Down the Line: a Secret Army podcast

Interview with Constantine Gregory (Ivan in Russian Roulette)

This month we take a short break from the second series for an interview which AJ conducted with actor Constantine Gregory who played one of the two Russians in Russian Roulette: Ivan Ilyich Kusnetsov. American-born Constantine shares details of his Russian ancestry, his friendship with Richard Marner, and highlights from his career as both an actor and as a dialogue coach on films such as The Last Emperor and Conspiracy with Kenneth Branagh. 
We are grateful to Constantine for sharing his memories wth us. If you enjoyed the interview and would like to show your appreciation for his contribution, then please consider donating to his chosen charity: Turning Tides: https://www.turning-tides.org.uk/ which seeks to end local homelessness in the UK. 
If you would like to contact us then please email us on, or send a voicenote to: secretarmypod@gmail.com or send us a message on Bluesky: AJ is on secretarmypod.bsky.social while Andy can be found at andypodding.bsky.social. AJ is also still on Twitter at @secretarmypod. We'd love to hear from you, especially your takes on the Series 2 episodes Not According to Plan and Scorpion which are currently in preparation. Thank you!
Next Time: Lucky Piece

Series 2, Episode 2: Russian Roulette

'That megalomaniac upstart is rapidly degenerating into a latter-day Caligula!'
Our review of Secret Army's gripping second series continues with John Brason's Russian Roulette: soon after hearing about the death of their leader Lisa, Lifeline have to contend with two Russian evaders, Brandt is asked to join a plot against Hitler, and Albert accepts Kessler's invite to a sinister garden party...
While AJ realises just how much of the episode they had forgotten, Andy disagrees with himself from the past about both locations and musical instruments. The pair agree that the episode could also be called 'Natalie's Very Bad Day' and consider issues as diverse as: Alain's family and his share of the Muny farm; why everyone is suddenly and inexplicably calling Lisa, Yvette; the meaning of European hand gestures; and the decision not to subtitle the episode's plentiful Russian dialogue. 
There's also Ryan's reaction on first viewing, Alex Wilcock considering both the episode's title and Kessler's return invitation to Albert, and Joanna from Australia who first watched the series at ten-years-old.
The book that AJ mentions is The Nine by Gwen Strauss about a band of daring resistance women who escaped from Nazi Germany. 
If you would like to contact us then please email us on, or send a voicenote to: secretarmypod@gmail.com or send us a message on Bluesky: AJ is on secretarmypod.bsky.social while Andy can be found at andypodding.bsky.social. AJ is also still on Twitter at @secretarmypod. We'd love to hear from you, especially your takes on the Series 2 episodes Trapped and Not According to Plan which are in preparation. Thank you!
Next Time: Lucky Piece

Interview with Jan Francis

In this special episode of Down the Line, AJ Interviews none other than Jan Francis who played Lisa Colbert: codename Yvette, in Secret Army. As well as her memories of being cast in the show, Jan recalls its creator and producer Gerry Glaister, and the learning curve she and her fellow cast members went on as they found out about the historical reality behind the series.
Having recently watched the series again on Talking Pictures, Jan also reflects on whether Secret Army still stands up today. She also reveals some surprisingly relevant stories of her own father's wartime exploits. 
We are incredibly grateful to Jan for giving up her time for this interview and for sharing so generously. If you would like to show your appreciation, then please consider donating to Jan's chosen charity: SSAFA (The Armed Forces Charity) at: https://www.ssafa.org.uk/ (and mention this Secret Army podcast when you donate so that contributions relating to this interview can be grouped together). 
As ever, we'd love to hear from you. We will shortly be recording our thoughts on the Series 2 episodes: 'Trapped' and 'Not According to Plan' - if you have anything to say about either then our email is: secretarmypod@gmail.com You can also send us a message on Bluesky: AJ is on secretarmypod.bsky.social while Andy can be found at andypodding.bsky.social. AJ is also still on Twitter at @secretarmypod 
Thank you for listening!
AJ & Andy x
Next Time: Russian Roulette

Series 2, Episode 1: The Hostage

AJ and Andy finally arrive at Series 2 and its fair to say they're excited to be here. They discuss the big changes between seasons as Lifeline takes up its new centre of operations in the high-class Restaurant Candide in the Grand Place and Albert, Monique and Natalie begin to rub shoulders with the enemy on a daily basis. Along the way your hosts also discuss the off-screen departure of Jacques Bol, the Birthday Paradox and this episode's terribly misjudged instrumental music. 
As ever the historical reality behind the episode is also explored and Andy's partner Ryan shares what he thinks after his first time watch. We also hear from regular contributor Alex Wilcock and there's a special musical Easter Egg from 2006.
Spoiler Alert: Although this episode is from 1978 we feel duty bound to issue a spoiler warning relating to the death of one of Lifeline's regular characters. Do watch the episode in advance of listening. 
If you would like to contact us then please email us on, or send a voicenote to: secretarmypod@gmail.com or send us a message on Bluesky: AJ is on secretarmypod.bsky.social while Andy can be found at andypodding.bsky.social. AJ is also still on Twitter at @secretarmypod. We'd love to hear from you, especially your takes on the Series 2 episodes Lucky Piece and Trapped which we have yet to record. Thank you!
Next Time: Interview with Jan Francis (in two weeks time)

Interview with Juliette Hammond (Christmas Special 2024)

