The Archers

BBC Radio 4
  • 5.0 (1)
  • DRAMA
  • UPDATED DAILY

Contemporary drama in a rural setting.

  1. 20 HR AGO

    16/10/2025

    George tells Jolene he’s trying to get his life back together, but knows he has to earn people’s trust. He offers to help out at The Bull while Kenton’s away. George then plays the sympathy card, mentioning how he put himself in danger helping them locate Markie. Jolene can’t promise anything but says she’ll think about it. Leonard’s concerned about Ruth taking on extra duties while David helps at Meadow Farm. Ruth knows David feels really shaken by Mulligan’s death. But she agrees they can’t stand by and watch cows being neglected. So, for now they’ll keep going like this. When Esme turns up at Brookfield she apologises for putting David and Ruth out. She still hasn’t found her Dad’s will or accessed his accounts, but gives Ruth a bottle of whisky for David. Esme then becomes emotional and Ruth invites her in. Over tea and biscuits Esme confesses to Ruth and Leonard that her passions are website design and marketing, not farming. Her Dad turned increasingly inward in the last year, refusing to get help and hardly talking when she visited. She stopped coming so often, but now wishes she’d made more effort, blaming herself for not being on top of things. Ruth offers help with the feed supply, while David and Akram can carry on milking and Leonard will keep making tea. After Esme’s gone Ruth admits she likes her, despite Ruth’s misgivings about being stretched too thin. Besides, Esme’s need is greater than theirs - at least for now.

    13 min

  2. 1 DAY AGO

    15/10/2025

    Akram continues helping David with the milking at Meadow Farm. David admits the whole farm is a shambles and they still haven’t managed to get in touch with Mulligan’s daughter. He wishes he’d checked in on Mulligan more often, instead of assuming everything was okay. Akram asks about Brookfield and David admits how big a challenge it is keeping the farm going. Then Mulligan’s daughter, Esme, arrives, expecting to see her dad. Awkward David and Akram tell her that he’s died. Over a cup of tea Esme explains that she missed her last couple of regular visits and is shocked by the state everything’s in. Not being a farmer herself she’s incredibly grateful for everything that’s been done just to keep the farm going. David assures her they’re happy to help out in any way they can. Having just found out about George’s visit yesterday Lilian takes Jolene to task for not telling her. Lilian then conducts the draw for the second ticket to the Awards do and Fallon’s the winner, although Lilian is suspiciously quick in disposing of the pieces of paper. Later, Tracy tells Lilian she knows she was cheating and shows her Fallon’s name on all the pieces of paper that were used in the draw. Unrepentant Lilian tries justifying her actions, but Jolene insists on another draw, only this time they’ll use a random generator app on her phone. When the draw is made excited Tracy is declared the winner. Lilian congratulates her grudgingly.

    13 min

  3. 2 DAYS AGO

    14/10/2025

    At Grey Gables Zainab is shadowing Oliver, who thinks it will be good for her to see the frustrating realities of his job. Zainab thanks Oliver for his support over her complaint about Lawrence and the golf club. Zainab gets on with one of Oliver’s more mundane tasks, before spotting on a personnel file he’s shared that his eightieth birthday is coming up. He’d rather forget all about it, but Zainab thinks Oliver should celebrate such a momentous event. Later, Zainab reports an error she’s spotted and how she corrected it. Oliver suggests she’d make a good manager, but Zainab is more interested in organising a party for Oliver’s birthday. Once again Oliver demurs. Eddie, Clarrie and George arrive for lunch at The Bull, taking a table in the corner. Jolene assures them everything’s fine, but after some ill-advised comments by George the atmosphere becomes awkward. Clarrie apologises and Jolene reassures her there’ll be no trouble, so long as George doesn’t go looking for it. Fallon then tells Jolene she won’t hide and will be completely professional with them, before serving their meal. George makes a point of apologising for what happened to Fallon after the crash, while Fallon thanks him for helping Jolene and Kenton with Markie, then goes. Despite the awkwardness Clarrie and Eddie reassure George that it went well. But after they’ve gone Fallon confesses how hard it was seeing George again and Jolene reckons the Grundys are being optimistic if they think the village is ready to kiss and make up.

    13 min

  4. 3 DAYS AGO

    13/10/2025

    Akram has walked to Brookfield to collect a birthday cake that Leonard’s made for Khalil. When the rain starts David offers to drive Akram home, with a detour to drop off a machine part to a neighbouring farmer, Mulligan. But when they get to Meadow Farm they hear the distressed sound of unmilked cows and discover Mulligan lying dead in the milking parlour, before calling the emergency services. Later, David is grateful for Akram’s company while milking the cows. They discuss what happened when the paramedics got there, waxing philosophical about the meaning of life and death. David worries that he could have prevented Mulligan’s death if he’d called earlier, lamenting he doesn’t even know the name of Mulligan’s next of kin, his daughter, to let her know what’s happened. The least David can do is keep milking the cows, until another solution presents itself. Akram offers to help and both hope Mulligan’s at peace. At the Maliks, Zainab and Khalil banter about his 'surprise' birthday party and presents. Zainab jokes that she’s bought him socks and underpants. Khalil is suitably unimpressed. Later, Khalil complains about being kept waiting for his cake before Zainab gives him her real present: tickets to a match in the Women’s T20 cricket World Cup. Delighted Khalil answers his phone and Akram explains what’s happened to Mulligan. He’s going to help David milk and settle the cows, which means he’ll be late back. Akram apologises for the delay, but Khalil is more concerned that the cows will be looked after.

