Dramas

BBC World Service
  • 4.3 (4)
  • DRAMA
Dramas

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 who fight to contain the disaster and those whose mistakes led Japan to catastrophe.

Episodes

  1. Coming soon: Purple Heart Warriors

    2 DAYS AGO

    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.

    5 min
  2. New drama coming

    19 NOV

    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 soon. Make sure you follow or subscribe, so you never miss an episode. And if you want to keep listening to Fukushima, which tells the story of when a tsunami hit the Japanese nuclear plant, it will still be available here too.

    1 min
  3. Fukushima: 7. Atonement

    25/06/2023

    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 Mori Fukushima 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

    27 min
  4. Fukushima: 6. Legacy

    18/06/2023

    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 Mori Fukushima 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

    27 min
  5. Fukushima: 5. Invisible enemy

    11/06/2023

    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 Garai Fukushima 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 Audio for this episode was updated on 4 October 2023.

    27 min
  6. Fukushima: 4. Evacuation

    04/06/2023

    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 Garai Fukushima 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 Audio for this episode was updated on 4 October 2023.

    27 min
  7. Fukushima: 3. Explosion

    28/05/2023

    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 Garai Fukushima 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

    27 min
  8. Fukushima: 2. Emergency

    21/05/2023

    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 Furuhata Fukushima 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 Audio for this episode was updated on 4 October 2023.

    27 min
  9. Fukushima: 1. Tsunami

    14/05/2023

    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 Furuhata Fukushima 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 Audio for this episode was updated on 4 October 2023.

    27 min

  10. 03/05/2023

    Introducing 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.

    3 min

  11. 25/04/2023

    Get ready for changes

    A new drama is coming soon.

    1 min
  • 11 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

4.3
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

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 who fight to contain the disaster and those whose mistakes led Japan to catastrophe.

Information

  • Creator
    BBC World Service
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2024
  • Episodes
    11
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © (C) BBC 2024
  • Show Website
    Dramas
  • 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

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