The Archers

BBC Radio 4

4.4 (96)
DRAMA
UPDATED DAILY

Contemporary drama in a rural setting.

21 HR AGO

26/11/2024

It’s action stations for Ruth, while the Grundys spot an opportunity.

13 min
1 DAY AGO

25/11/2024

After an uncomfortable night in the yurt, Jakob wonders why a more rested Kate is being so helpful, as she sets about helping Faith and Chuck find somewhere to stay. Faith and Chuck still can’t get any answer from the booking company. Grey Gables and Ambridge Hall are all booked up or out of action, but there’s somewhere available in Felpersham. Faith is disappointed, revealing to Kate that Ambridge has special memories for her. Faith grew up here before emigrating to Phoenix, Arizona, as a ten year old. The trip back with Chuck was for their 40th anniversary, although Chuck wanted a beach! Sympathetic Kate promises to let the couple stay. Jakob complains to Jazzer and explains what’s happened, and they talk about scams. Jazzer mentions a room going spare for him at Jim’s, and worries Jakob with the suggestion that more people could arrive on Jakob’s doorstep after he’s got rid of Faith and Chuck. Jakob realises he needs to do something – but what? In the Bull, Faith and Chuck meet Jazzer, and Chuck ponders ditching their holiday. But Faith is going nowhere. At Brookfield, another stranger arrives – Ellie, along with her two teenage daughters – and gets short shrift from Ruth as she asks to check in. Ellie has also booked via BorsetshireBreaks, and Jakob realises that this is another victim of a fake listing. Ruth shares his worry about more people turning up. Jakob has been trying all day to get to the bottom of his rogue listing. They need to take matters into their own hands.

13 min
2 DAYS AGO

24/11/2024

American couple Faith and Chuck attempt to check into their holiday cottage in Ambridge. Faith finds it all very quaint, especially the key under a flowerpot, and they make themselves at home. But it seems different from the online pictures, and tired Chuck is less taken. Meanwhile, Kate and Jakob can’t agree on where to holiday in the new year – she fancies warmth, he talks up Finland in February. They’re stopped in their tracks as Jakob spots movement inside his cottage. He wants to call the police, but Kate goes to investigate. Faith and Chuck are adamant they have booked to stay in the Rookery. Jakob insists he has never heard of the website ‘BorsetshireBreaks.com’, so Chuck goes to contact the company. Chuck wonders whether the owners have tricked them and plan to take them hostage. Meanwhile as Chuck can’t get through to anyone, Faith sends an email, asking someone to call her asap. Chris, who owns the cottage, knows nothing about any listing. Jakob and Kate spot that the photos online don’t resemble the real cottage. Jakob’s simple view is that the couple can’t stay there, but Kate feels compelled to help. After proper introductions, Kate invites them to stay the night, leaving Jakob stunned to find himself sharing a yurt with Kate. Kate plans to ring round places tomorrow for the couple. As suspicious Jakob goes to grab his pyjamas and lock away any valuables, Kate looks forward to a night under canvas and assures them it will all be sorted out tomorrow.

13 min
4 DAYS AGO

22/11/2024

Justin has scathing feedback for Brad on his promotional video about beavers, and advises some changes. But he’s horrified to learn that Brad has already sent the video to Innes, Justin’s client, and tells Brad he won’t be getting any more work. But later Justin eats his words, having heard back from his friend. Innes was delighted with the video, so Justin buys Brad a drink and wants him to do another job, for Borchester Land. Brad worries about missing more Uni, but Justin guilt trips him by talking about protecting George’s business for him. At the Bull, Kenton and Jolene speculate on Fallon’s business plans, before seeing Joy who’s meeting Mick for dinner. Keen to plant a seed in Joy’s head, and to get Mick’s van off of their car park, they talk warmly about what a catch Mick is, and drop hints about spending more time together and perhaps living together. Mick admits to Joy his van is not ideal, with pub noise and general discomfort. Concerned Joy invites Mick to move in with her. He’s grateful but declines, pointing out that she’d just be taking pity on him. He’ll get the van fixed and then they should discuss it again, on equal terms. Joy admires him for this, as they declare their love for each other. Jolene and Kenton notice how serious they seem over in the alcove, and are delighted when Mick mentions Joy’s offer - but quickly disappointed when Mick tells them he turned Joy down. But after an awkward moment, Mick’s assured he can stay in his van in the car park.

13 min
5 DAYS AGO

21/11/2024

Leonard is up early in the workshop and David finds him fixing up an old rusty bike. The two discuss the massive farmers’ protest about inheritance tax outside Parliament. Leonard used to be quite the long-distance cyclist and Ruth and David marvel as he zips around the yard on the restored bike. Josh says he can have it, so Leonard takes it for a spin to the shops. Kenton and Jolene are shocked awake by the noise of Mick working on his van in the pub car park, trying to bring it back to life. Kenton’s roped in to helping, and he complains about how much Brad’s doing for George. They discuss Kirsty’s house sale – Joy’s worried about Helen, Henry and Jack. Mick’s introduced to Leonard, on his bike, and Mick offers him some cycling gear care of Joy. Meanwhile, Jolene comes out to remind oil-covered Kenton that they need to open the pub. As a thank you for the bike, Leonard takes David and Josh for a drink, where Mick has stored dismantled parts from his van and jokes that they’re never getting rid of him. But Mick has been singing their praises to his mate Errol, who may book the Bull for his birthday bash. Kenton admits to David that it looks like Mick’s van is never going to run again, so Jolene is aghast at the idea of it staying outside the pub. Leonard has enjoyed a cycle but struggles now with hills. Kenton talks about getting an electric bike, but Leonard dismisses the idea. David just asks Leonard to be careful.

