Down the Line: a Secret Army podcast
A podcast reviewing and celebrating the classic BBC TV drama series Secret Army. Episode by episode, every month.
Listen on:
Episodes
Saturday Sep 23, 2023
Saturday Sep 23, 2023
This week your hosts, AJ and Andy, talk a little more about the inception of the series, specifically the contribution of creator (uncredited) and producer Gerard (Gerry) Glaister) and script editor and writer John Brason, as well as reviewing the first episode: Lisa - Code Name Yvette, written by Willis Hall and directed by Kenneth Ives.
Hall had the unenviable task of writing an opening instalment that had to introduce a huge number of characters as well as setting the scene for the style and approach of the series. Was he successful? Or was it an impossible task?
We also hear from Ryan as he watches Secret Army for the very first time.
Don't miss AJ's interview with Secret Army's principal designer Austin Ruddy, also published today.
If you would like to get involved in the podcast, get in touch at @secretarmypod on Twitter or secretarmypod@gmail.com.
Next Time... Episode 2: Sergeant on the Run
Wednesday Sep 06, 2023
Wednesday Sep 06, 2023
Introducing 'Down the Line' a new podcast exploring, reviewing and celebrating the classic BBC wartime series Secret Army.
In this special introductory episode your hosts, Andy and AJ describe what their new podcast will include and why they love Secret Army.
New episodes will be available every 2 weeks and will explore every instalment in depth. Along the way there will be bonus interviews with cast and crew members too!
If you would like to get involved, get in touch at @secretarmypod on Twitter or secretarmypod@gmail.com.
Next Time... Episode 1: Lisa - Code Name Yvette
Down the Line: a Secret Army podcast
From 9 September 2023, AJ (they, them) and Andy (he, him) are your hosts every month as they look back at a TV series that is widely regarded as the best TV drama series ever made: Secret Army.
Broadcast between 1977 and 1979 and numbering 42 episodes, Secret Army told the story of the Brussels-based resistance organisation Lifeline whose members risked their lives to help allied airmen evade capture. Lifeline's members included Albert Foiret (Bernard Hepton), Monique Duchamps (Angela Richards), Natalie Chantrens (Juliet Hammond-Hill), Lisa Colbert (Jan Francis), Alain Muny (Ron Pember), and Max Brocard (Stephen Yardley). Opposing them in their efforts were the formidable Ludwig Kessler (Clifford Rose), and Luftwaffe Majors Erwin Brandt (Michael Culver) and Hans Dietrich Reinhardt (Terrence Hardiman).
The series was praised for its fantastic regular cast all of whom give career-defining performances, its intricate and suspenseful plots, and its careful depiction of ethics and morality in wartime.
Each episode will review an instalment in depth while various special guests (including actual cast and crew!) will also feature in special extra episodes.
If you would like to get involved, contact us via @secretarmypod on Twitter, or at secretarmypod.bsky.social (AJ) and andypodding.bsky.social (Andy) on BlueSky or by email on secretarmypod@gmail.com.