Welcome to Rosie the Reviewer, a Dutch-Canadian female-led WW2 media podcast. A new episode airs every Friday!

Ep 52 – Masters of the Air Actors Bailey Brook & Kai Alexander Talk WWII Escape Routes & Behind-the-Scenes Moments

Subscribe:

Apple PodcastsCastBoxPocketCastsSpotifyRSSAmazon MusicYouTube

Support the podcast

Rosie the Reviewer is a passion project, built episode by episode. If you’d like to support what we do, you can help keep us on the air or pick up some Rosie merch. We’re working on more ways for you to get involved in the future.

Description

In this episode of Rosie the Reviewer, we’re joined by Masters of the Air stars Bailey Brook and Kai Alexander, who brought to life the characters of Sergeant Charles K. Bailey and Sergeant William Quinn. Get the inside scoop on their experience portraying WWII airmen, discover the thrilling story of the Comet Line and its daring escape routes, and hear all about the behind-the-scenes details that went into bringing these real-life stories to the screen. Grab your parachute and join us for an action-packed conversation!

Listen to the audio-only version here.

Masters of the Air Trailer

Last Best Hope Documentary

To prepare for this episode, we read Peter Eisner’s book The Freedom Line, but also watched this incredible documentary about a downed airman and the brave young women who helped him make it back home.

Book Rec by Sam and Maartje

The Freedom Line by Peter Eisner

The Freedom Line by Peter Eisner is a powerful account of the underground escape network that helped hundreds of downed Allied airmen evade capture in Nazi-occupied Europe. Focusing on the real-life journey of pilot Bob Grimes and the civilians—many of them women—who risked everything to guide men like him to freedom, Eisner brings urgency and intimacy to a lesser-known chapter of WWII. With vivid storytelling and meticulous research, the book shines a light on the Comet Line and figures like Andrée de Jongh, whose bravery defied impossible odds. It’s not just a story of survival—it’s a tribute to ordinary people who became quiet heroes. Tense, human, and unforgettable.

*This is an affiliate link. If you buy through this link, we get a small percentage, and you get a book and help Rosie stay afloat. Thank you!

One Response

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

More episodes

Ep 55 – Inglourious Basterds: Tarantino’s Bloody, Brilliant WWII Fantasy

In this episode of Rosie the Reviewer, we dive into Quentin Tarantino’s explosive alternate history film Inglourious Basterds (2009). From Christoph Waltz’s unforgettable performance as the chilling Hans Landa to the film’s masterful tension, spaghetti-western style, and cathartic violence, we break down why this outrageous WWII fantasy still captivates audiences. We also explore the real-life echoes behind the “Basterds,” Tarantino’s bold music choices, and what makes alternate history so tricky — and thrilling — when it’s done right.

Go to episode »

Ep 54 – Bobby Schofield on Playing Dave Kershaw in SAS Rogue Heroes, Being a History Nerd & WWII Acting

In this episode of Rosie the Reviewer, actor Bobby Schofield joins us and SAS Rogue Heroes Correspondent George to talk about his role as Corporal Dave Kershaw in SAS Rogue Heroes (available on BBC iPlayer, MGM+, and Max). We explore his journey from lifelong WWII history nerd to series regular, including the deep research and sleuthing that shaped his portrayal. Bobby shares stories of on-set camaraderie, unscripted lines like “No pasarán!”, and the emotional weight of playing a real WWII figure. We also discuss hopes for Season 3, listen to Bobby nerd out about Band of Brothers and grill him about life on set.

Go to episode »

Ep 61 – X Company Season 2 – The Dieppe Raid, Enigma Machines, Ian Fleming and David Stirling Nods

In this episode of Rosie the Reviewer, we take on Season 2 of X Company, the tense Canadian WWII drama set at Camp X. This season brings higher stakes, deeper trauma, and a brutal reckoning with the Dieppe Raid. We talk Alfred’s Magneto cage, the complexity of Faber and Sabine’s marriage and a certain “code machine that looks like a fancy typewriter”. Yes, the Enigma makes an appearance. Plus: tortured romances (literal and metaphorical), and Aurora absolutely going off-script.
We also get into the real-life inspirations behind the season, from David O’Keefe’s Dieppe theory to the heartbreaking Canadian casualties. And no one is safe, emotionally or narratively. Not even Tom.

Go to episode »

Support the podcast

Rosie the Reviewer is a passion project, built episode by episode. If you’d like to support what we do, you can help keep us on the air or pick up some Rosie merch. We’re working on more ways for you to get involved in the future.