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Dramas — Arts
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.

Copyright: © (C) BBC 2023

Latest Episodes:

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:

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

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:

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

Fukushima: 7. Atonement Jun 25, 2023

Show notes

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

Fukushima: 6. Legacy Jun 18, 2023

Show notes

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

Fukushima: 5. Invisible enemy Jun 11, 2023

Show notes

“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.

Fukushima: 4. Evacuation Jun 04, 2023

Show notes

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.

Fukushima: 3. Explosion May 28, 2023

Show notes

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

Fukushima: 2. Emergency May 21, 2023

Show notes

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.

Fukushima: 1. Tsunami May 14, 2023

Show notes

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.

Trailer: Fukushima May 03, 2023

Show notes

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.

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