13 min
6 DAYS AGO

20/11/2024

Azra does some shopping at Bridge Farm and chats with Helen about the Christmas event at Loxley Barrett school, and how involved Ian has been on the PTA. Azra also wonders how long that camper van is going to be on Joy’s drive. They joke about Hilda the cat faking her own death. Khalil’s scheme to put Azra off cats has worked, she admits, and she’s glad to return the cat to Tony. Khalil wants chickens and Tony warns Azra of the considerations. As Azra congratulates Tony on Henry’s venture with goats, Azra notices a strange smell. Later, Tony realises it’s from Henry’s new Buck. Helen hopes it will only be for a while, while the goat is rutting – they hope it won’t drive people away. Mick’s feeling frustrated about life and work, and has a heart to heart with Jolene – he admits he’s always had itching feet, but being with Joy has changed things. Jolene reminisces about her singing days, and opens up about her own life changes. When Mick comes to Jolene and Kenton’s aid to help take some attractive photos of the pub for a feature, they are so grateful. In fact, when they learn about Mick’s issue with his motorhome, Kenton invites Mick to park it in the Bull car park. Close by, Mick can be an unofficial bouncer at the Pub! It’s just temporary though, points out concerned Jolene.

13 min
19 NOV

19/11/2024

Chelsea’s ill, so Emma takes round a home-made remedy from Clarrie. Emma struggles to get much info from Brad about how George is doing in prison - she’s so grateful to Brad for keeping in touch with George. As Brad gets ready to do a video job for George’s business, Tracy’s worried about Brad being distracted from his studies at a crucial time. Emma implores Brad to keep in touch with George – Brad’s her only connection to her son. Kirsty and Brad work together to make his promotional video at the rewilding site, and she even offers to help anxious Brad with the edit, and he’s so grateful. But later as Kirsty treats Brad to a drink at the Bull, Tracy’s concern increases, as Brad has now spent a whole day away from his studies – and the video still isn’t finished. Fallon is busy in Ruth’s kitchen getting everything ready for the big event she’s catering at Brookfield. It’s not ideal for busy Ruth, who gives Fallon strict instructions from Jill, who she has managed to make disappear with Leonard for the day. With helper Chelsea off sick, Fallon’s up against it. But Emma surprises Fallon by arriving to help. Fallon accepts the offer and Ruth thinks Emma’s a lifesaver. After a successful event, everyone’s shattered, and over a cup of tea Ruth is brutally honest with Fallon – Fallon needs to get herself properly set up before they can do business again. Fallon understand and agrees – she’s determined to get her business on to a proper footing.

13 min
18 NOV

18/11/2024

Helen gives Azra a book and Azra explains that Hilda the cat is now a house guest. Azra works out that Hilda is a terror and Khalil has tricked her. Helen points out that Henry may have had some influence over Khalil. Eddie had also been round trying to sell Azra a turkey for Christmas and for a moment she wondered if it was someone suspicious, ‘til Helen explains who he is. The cat disappears and later Azra comes across Jakob at the road side. A cat jumped out in front of his car and is now dead. Azra thinks it’s Hilda. They go to the vet surgery to check its microchip. No ID can be found, so it’s not Hilda, as she’s chipped. They’ll do their best to find the owner. Stressed Jakob admits he needs a holiday! Kirsty needs an answer from Helen on whether she’s going to buy her house. But Helen says no, she can’t make the sums work. At least she and the boys will have some time to sort something out as the house goes on to the open market. Joy’s sad she’ll lose Helen as a neighbour and Mick reports that he’s been ordered by Oliver to move his campervan. Joy lets him park it on her drive – the only problem is that he can’t move it – the gear box has seized up. Helen gets Tony to help with his tractor, but it causes damage to Helen’s (Kirsty’s) front lawn. Kirsty’s horrified – she’ll have to put the estate agent off taking photos, and she wants the house sold asap!

13 min

See All (30)

4.4

out of 5

96 Ratings

Essential drama, gritty and suspenseful

20/11/2023

krak_berkeley

Forget “the Wire” or “the Sopranos”, “the Archers” is the peak of suspenseful drama and complex, powerful storylines that keep you on the edge of your seat. The Archers is essential listening for me, an expat who grew up in the English countryside, to feel back home for 10 minutes a day (except Saturday… which really is the only downside to the show). Sure there might be no nice characters, but even the worst of them (Brian, I’m looking at *you*) have their redeeming moments where you laugh or cry along with them, and there’s always a cliffhanger to keep you tuning in the next day. Bravo, BBC, and long may Ambridge thrive.
No nice characters at all?

24/01/2023

McStern

Hi I love the Archers and have been listening for nearly 30 years on and off. However, as my (long suffering) wife pointed out: there are no nice people in A bridge. And she is right. There is not one that is really likeable. Is this a European view? Or would the English agree? One wonders...
Eternal....hopefully.

27/07/2020

wewewehh

I just love every bit of it. Connects me to the UK while living on the continent on a daily bases. Please do never quit the BBC from Europe!
Maintaining a solid link to home.

16/03/2020

Paul Law 1

Having left the UK for Europe, 20 years ago, listening daily to the Archers, maintains my link to home, and reminds me of the many good things l left behind. For all of my adult life, the Archers, have always been there, and l hope will always be.

Contemporary drama in a rural setting.

Creator

BBC Radio 4
Years Active

2007 - 2024
Episodes

30
Rating

Clean
Show Website

The Archers
Provider

BBC Studios Distribution Limited has identified itself as a trader for this podcast and confirmed that this product or service complies with European Union law. Address 1 Television Centre 101 Wood Lane London London W12 7FA United Kingdom Phone Number +44 7590176301 Email greg.styger@bbc.com