The Archers

BBC Radio 4

Contemporary drama in a rural setting.

  1. 1 day ago

    20/09/2026

    George and Eddie collect apples in the community orchard for cider-making. George reports that Amber is overdue and uncomfortable, but that he can’t wait for his cast to come off on Tuesday. Eddie is quiet and thoughtful and shares that he’s thinking about his dad, Joe, who would have been 105 years old. They reflect on his life and Eddie feels he doesn’t have the same legacy to pass on. George disagrees and says he’ll be able to talk about him to his own children in the orchard in the future. George tells his Grandpa that they’re thinking about calling the baby Joe – or Josephine. Ruth chats to Natasha as she pays for shopping at Grange Farm. Natasha, to Ruth’s puzzlement, mentions that Seren and Nova are excited for Pip and Stella’s wedding, as it will be the first one they’ve ever attended. Later Ruth asks Stella if the invitations had been clear, that the wedding is adults only. Stella says yes, it clearly invited Tom and Natasha. But Ruth suggests that the instructions weren’t explicit enough. Stella visits Natasha and starts with small talk about the botanical skin care before bringing up the invitation misunderstanding. Natasha is defensive – surely, as they’re relatives, the no children policy doesn’t apply to Seren and Nova. Besides, the girls are counting down the days and have special outfits. She adds that surely Rosie will be going – and won’t she want little ones to play with? Stumped for a reply, Stella promises to talk it through with Pip.

  2. 3 days ago

    18/09/2026

    Lily cautiously approaches Fallon at the Cruck Barn and asks if she should avoid Lower Loxley. She doesn’t want to make things awkward for Fallon. Fallon doesn’t need her to, and Lily stresses that she wasn’t having an affair with Harrison, no matter what Kenton thinks. Fallon doesn’t think they were, and doesn’t want Lily and Harrison to hide away on her account. They agree that they needn’t avoid each other, they will be civilised but not over-friendly. Anna and Usha are excitedly visiting The Laurels ahead of Carol’s proposed respite stay. Anna’s so impressed with Alan’s powers of persuasion and calls him a saint. Alan visits Carol, who is visibly weakened. She sleepily reveals that the nurses couldn’t get her up today and have tried to contact Anna. Alarmed, Alan messages Usha. Carol is very quiet and happy for Alan to just sit with her. She says she’s not frightened now, and keeps drifting off. She agrees to him saying some prayers as her breathing slows. Leaving The Laurels, Anna and Usha realise their silent phones have meant they’ve missed many calls and messages. Usha rushes Anna to the hospital where Alan is still saying prayers – he confirms that Carol has just slipped away. Anna can’t believe this when she seemed to be on the mend. She begs Alan to tell her how she died and he confirms it was peaceful, without apparent pain. Giving Anna some privacy, she holds Carol’s hand and, distraught, asks Carol why she couldn’t hang on for her to be with her at the end.

  3. 13 Sept

    13/09/2026

    Tony and Leonard can’t keep up with demand for their repair service and are thinking of restricting Jean Harvey’s items. Tony comments that the greenhouse at Bridge Farm is really allowing them to expand their offering. Anna arrives from the hospital and reports that Carol is alternating between being in a lot of pain, or away with the fairies on morphine. Perhaps however it’s a good sign that she is back to complaining about things. Anna wonders if her mum will ever be able to return to Glebe Cottage. Leonard and Tony offer to visit Carol to give Anna some respite and promise to give Carol encouraging stories about The Laurels. Lily is still stunned that Harrison told Fallon about them and is not ready to navigate the coming backlash. Harrison is very open and declares his feelings – for him, this could be a long-term relationship. Lily, more cautious, says she needs to think. At The Bull, Jolene enthuses about the new chef Mags, who also gets on well with Joy. Fallon has a quiet word with Harrison – he must tell Jolene about Lily, or she will. On the phone to Lily, he warns her that their relationship may not been under the radar for much longer. Lily backtracks on her earlier restraint and reassures Harrison that she’s not giving him the brush off. When Harrison warily tells Jolene about Lily, she hits the roof. She can’t believe she and Kenton have been so hospitable and gives Harrison five minutes to pack his bag and get out of her pub!

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Contemporary drama in a rural setting.

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