The Archers

BBC Radio 4

4.2 (20)
DRAMA
UPDATED DAILY

Contemporary drama in a rural setting.

17 HR AGO

07/05/2026

Ruairi tells Brian he’s going to tell the police what happened with George. Brian insists he can’t – but if Ruairi does, Brian will confess to the same crime and they’ll both go to prison. Ruairi needs to get on with his life, including a job interview tomorrow. Ruairi then says that instead he’ll tell George the truth and goes. Agitated Brian can’t stop him, but tells Lilian where Ruairi’s going. George doesn’t believe Ruairi though, insisting Brian hit him and Ruairi’s just trying to protect Brian. George suggests counselling to Ruairi, who gives up trying to persuade George of the truth. George assures Ruairi everything’s settled with Brian, now he’s bought the drone. Ruairi sees Lilian on his way home, telling her George didn’t believe him and he thinks that means it’s all over. Tracy tells Bert she hasn’t got time to fix him up with a girlfriend, pointing out how impractical going on dates would be. He should try joining a local group instead. To Bert’s horror Tracy’s preparing a tofu stir-fry, before Brad takes grateful Bert off to vote. On the way back they stop at Ivy’s grave, where Brad asks if Bert’s serious about finding a girlfriend. In turn, Bert asks about Den, whether Brad wants to see him again. Bert reminisces how happy he was one time he met up with Clive. Later, Bert’s unimpressed by the stir-fry and wallows in self-pity. Tracy challenges Bert to call Clive, if he thinks he’ll do a better job looking after him, while Brad decides he won’t contact Den.

13 min
1 DAY AGO

06/05/2026

Adam tells Ruairi they need to do something about Brian before Home Farm goes to the dogs. Ruairi disagrees, but Adam suspects Ruairi and Brian are hiding something and pushes emotional Ruairi to tell him what it is. Adam’s stunned when he hears Ruairi attacked George and Brian’s taken the blame. Ruairi makes Adam promise not to tell Brian he knows, before breaking down and then storming out. When Ben sees Ruairi rush past, upset, he walks with him to the Am, where Ruairi opens up partially, confessing that he’s struggling to deal with something he’s done. Ruairi then admits he’s started talking to his dead mum and really wishes she was there. Ben’s worried about Ruairi and suggests he needs to find a way to live with whatever it is he’s done, like doing something to make amends. Ruairi agrees, he has to try to make it right. Azra worries to Akram that she needs to put something concrete in place for her Mental Health initiative. She outlines possible reasons why she thinks people in rural areas have difficulty opening up about their mental health, before Akram goes to see Tom and proposes setting up a care farm at Bridge Farm. Tom agrees it could benefit the local community, but thinks they might be too stretched to do it. Nevertheless, he’ll talk to the family and get back to Akram, who then reports this back to Azra with a positive spin. She thinks it sounds fantastic, but then accidentally lets Fletcher fly out of the window.

13 min
2 DAYS AGO

05/05/2026

Anna drops in at Bridge Farm, where she sees Natasha and meets Azra, who talks about the Mental Health initiative she’s promoting. Both Natasha and Anna enthuse about the need for it. Natasha also wonders if Anna would take her place as a speaker at the WI. Later, Leonard and Carol tell Anna about the bats. Anna wants to get rid of them, but Carol’s perfectly happy leaving them where they are, especially as they’re a protected species. Leonard says he’ll seek advice and goes. Carol’s testy with Anna when she starts tidying up and offers to do some shopping, but Carol’s more positive regarding the talk to the WI. Back at the Tearoom Anna tells Natasha she wishes there was someone else to help her support Carol and make decisions. But she does agree to stand in for Natasha at the WI. Azra tells Ruth she thinks she’d be eligible for genetic testing, given the type of breast cancer she had. Ruth tells her that Pip and Ben would like to know if Ruth has the variant, but Josh doesn’t, and since her decision affects all of them where does that leave her? Azra explains the process if Ruth has the test, and the counselling that would be offered. Azra thinks Ruth should talk to her family and think it through. Later, Ruth tells Leonard about her appointment. Wise Leonard counsels Ruth to give it time for everyone to get their heads around it. She’s doing the right thing by considering her options – these things can’t be rushed.

