Immersive storytelling from the BBC World Service. The home of original drama.The latest season is Purple Heart Warriors, a time-travelling drama about the Japanese American soldiers who became legends of US military history. Inspired by real events, it’s the little-known story of the 442nd Regiment, decorated for their bravery fighting the Nazi German army in World War Two. Narrated by Will Sharpe and written by Oscar nominee Iris Yamashita, it is told in six-parts.Also listen to our previous season: Fukushima. This seven-part nuclear drama tells the story of the tsunami which hit in 2011. It follows the heroes wh...
Bonus: The making of Purple Heart Warriors
Behind the scenes. Find out how our drama, inspired by real events, was born and learn about the creative journey. How did the idea come about and what were the challenges and personal stories which shaped the production? Also, learn how the music and sound design were crafted. Purple Heart Warriors contains dramatised battle scenes and out-dated racial language.
Purple Heart Warriors: 6. ‘Go for broke’
As the 442nd take on the Nazi enemy, they shout their unit’s anthem: “Go for broke”. Ken finally learns why he has been transported back into his grandfather’s life as a soldier. Then he finds himself travelling forwards in time to present-day Los Angeles.This series is inspired by real events and contains dramatised battle scenes and out-dated racial language.Cast:Narrator: Will Sharpe
Ken: Akie Kotabe
Lieutenant/Bus guard/Texan soldier/Reporter: Freddy Elletson
Grandpa Allan/ Mr Yamada: Clyde
Purple Heart Warriors: 5. The lost battalion
With half of the men lost, the most dangerous battle of all awaits. The battalion is ordered to rescue Texan soldiers surrounded by German artillery. Can they save the so-called ‘Lost Battalion’?This series is inspired by real events and contains dramatised battle scenes and out-dated racial language.Cast:Narrator: Will Sharpe
Ken: Akie Kotabe
Lieutenant/Bus guard/Texan soldier/Reporter: Freddy Elletson
Grandpa Allan/ Mr Yamada: Clyde Kusatsu
Emily: Samantha Dakin
Little Ken: Hudson Roberts.
Mr
Purple Heart Warriors: 4. Screaming Mimis
Ken and his Japanese American comrades experience the horror of World War Two combat in Italy. Hardening in battle, they are readied for a push into France. Sheltering in foxholes as rockets rain down, Ken understands more about the stories his grandfather used to tell him as a child.This series is inspired by real events and contains dramatised battle scenes and out-dated racial language.Cast:Narrator: Will Sharpe
Ken: Akie Kotabe
Lieutenant/Bus guard/Texan soldier/Reporter: Freddy Elletson
Gra
Purple Heart Warriors: 3. True Americans
The battalion heads for Europe. The soldiers spend weeks at sea in bunks stacked five high, and none of them believes that Ken is from the future. Meanwhile, Ken remembers his childhood with his grandfather – a man whose uniform he is now wearing.This series is inspired by real events and contains dramatised battle scenes and out-dated racial language.Cast:Narrator: Will Sharpe
Ken: Akie Kotabe
Lieutenant/Bus guard/Texan soldier/Reporter: Freddy Elletson
Grandpa Allan/ Mr Yamada: Clyde Kusatsu
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Purple Heart Warriors: 2. ‘Buddhaheads’
Ken goes to a Japanese American internment camp and is shocked at what he sees. Tensions between recruits from Hawaii and the mainlanders, so-called “Buddhaheads” and “Kotonks”, are running high. Then some news – the soldiers are sent to fight in Europe.This series is inspired by real events and contains dramatised battle scenes and out-dated racial language.Cast:Narrator: Will Sharpe
Ken: Akie Kotabe
Lieutenant/Bus guard/Texan soldier/Reporter: Freddy Elletson
Grandpa Allan/ Mr Yamada: Clyde Ku
Purple Heart Warriors: 1. Memorial day
In Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, a young American finds himself mysteriously transported back in time and training for combat in World War Two. He’s in Camp Shelby, Mississippi, in 1943 and can’t understand why he’s there. Has a bachi, or a curse, been placed on him?This series is inspired by real events and contains dramatised battle scenes and out-dated racial language.Cast:Narrator: Will Sharpe
Ken: Akie Kotabe
Lieutenant/Bus guard/Texan soldier/Reporter: Freddy Elletson
Grandpa Allan/ Mr Yamada
Coming soon: Purple Heart Warriors
Time-travelling drama about the Japanese American legends of US military history - inspired by real events. The story of the 442nd Regiment fighting the Nazi German army in World War Two. An original six-part drama, released from 9th December 2024. Written by Oscar nominee Iris Yamashita and narrated by Will Sharpe.
