The thrill of a renovation project is addictive, even when you’re dealing with absolute ruins. Amanda Holden and Alan Carr have certainly proven that, having turned their latest Greek venture into a bit of a marathon. After their initial success with The Italian Job—where they transformed dilapidated properties in Sicily and Tuscany, and later Andalusia, for charity—the duo has now set their sights on Corfu. Amanda admitted it was their toughest slog yet; the house was essentially a shell, missing floors, windows, and even stairs. Despite the stress, there’s a genuine affection for the country involved, with Amanda noting that she’s been holidaying there for years with her husband, Chris, and their daughters. It was one of those “wouldn’t it be amazing if” pipe dreams that actually turned into a reality, though, as anyone who has tackled a renovation will tell you, leaving behind a project you’ve poured yourself into is always a bit heartbreaking.
While Amanda and Alan are busy battling structural chaos in the Mediterranean, a different kind of drama is unfolding in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains back in Germany. The new early-evening series Frieda – Mit Feuer und Flamme launched this summer, shifting the focus to the gritty, heartfelt world of the volunteer fire service. The show follows nurse Frieda, who returns to her roots only to find the local station on the brink of closure. It’s a classic setup: a personal crusade to save an institution tied to her fondest childhood memories, complicated by the usual tangled web of small-town life—including a rekindled flame with the local mayor, her ex-boyfriend, and some unexpected sparks flying with a firefighter named Mirko.
The series kicked off in early June on Sat.1, with a streaming debut on Joyn arriving just a few days earlier. It is quite an ambitious run, too, with a total of 162 episodes planned for the first season. The broadcast schedule has been a bit of a moving target; while the show initially settled into an 18:00 slot, it’s currently undergoing a transition. As of late June, the series is moving to a Saturday early-morning marathon format, airing ten episodes back-to-back. It’s a steep change of pace for the audience, but given the blend of regional idyll, high-stakes community drama, and the messy balancing act of Frieda’s personal life, there is clearly plenty of ground to cover for those settling in for the long haul.