13 min
3 DAYS AGO

04/05/2026

Leonard arrives at Glebe Cottage with the pendant alarm for Carol, who tells him she doesn’t want it. She suspects Leonard’s there to keep an eye on her with the Occupational Therapist. Leonard explains it’ll just be an assessment, but it’s the tin of flapjacks he’s brought which swings the balance, so Carol lets him in. After the Occupational Therapist’s gone Carol grudgingly allows that she did a good job listening and making suggestions. Leonard’s flapjacks and tea-making skills seem to have softened Carol, too. Leonard hints at some tension currently at Brookfield, before Carol tells him she’s been hearing noises at night and thinks it might be the ghost of a vicar’s wife. Leonard goes into the loft to investigate and discovers bats up there. Carol’s delighted, imagining what Anna will say when she finds out… Tom and Natasha discuss the Battling Bull’s heavy defeat in yesterday’s cricket match and the knee injury Tom sustained. Tom’s in a bad mood, but Natasha’s looking forward to showing round a group of prospective buyers for Justin’s shares and selling Ambridge to them. It’ll be a good earner for Natasha, but she’s still anxious about not managing to sell any clothes on the app yet. Tom suggests selling the clothes stored in bags in their loft – so long as he takes joint responsibility and starts using the app as well, Natasha chides. Later, disappointed Natasha admits Justin’s potential investors weren’t interested in anything she showed them, despite her best efforts, while Tom still isn’t keen on getting involved with selling their clothes.

13 min
4 DAYS AGO

03/05/2026

When George asks Brian to give him the money for a new drone, Brian tells him he’ll be in touch. George then bumps into Brad and they talk about Bert’s new fitness regime, plus getting ready for the new baby. Later, Brian confides in Lilian about George’s request, worried it might be the start of a blackmail campaign. Lilian thinks Brian needs to make it clear this is a one-off payment. She’ll be there as a witness, also offering to lift the bar on George at The Bull, so she can keep an eye on him. When George calls round at Blossom Hill later, he’s amazed by Lilian’s offer and very grateful for the money, agreeing this will be the end of the matter. Brian really hopes so. Anna calls Ruth, asking if someone can help set up the pendant alarm she’s ordered for Carol. She’s worried about tomorrow morning, when the Occupational Therapist is due to visit Glebe Cottage. Anna’s busy in court, so can’t be there herself. Ruth can’t help, but then Leonard offers his services, after Ruth tells him about Anna’s predicament. When Ruth calls to let Anna know she’s grateful, but has to rush off. Leonard then tells Ruth he’ll take a sweetener along to Carol’s tomorrow, in case he ends up staying all day. Brad tells Tracy that Den keeps messaging him. Tracy thinks Den wants to make up for lost time, but Brad’s torturing himself about whether he wants Den back in his life. Tracy suggests he take his time to make a decision.

13 min
6 DAYS AGO

01/05/2026

While Ruth waits to hear from Josh, David moans about his Borchester Show workload, before going to meet George and Amber to discuss marketing ideas. George is nervous about making his pitch to David, hoping it will kick-start his business back into life and boost Amber’s ambitions. When David arrives, Amber leads on explaining their concept, with George chipping in. David thinks it sounds amazing but also wants them to promote farming generally. George suggests adding sweeping aerial footage, only he’ll need to buy a new drone. David can’t pay him up front, but George assures David he’ll find the money from somewhere. Later, George promises Amber he won’t do anything dodgy to raise the money but will earn it fair and square. David reports back positively to Ruth, who tells him Josh doesn’t want to know the result if she has the BRCA test. Ruth understands Josh saying that, but it doesn’t help her make the decision whether to have the test in the first place. David thinks they should wait to see what Azra says at next week’s appointment, and try not to worry about it until then, while Ruth apologises for being snappy. Lilian tells Adam she knows Brian reneged on his promise about the farm. Adam doesn’t know why he did and starts opening up, before they’re interrupted. Later, Adam suggests several reasons why Brian has something against him, assuming he’ll never change. Lilian hints at another reason behind Brian’s volte face, mentioning Ruairi, then covers up, insisting Brian isn’t as callous as he seems.