New drama coming
Stay right here for more original new drama from the BBC World Service. Purple Heart Warriors is coming soon. It’s a time-travelling drama about the Japanese American soldiers who became legends of US military history. Inspired by real events, it’s the little-known story of the 442nd regiment, decorated for their bravery fighting the Nazi German army in World War Two. Narrated by Will Sharpe and written by Oscar-nominated Iris Yamashita, it is told in six-parts. You’ll hear the trailer very soo
Trailer: The Six Billion Dollar Gold Scam
It was the biggest gold mine fraud of all time – a scam that devastated countless lives. But what really happened? Suzanne Wilton revisits the story that she just couldn’t let go of, to find answers about how the scam was perpetrated…and about the mysterious death of a geologist in the jungle. From the BBC World Service and CBC. To hear more, search for The Six Billion Dollar Gold Scam wherever you get your podcasts.
Bonus: U.Me The Complete Musical
The story of two young strangers who meet online and fall in love during the Covid lockdowns. A musical narrated by Stephen Fry and performed by the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, for the BBC World Service. For all episodes, search for U.Me the Complete Musical, wherever you get your BBC podcasts.
Fukushima: 7. Atonement
Former energy company executive Suto, was supposed to ensure that accidents like this couldn’t happen. Ten years later, he searches for atonement. A drama about the events of March 2011. Cast:
Suto: Togo Igawa
Akiko: Ami Okumura Jones
Tutor: Kevin Shen
Guard: Matt McCooey
Sanae: Naoko MoriFukushima is written by Adrian Penketh
Sound design is by Peter Ringrose
Produced by Toby Swift and Sasha Yevtushenko
Commissioned by Simon Pitts for BBC World Service
Fukushima: 6. Legacy
Years after the disaster, one of the “suicide squad” questions his heroism in a town of ghosts. A drama about the events of March 2011. Cast:
Suto: Togo Igawa
Akiko: Ami Okumura Jones
Ito: Matt McCooey
Keiko: Naoko MoriFukushima is written by Adrian Penketh
Sound design is by Peter Ringrose
Produced by Toby Swift and Sasha Yevtushenko
Commissioned by Simon Pitts for BBC World Service
Fukushima: 5. Invisible enemy
“We are at war….” Politicians seize control. And then a breakthrough; can the disaster be contained? A drama about the events of March 2011.Cast:
Suto: Togo Igawa
Akiko: Ami Okumura Jones
Yoshida: Eiji Mihara
Prime minister: Kevin Shen
Hosono: Sadao Ueda
Mayor: Akira Koieyama
Aide: Nino Furuhata
Narrator: Romola GaraiFukushima is written by Adrian Penketh
Sound design is by Peter Ringrose
Produced by Toby Swift and Sasha Yevtushenko
Commissioned by Simon Pitts for BBC World ServiceAudio for t
Fukushima: 4. Evacuation
The reactors are unstable. A “suicide squad” of older workers is sent inside and young staff are evacuated. Pressure levels are dangerously high, raising the chances of another explosion. A drama about the events of March 2011. Cast:
Suto: Togo Igawa
Akiko: Ami Okumura Jones
Yoshida: Eiji Mihara
Prime Minister: Kevin Shen
Saito: Sadao Ueda
Shimada: Akira Koieyama
Ito: Matt McCooey
Narrator: Romola GaraiFukushima is written by Adrian Penketh
Sound design is by Peter Ringrose
Produced by Toby Sw
Fukushima: 3. Explosion
A massive explosion rocks the stricken power plant. Can the reactors be cooled? The nuclear plant manager has an unorthodox plan to prevent further disaster. A drama about the events of March 2011. Cast:
Suto: Togo Igawa
Akiko: Ami Okumura Jones
Yoshida: Eiji Mihara
Prime minister: Kevin Shen
Saito: Sadao Ueda
Matsui: Akira Koieyama
Kojima: Matt McCooey
