Dramas

Latest Episodes:

Aisha’s Horizon by Idi Nasiru Oct 31, 2026

Show notes

After Aisha's family is killed, she is pulled from the river by her uncle. Now in a refugee camp, she finds herself facing a marriage to a man she does not love. Instead, she decides to embark on a dangerous journey with the man she does.

Aisha's Horizon is the story of that journey, from northern Nigeria, across the desert and towards Europe. Written by Idi Nasiru, it won the English as a Second Language category in the 2026 BBC World Service International Audio Drama Competition.

Aisha: Doyin Ajiboye Hamza: Emeka Sesay Musa: Yinka Awoni Safiya: Faith Alabi Mariama: Clara Emanuel Tanko: Delroy Brown Malik: Abdelaziz Sanusi Woman in camp/Mother: Lorraine Amako Woman in camp/Nigerien woman: Aimee Amaka Dela/Driver/Raider: Azuka Ononye Border guard/Officer: Amro Mahmoud Sailor/Guard/Handler: Adam Ali

Sound design: Rhys Morris Production co-ordinators: Lindsay Rees and Eleri McAuliffe Executive producers: John Norton and Emma Harding Director: Fay Lomas

A BBC Audio Drama Wales production

Here, on a High Hill by Finegan Kruckemeyer Oct 31, 2026

Show notes

In a graveyard on a hilltop in South-West Ireland, four teenagers gather, pass the time and reflect on life. Something terrible has happened.

Here, on A High Hill is a moving, surprising, poetic drama for voices. Written by Finegan Kruckemeyer, it won the English as a First Language category in the 2026 BBC World Service International Audio Drama Competition.

Cast: Orla Scally, Zakaria Meknas, Máiréad Tyers and Oskar Smith.

Production co-ordinator: Eleri McAuliffe Sound design: Rhys Morris Producer: John Norton

A BBC Audio Wales production

Trailer Oct 29, 2026

Show notes

Coming soon: The winners of this year's BBC World Service International Audio Drama Competition, in partnership with the British Council.

Bonus: The making of Purple Heart Warriors Jan 06, 2025

Show notes

Behind the scenes. Find out how our drama, inspired by real events, was born and learn about the creative journey. How did the idea come about and what were the challenges and personal stories which shaped the production? Also, learn how the music and sound design were crafted.

Purple Heart Warriors contains dramatised battle scenes and out-dated racial language.

Purple Heart Warriors: 6. ‘Go for broke’ Dec 30, 2024

Show notes

As the 442nd take on the Nazi enemy, they shout their unit’s anthem: “Go for broke”. Ken finally learns why he has been transported back into his grandfather’s life as a soldier. Then he finds himself travelling forwards in time to present-day Los Angeles.

This series is inspired by real events and contains dramatised battle scenes and out-dated racial language.

Cast:

Narrator: Will Sharpe Ken: Akie Kotabe Lieutenant/Bus guard/Texan soldier/Reporter: Freddy Elletson Grandpa Allan/ Mr Yamada: Clyde Kusatsu Emily: Samantha Dakin Little Ken: Hudson Roberts. Mrs Tanaka/Baachan/Shirley/Li: Tamlyn Tomita Nui Louie/Mr Okimura: Aaron Ikeda Barry/Captain Kim/Private Sasaki/Radio man: Derek Mio Shorty: Raiko Gohara Ohta/Captain Minori: Matt McCooey Drill Sergeant/General Dahlquist: Martin McDougal Colonel Pence/Earl Finch/Col Miller: Colin Stinton Sonny: Kurt Kanazawa Boxer/Crooner/Pokey: Conrad Lihilihi

Written by Iris Yamashita Sound design: Richard Gould at Skywalker Sound Recording and mixing: Leon Chambers Original music: Josh Sneesby Consultant: L Stuart Hirai Dramaturg: James Yeatman Broadcast assistant: Teresa Milewski Production co-ordinator: Kate Brook Associate producers: Tim Bell & Rosa Crompton Director: Jessica Dromgoole Producer: Catherine Bailey. Based on an idea by Simon Pitts

A Catherine Bailey production for the BBC World Service

Audio for this episode was updated on 24th January 2025.

Purple Heart Warriors: 5. The lost battalion Dec 23, 2024

Show notes

With half of the men lost, the most dangerous battle of all awaits. The battalion is ordered to rescue Texan soldiers surrounded by German artillery. Can they save the so-called ‘Lost Battalion’?

This series is inspired by real events and contains dramatised battle scenes and out-dated racial language.

Cast:

A Catherine Bailey production for the BBC World Service

Purple Heart Warriors: 4. Screaming Mimis Dec 16, 2024

Show notes

Ken and his Japanese American comrades experience the horror of World War Two combat in Italy. Hardening in battle, they are readied for a push into France. Sheltering in foxholes as rockets rain down, Ken understands more about the stories his grandfather used to tell him as a child.

This series is inspired by real events and contains dramatised battle scenes and out-dated racial language.

Cast:

A Catherine Bailey production for the BBC World Service

Purple Heart Warriors: 3. True Americans Dec 09, 2024

Show notes

The battalion heads for Europe. The soldiers spend weeks at sea in bunks stacked five high, and none of them believes that Ken is from the future.

Meanwhile, Ken remembers his childhood with his grandfather – a man whose uniform he is now wearing.

This series is inspired by real events and contains dramatised battle scenes and out-dated racial language.

Cast:

A Catherine Bailey production for the BBC World Service

Purple Heart Warriors: 2. ‘Buddhaheads’ Dec 09, 2024

Show notes

Ken goes to a Japanese American internment camp and is shocked at what he sees. Tensions between recruits from Hawaii and the mainlanders, so-called “Buddhaheads” and “Kotonks”, are running high. Then some news – the soldiers are sent to fight in Europe.

This series is inspired by real events and contains dramatised battle scenes and out-dated racial language.

Cast:

A Catherine Bailey production for the BBC World Service

Purple Heart Warriors: 1. Memorial day Dec 09, 2024

Show notes

In Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, a young American finds himself mysteriously transported back in time and training for combat in World War Two. He’s in Camp Shelby, Mississippi, in 1943 and can’t understand why he’s there. Has a bachi, or a curse, been placed on him?

This series is inspired by real events and contains dramatised battle scenes and out-dated racial language.

Cast:

A Catherine Bailey production for the BBC World Service

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