13 min
30 APR

30/04/2026

Tom nags at Natasha to put some of her more expensive items of clothing up for sale, but Natasha’s reluctant. One thing she refuses to consider is taking in a lodger. Tracy shows Bert a selection of vapes Susan’s brought over, but he’s unimpressed. Tracy then makes Bert do some Chair Tai Chi, as she agrees with Susan that he needs to get healthier. Bert reckons he just needs to be looked after better and Tracy loses patience, forcing him out for a walk. Recalling how brilliantly Ivy cared for everyone Tracy reckons she’d be nagging Bert to be more independent. Bert suggests Tracy find him a lady friend – that’d put a spring in his step. Lilian finds Brian brooding on how close Miranda and Oliver have become, but Lilian’s sympathies are with Miranda, after recent events. Lilian probes what’s going on between Brian and Adam, while Brian seeks insider information on Justin selling his shares, but Lilian’s giving nothing away. They’re surprised to find Natasha coming out of the Dower House, having been to see Justin. Back at the Tearoom Natasha tells Tom she’s offered to show two groups of potential buyers for Justin’s shares round Ambridge next week – and he’s agreed to pay handsomely! Lilian admires Natasha’s chutzpah, before Brian finally explains about promising Home Farm to Adam, then changing his mind as he doesn’t want to disinherit Ruairi. Lilian stands up for Adam, but Brian insists he can’t tell Adam the truth about Ruairi, fearing they’d only end up arguing again. Lilian offers to speak to Adam instead.

13 min
29 APR

29/04/2026

Susan tries hurrying Tracy out of 6 The Green, but they have to settle grumpy Bert first. He complains about being neglected, while rejecting all their suggestions of activities to do and places to go. Eventually they leave him with the remote control and head for the Dairy. Outside, in Bridge Farm yard, Susan and Tracy look at second-hand clothes on Natasha’s phone. Lottie arrives for lunch at the Tearoom and talks approvingly to Natasha about Loxley Barratt School. Natasha later pumps Lottie for more information, as Seren and Nova are down to go there. It’s all pretty positive. While making cheese Tracy and Susan gossip about Lottie dating Chris; Chelsea wanting to stay in touch with Den - and Den’s new wife, Sophe. Susan points out that Tracy waiting hand and foot on Den previously was the same as she’s doing for Bert now. Later, they find Bert’s barely moved since they left him. Susan’s determined she’s going to get Bert up and active, if it’s the last thing she does. Adam has lunch with Ian, happy he hasn’t seen Brian all morning. He’s dismayed about Alice appearing to take Brian’s side yesterday, though Ian can understand why she would after Brian’s been so supportive of her in the past. Following Ian’s suggestion of getting Kate to talk Alice round, Adam reports back later that it was only after he pointed out Brian’s plan for caravan storage next to Spiritual Home that Kate got onboard with him and Debbie. As for Ruairi and Alice though, he’s still not sure.

13 min

See All (113)

Emma Vallency Freud

Host

4.2

out of 5

20 Ratings

Archers Addict

23/10/2017

SueBlue

I won’t reveal how many years I’ve listened for but this is a classic soap opera. Highly recommended.
Great listening

15/06/2010

Johnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

It's just the right length to listen to everyday the characters are believeable and the location effects are superb