Kaneko: Nino Furuhata
Narrator: Romola GaraiFukushima is written by Adrian Penketh
Sound design is by Peter Ringrose
Produced by Toby Swift
Fukushima: 2. Emergency
Japan battles to maintain control in the face of nuclear disaster. Can catastrophe be averted? A drama about the events of March 2011. Cast:
Suto: Togo Igawa
Akiko: Ami Okumura Jones
Yoshida: Eiji Mihara
Saito: Sadao Ueda
Ito: Matt McCooey
Shimada: Akira Koieyama
Narrator: Romola Garai
Reporter: Kevin Shen
Reporter: Naoko Mori
Worker: Nino FuruhataFukushima is written by Adrian Penketh
Sound design is by Peter Ringrose
Produced by Toby Swift and Sasha Yevtushenko
Commissioned by Simon Pitts fo
Fukushima: 1. Tsunami
Japan’s nuclear plant is hit as an immense wave surges past defences and floods reactors. It’s a desperate fight to contain a disaster. A drama about the events of March 2011. Cast:
Suto: Togo Igawa
Akiko: Ami Okumura Jones
Yoshida: Eiji Mihara
Saito: Sadao Ueda
Ito: Matt McCooey
Shimada: Akira Koieyama
Narrator: Romola Garai
Reporter: Kevin Shen
Reporter: Naoko Mori
Worker: Nino FuruhataFukushima is written by Adrian Penketh
Sound design is by Peter Ringrose
Produced by Toby Swift and Sasha
Trailer: Fukushima
A drama about losing control in Japan’s nuclear emergency. The heroes who fight to contain the disaster and those whose mistakes lead Japan to catastrophe. Years later, some seek atonement. This seven-part drama from the BBC World Service is released weekly from 15 May 2023.
Get ready for changes
A new drama is coming soon.
Fall of the Shah: 9. God’s government
Enemies are put on trial as Ayatollah Khomeini consolidates his power, in the final episode of the drama. But is this justice, or a desire for revenge? #FalloftheShah
Fall of the Shah: 8. The collapse
Protesters surround the US Embassy. Meanwhile, in episode eight, there’s a power clash in the race to become Iran’s new prime minister. #FalloftheShah
Fall of the Shah: 7. The return of the hidden imam
Millions gather in Iran’s streets to welcome the exiled Ayatollah Khomeini. In the seventh episode of the drama, can the new prime minister maintain order? #FalloftheShah
Fall of the Shah: 6. Shah raft
The Shah is forced to quit Iran to make way for the new prime minister. Sharpour Bakhtiar is a liberal – and a former prisoner of the Shah. In episode six of the drama, the revolution is moving forward. #FalloftheShah
Fall of the Shah: 5. A passion play
The Americans are arguing with themselves. Should President Carter support the Shah? Meanwhile, in episode five of the drama, there’s more violence on the Iranian streets. #FalloftheShah
Fall of the Shah: 4. No instructions
The Shah asks for help from the US, but they have problems of their own. In the fourth part of the drama, protesters are taking over large parts of Tehran. #FalloftheShah
Fall of the Shah: 3. An audience with the Ayatollah
The man behind the protests. In episode three of the drama, a young journalist goes to France to meet the Ayatollah. #FalloftheShah
Fall of the Shah: 2. Black Friday
Protesters take to the streets, inspired by exiled religious leader, Ayatollah Khomeini. The Shah mobilises his army. Episode two of the drama. #FalloftheShah
Fall of the Shah: 1. An island of stability
Something is coming. Can America's friendship with Iran survive? In the first episode of the nine-part drama, US President Jimmy Carter visits Tehran in December 1977. #FalloftheShah
The trailer
A tale of power, betrayal and fear. Taking you back to the 1970s, when the Iranian Revolution would change the world forever. With Game of Thrones star Dame Diana Rigg. The nine-part drama is coming soon.