It's our 2024 Christmas Special and this year our festive offering is a brand new interview with Juliette Hammond who played Natalie in all three series of Secret Army!
As well as talking about her memories of the series, in an interview first, she also casts her mind back to playing other roles during her career: the telepath Pella in Blake's 7, the duplicitous Miranda in Only Fools and Horses, and Miss Hawk in the Look and Read series Dark Towers. She also recounts her experiences of growing up with actor parents, why she left acting behind, and her love of teaching drama. 
If you enjoy this interview then please consider giving a donation to Juliette’s chosen charity: The Donkey Sanctuary, based in Sidmouth. Their website is www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk or you can call them on 01395 579128. When making a donation please say that it’s in reference to the Secret Army podcast, as this will help the charity to group all the donations together and work out any amount raised.
We will be back next month - on the 4 January - with our review of the first episode of Series 2: The Hostage. 
If you would like to contact us then please email us on, or send a voicenote to: secretarmypod@gmail.com or send us a message on Bluesky: AJ is on secretarmypod.bsky.social while Andy can be found at andypodding.bsky.social. AJ is also still on Twitter at @secretarmypod We'd love to hear from you.
Thank you for coming down the line with us in 2024. 
Happy holidays!
Andy & AJ xxx
 

Review of Series One

AJ and Andy look back over the first series of Secret Army ahead of their exploration of series two. Andy shares memories of Clifford Rose while AJ teases content from a forthcoming interview with Jan Francis. They also consider their favourite directors, writers, regular characters and guest stars and reveal choices sent in by listeners. 
As a piece of bonus content in the final 20 minutes AJ interviews Abigail Brown who played the farmer's daughter in the first episode of Secret Army before becoming a regular on Grange Hill. If you enjoy this interview please consider donating to one of her charities: Shelter or the NSPCC.
If you would like to get in touch with us about this episode or have comments about the Series 2 episodes Russian Roulette or Lucky Piece (we've already recorded The Hostage) then please tweet us at @secretarmypod or email us (or send a voice-note): secretarmypod@gmail.com
Thank you for coming down the line with us!
Andy & AJ

Episode 16: Be the First Kid in Your Block to Rule the World

With Kessler determined to capture the British agent, Curtis must find a way out of Brussels as a great encirclement of the city begins...
AJ and Andy finally reach the end of the first series and tackle matters as diverse as the relationship between Lisa and Curtis, the replacement of Brandt by Reinecke, and what Lifeline is doing outside at the end of the episode!
Along the way they find much to enjoy: the ideas that Lisa and Monique come up with; the typically Vik Ritelis direction; and the sheer bravado of Curtis's escape. However, they also find themselves grappling with a historical dating issue and why Curtis doesn't understand that he can't just come back to Brussels!
At the end of the episode we hear from Sophie who found her way to Secret Army via Buffy, the Vampire Slayer! You can find Sophie on Instagram @stanleybiggsclothiers.
Please do let us know your thoughts on this or any previous episode. We will shortly be recording episodes on Series 2's early episodes, so message us about those too! You can contact us on Twitter @secretarmypod or by email on secretarmypod@gmail.com 
We will be back next month with an episode reviewing all of the first series of Secret Army. 
Thanks for listening!
AJ & Andy
Next Month: Series 1 Wrap-Up

Episode 15: Suspicions

When Curtis falls under suspicion for the murder of Hugh Neville, the future of Lifeline is in doubt as Brandt and Kessler come dangerously close to uncovering their operations...
Andy is thrilled to have arrived at what he consider to be a blueprint for the series Secret Army and even dispensed with his usual poker face when watching it with Ryan. AJ meanwhile couldn't help but notice the wintry feel or the amount of times characters came in and out of doors!
There's also high praise for both Curtis and Albert they respond to questioning, as well as fond appreciation for the thoughtful scenes that the latter shares with Andree.
Elsewhere, there's an opportunity to sing "Capable Women" rather than "Interchangeable Men" and a moment to appreciate Jacques Bol in this his final episode.
Join AJ and Andy as they hurtle towards the finale of Series One!
Please do get in touch with your thoughts on this and future episodes. Tweets and voice-notes are both most welcome. You can email us on secretarmypod@gmail.com or on Twitter @secretarmypod
Thank you for coming with us down the line!
AJ & Andy
Next Time: Be the First Kid in Your Block to Rule the World

Episode 14: Good Friday

When the brothers of a Brussels-based monastery elect to harbour an evader, Kessler arrives on the scene and his usual tactics are in no way dulled as he confronts these 'men of God' on one of their holiest days: Good Friday.
This month, AJ and Andy are delighted to be joined by Alex Wilcock as together they muse upon the many theological themes, meanings and metaphors in John Brason's script. They also consider chosen family and chosen names, whether Lisa is a calming influence, and, as ever, the value of Curtis to Lifeline.
Elsewhere there is advice from AJ on egg painting, memories of slideshow nights from Andy, and a wonderfully relevant Kate Bush-related fact from Alex. 
Please do get in touch with your thoughts on this and future episodes. Tweets and voice-notes are most welcome! You can email us on secretarmypod@gmail.com or on Twitter @secretarmypod
Thank you so much for listening!
AJ & Andy 
Next Time: Suspicions

An interview with Hetty Baynes (Yvonne)

AJ and Andy interview Henrietta 'Hetty' Baynes who played Yvonne in three different episodes of Secret Army. Hetty recalls working on the Candide studio set, rehearsing in Acton and the joy of working with the series regulars. She also reflects on what motivated Yvonne and the character's possible journey after the war. Hetty also recounts highlights from her varied TV career including Bergerac, Running Scared and Jonathan Creek and how she met and fell in love with film director Ken Russell while making The Secret Life of Arnold Bax.
If you enjoyed this episode please consider contributing to one of Hetty's nominated charities:
NSPCC, www.nspcc.org.uk, 0207 825 2505
Beat, beateatingdisorders.org.uk, 0160 375 3308
Mind, mind.org.uk, 0208 215 2243
Next Time: Good Friday