    13 min

  5. 4 DAYS AGO

    12/10/2025

    After enjoying a Sunday roast with Clarrie and Eddie, George goes to help with the turkeys. George quickly shows he hasn’t lost his touch and Eddie’s delighted to have him back. But then one of the turkeys, Houdini, flies onto the Pole Barn roof and George climbs up to bring it back down. George and the bird come crashing down, but they manage to shut Houdini in with the others. In the process George splits his trousers, which they both find hilarious. But then George is downbeat about his reception back into the village, after his poorly attended party last week. Later, Clarrie promises to mend George’s trousers. George offers to take them out for lunch at The Bull on Tuesday, grateful that they took in Amber. Eddie admires George’s confidence, thinking he’ll be fine and things will get easier, but Clarrie’s not so sure. At The Bull Lilian and Jolene look over the details of the upcoming Pub Awards event. Lilian thinks it’ll be a great opportunity for networking with important sponsors, but they’ve only been given two tickets. Jolene tells Lilian to take one of the other staff members. Jolene then approaches Tracy and Fallon, explaining there’s only one spare ticket and they think Fallon should have it. Fallon’s uncomfortable with the idea, while Tracy’s clearly disappointed not to go. They confront Lilian about the decision being unfair and Fallon says she won’t go under these circumstances. Lilian then suggests they draw a name from a hat instead.

    13 min

  6. 6 DAYS AGO

    10/10/2025

    Amber and George have been enjoying some quality time together before the party in honour of George’s return. Amber can’t wait to see him back with his mates. As everyone starts to get things ready for the evening, George decides to go for a bike ride. Brad and Amber fill in time gaming. Amber wonders if she’s upset George but Brad reckons he’ll just be enjoying time out in the countryside after being stuck inside a cell. Meanwhile Ed finds George at Bartleby’s field. George admits to not feeling as good as he thought he would. He had to shut his mind down in prison so as not to miss the sights and smells of home. And his romantic reunion with Amber at Grange Farm didn’t happen. It wasn’t the same doing it outside the prison. Ed takes him to get a big bunch of flowers for Amber. He suggests if George works hard now, he’ll show his sisters how you can make a bad thing good. Amber wants to get changed. Emma assures her she looks lovely as she is but Amber wants to make a good impression on George’s friends. As Emma and Ed leave them to party Brad ramps up the music. Later it becomes clear that no-one’s coming. Amber’s furious on George’s behalf, but George reckons he’s not bothered. He’s got his two best friends here, what more does he need? He thanks Amber and Brad for keeping him going; he doesn’t know if he’d have survived without them. They share a group hug.

    13 min

  7. 9 OCT

    09/10/2025

    It’s the day of George’s release, and nervous Emma sets off with Amber to collect him. Amber’s excited for all the plans she has for them both for the next few weeks. Emma reminds her it might not all be roses. Not everyone feels as they do about George. Amber counters that George has done his time and should be allowed to have some fun. Emma concedes the point and they carry on chatting happily. Eddie can’t wait to have their boy back in the fold. There’s something really special about George. As they gather to welcome him home, Will feels a bit sorry for Susan and Neil. He resolves to send them a photo. Meanwhile George is upset to find there’s no sign of the clothes Amber sent him for his release. The officer apologises, but George will have to wear a prison issue discharge kit. George eventually rallies and looks forward to his journey home. He’s going to treat his mum to a fry up on the way, and stop off for flowers for Amber. They’ll share their first proper kiss when she greets him at the door. Finally George is out. He’s wrongfooted to see Amber despite the emotional reunion. He’s ashamed of his outift and let down that he can’t now give her the flowers. But he resets and assures them it’s a great surprise. There’s more joy as he arrives at Grange Farm to effusive hugs from Eddie, Clarrie and Will. His dad declares he’s missed him so much.

    13 min

  8. 8 OCT

    08/10/2025

    Chris shares news of how Martha’s doing at school with Susan and Neil. When Susan mentions the rat situation at church, Neil reckons Susan’s handling everything brilliantly. The last few months have been so tricky for the shop. Talk turns to George’s release tomorrow. Susan reckons it would mean a lot to Emma if Chris could show his face at the party on Friday, but Chris is adamant he won’t go. He’s happy for Emma that she’ll have George back, but he’ll never be family to him. Susan and Neil understand. Susan has the idea to offer deliveries while the shop’s closed. Neil’s not keen initially, but soon gets on board with it and helps her load up with essentials. While they’re at the church they share a quiet moment of contemplation. They feel thankful and count their blessings, admitting they’ll never stop loving George no matter what. Jolene admits to Chris and Fallon she feels relieved George is being released on time, having felt dreadful about getting him involved in their troubles. Fallon agrees it wasn’t fair to ask George for help; he made a brave choice. Chris can still only feel contempt. He hopes George has changed but he’s not holding his breath. Later Chris opens up to Fallon about his feelings towards Alice. There’s still the nagging worry that she might drink again. He admits when they were going through those times he questioned himself and knew that deep down Alice’s drinking was becoming a problem. He’ll never love anyone the way he loved Alice – but he can never be with her again.

    13 min
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Contemporary drama in a rural setting.

Information

  • Creator
    BBC Radio 4
  • Years Active
    2007 - 2025
  • Episodes
    29
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © (C) BBC 2025
  • Show Website
    The Archers
  • Provider

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