not run smoothly, so Nakamura punishes the women by forcing them to work in the factory and the camp.

Everyone is concerned about Dorothy. When Kate discovers the truth, she is strongly against what Dorothy will have to go through.

The women have almost unconsciously accepted the ways of the camp, all except for Joss.

Through Christina, Rose gets a message from the men's camp.

Through Christina, Rose gets a message from the men's camp. No one else must know about it, not even Kate.

The Japanese are out in the jungle searching for a missing prisoner.

The Japanese are out in the jungle searching for a missing prisoner. The women wait apprehensively for their return.

The children have sent young Bobby to Coventry.

While the children have sent young Bobby to Coventry, the women have more threatening things in store for his mother, Lillian.

Rumours grow of the Allies' advance. The camp seethes with unrest. No one foresees the outcome.

The women are in their third camp and rumours are rife.

The women are in their third camp and rumours are rife. They prepare themselves for any eventuality.

It is Summer 1945. The war ends and the women are rescued.

The British women are kept prisoner at Raffles Hotel.

The former prisoners try to adjust to their newly acquired freedom.

Marion is reunited with Clifford, but the other women all start to encounter problems. Sister Ulrica turns up at Raffles.

Hostility from the new internees and an unexpected letter force Dorothy.

Hostility from the new internees and an unexpected letter force Dorothy into an important decision.

The pressure to give evidence and the return of an old adversary cause friction.

The pressure to give evidence and the return of an old adversary cause friction among the women.

A sudden death, a visit to Changi and a tea dance at Raffles create problems.

A sudden death, a visit to Changi and a tea dance at Raffles create problems for the former inmates.

Unexpected news means a sudden change of plan for Maggie Thorpe and Mrs Van Meyer.

The days leading up to the departure home are fraught with a mixture of elation.

The days leading up to the departure home are fraught with a mixture of elation, anxiety and disappointment.

Drama sequel set five years after the women's release from the Japanese POW camps.

Tenko Reunion

Drama sequel set five years after the women's release from the Japanese POW camps. A chance meeting in London sparks a reunion in Singapore for the former prisoners, but no one could have expected how it would turn out. 

Tenko

Tenko

Series 1

Episode 1

Episode 2

Episode 3

Episode 4

Episode 5

Episode 6

Episode 7

Episode 8

Episode 9

Episode 10