Down the Line: a Secret Army podcast Secret Army pod

AJ interviews actor and writer Christopher Douglas who played downed South African airman Noel Uys in the Series 1 episode Identity in Doubt. Christopher is now best known for playing Ed Reardon in radio's Ed Reardon's week but was happy to cast his mind back to 1977, his co-stars, director Vik Ritelis, and his time in the mud! 
If you enjoyed this episode please donate to Christopher's chosen charity: Blood Cancer UK: https://bloodcancer.org.uk/ You can also donate by phone on: 0808 1695155
Next TIme: A Question of Loyalty

When a lock keeper is killed and Jacques is injured, Natalie's fate looks uncertain as she is taken hostage by an impetuous evader whose identity is in doubt...
AJ and Andy critique 'the one with the mud' and find a lot more to discuss and explore than this episode's memorable denouement. There is high praise for Juliet Hammond-Hill's performance as Natalie as the character takes centre-stage for the first time, and appreciation of the sequence in which Monique is attacked as a collaborator in the Candide, a troubling rehearsal of events later in the series. 
The episode's protagonist, young South African airmen Noel Uys, played by Christopher Douglas, also comes under the spotlight. In a special episode, in two week's time, you will be able to hear AJ's exclusive interview with Christopher to find out what he remembers about his time on Secret Army.
As well as focusing on Viktors Ritelis's direction and Raymond London's design, the episode's distinctive soundscape is discussed. And thanks to one of our wonderful listeners we can also reveal the episode's principal windmill and mudflats locations, so you too can lose your shoes and roll around waist-deep in mud should the fancy take you. 
Thank you for your continued support of Down the Line and don't forget that we'd love to hear your thoughts on each episode either on Twitter (@secretarmypod) or email (secretarmypod@gmail.com), or as a voice-note, also by email (ee will be recording our episode about 'Bait' next if you want to contribute).
Edmund Pegge's excellent autobiography, referenced in this episode, is called Forever Horatio and is available on Amazon.
Next Time (20 April): Interview with Christopher Douglas (Noel Uys)

In today's mid-month bonus edition AJ interviews Bridget Bree who has lived in Belgium since 2017. Bridget is currently renting 28 Grand Place, the location used as the exterior of the Candide in the second and third series of Secret Army. Bridget and the '316 community' (https://www.316.be) are renting the building as a space for an art exhibition until the summer. Bridget is a fan of the series so is very keen for people to take this rare opportunity (it has been closed for some time) to visit the Candide and have a look around inside. Join AJ as they find out more about Bridget's work and how the interior compares to the Restaurant Candide we know and love from the series. 
Next Time: Identity in Doubt

There is trouble in Paris and Lisa is about to get in very deep water in nearby Senlis. But when her uncle Gaston finds himself interrogated by Kessler himself it is set to be a dark day for Lifeline. 
As they review Too Near Home, AJ and Andy discuss its writer, master of suspense and spy storytelling - Robert Barr, the reliably distinctive direction of Viktors Ritelis and, thanks to the appearance of Souad Faress as Maria, the hidden history of the people of colour who played key roles as airmen and resistance workers during the war. 
They also find themselves critiquing plot contrivances at the Pontoise Prison and Lifeline communication failures, and due to Jeffrey Holland's presence even singing the theme to 'Oh Dr Beeching'! 
Get your handkerchiefs at the ready because it's time for the once seen, never forgotten, Too Near Home. 
We also hear from Jem Fell (@jemfellpoetry) who remembers the power of Secret Army's title sequence. 
Next Time: A special mid-month episode relating to the Candide. 
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The books that AJ mentions in the episode are:
- Under Fire: Black Britain in Wartime 1939-45 by Stephen Bourne
- The Story of Britain's Black Airmen by K. N. Chimbiri
You may also want to check out:
- Spy Princess: the Life of Noor Inayat Khan by Shrabani Basu

This month AJ and Andy review one of their favourite episodes from the first series: Guilt. Naturally, they love the more active role it affords Angela Richards' Monique as she follows Curtis into France to determine if he is a double agent. 
Guilt is of course a continuation of the story begun in Lost Sheep, dealing with the aftermath of the betrayal of Flt. Lt. Peter Romsey and the death of resistance agent Victor. And like the preceding episode, Lost Sheep, it is masterfully penned by N J Crisp and directed by Paul Annett.
Monique aside, AJ and Andy also discuss: 'shelf-cam'; Curtis's high-risk strategy in the narrative (and how it fits with his white male heteronormative fantasy); whether he and Monique should have murdered Dorothy Neville as well as Hugh; and what this episode says about women both in front of and behind the camera.
All this and Ryan enjoys three different 'mission hats'!
Next Time: Too Near Home

We are just too good to you! In this, another special extra edition of Down the Line, AJ catches up with Christopher Guard who played Peter Romsey in Lost Sheep. Chris shares his memories of working on Secret Army and also reflects more broadly on his time working in television in the 70s. He also shares details of his entertaining autobiography: And Then It Was Now, which is available in print and as an ebook: https://amzn.eu/d/3RiEzAb
If you enjoyed this interview please consider donating a sum to Christopher's chosen charity: the World Wildlife Fund: https://www.worldwildlife.org/ 
Many thanks for listening. We will be back in your ears again on February 3rd when we review the sequel to Lost Sheep: Guilt.