All About The Archers

An emergency episode. Following the news that The Archers will no longer have its planned new studio in Birmingham, Philippa is joined by three of the cast: Susie Riddell, who plays Tracy Horrobin, Annabelle Dowler, who plays Kirsty Miller, and Andrew Wincott, who plays Adam Macy.They explain what has happened, why recording the programme away from its production team would change The Archers as we know it, and what the decision could mean for Birmingham and the West Midlands. Most importantly, they tell us what we as listeners can do to help.Watch this episodeThis episode is also available as video on Apple Podcasts: Watch All About The Archers on Apple PodcastsIn this episodeWhat has happened, and why the cast found out by emailWhy the actors and the production team need to be in the same buildingHow the studio works, from the dead room to the sofa that turns into a bedMaking six episodes a week, 52 weeks a yearThe wider impact on jobs, training and young talent in the MidlandsWhat the studio could be used for on the days The Archers isn’t recordingWhy the cast believe the move would be a false economyWould EastEnders ever be moved to Liverpool?The solidarity of the cast, past and presentWhat listeners can do to helpAnd finally, Adam, Tracy and Kirsty together at lastHow you can helpThe cast are asking listeners to make their feelings known. Write to your MP, especially if you live in the Midlands. Write to the BBC. And share your support on social media. As Andrew says, the battle is not lost.Topics covered: Tracy Horrobin, Kirsty Miller, Adam Macy, Debbie Aldridge Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Philippa, Katie and Quentin are joined by comedian, Archers superfan and host of The Archers Live at 75, Angela Barnes.Angela tells us what it is really like touring the country in a minibus she has christened the Archers Omnibus, including the Sunday morning when Charles Collingwood asked the driver to put Radio 4 on. She also explains why this is the first job she has ever had without imposter syndrome & the only one where she cried when she got it and who would win The Traitors.Watch this episodeThis episode is also available as video on Apple Podcasts: Watch All About The Archers on Apple PodcastsIn this episodeFlower or Produce: does Angela have a favourite cast?The two "tester" jokes that tell her how the night is going to goWhy she cut most of the tech from the show, and what audiences have made of the QR codeVanessa's sound effects, the gasps from the audience, and whether seeing behind the scenes spoils the magicTour gossip, with Ben Norris firmly under the Archers OmnibusAngela's "audition" for Jeremy Howe, and the backstory Charlotte Martin has invented for her as a long-lost HorrobinHer Star and Twit of the WeekThe Ambridge neighbours she would choose, and the one who would send her straight to DarringtonWho she would take to the Edinburgh Fringe, and who is the funniest character in AmbridgeHow she got hooked on The Archers as a student in the mid 90sAn Ambridge Grand Prix, what colour The Archers is, and who she would want in a Cold War bunkerWho would make the best Traitor in AmbridgeAnd, most importantly, her biscuit of choiceComing upAngela is back with us in two weeks to answer your questions from the Facebook group.Topics covered: Brian Aldridge, Adam, Xander, Joy Horville, Tracy Horrobin, Jazzer, Helen Archer, Susan Carter, Bert Horrobin, Jakob, Leonard, Ben Archer, Lilian, Lynda Snell, Robert Snell, Sabrina Thwaite, Mandy Beesborough, Amber. The Traitors. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Listen and watch on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/all-about-the-archers/id1706526260Katie and Philippa review events in Ambridge from Sunday 27 to Tuesday 29 September. And we're worried, because Emma has just said life's good. Tornado, flood or loose elephant in the dog field: something is coming.Philippa has done her research (badly) and brings three baby name suggestions for George and Amber, all better than theirs, obviously. Katie wonders how the name will sound with Grundy on the end, and hopes Joe survives as a middle name.We also talk about Amber's first days as a mum. We thought the writing was beautifully done, from the pain and exhaustion to that shopping list left on the side, and we're sending her solidarity. Susan steps in brilliantly, and gets a gossip in about Harrison and Lily while she's at it.Plus: team Martyn or team Brian, Lynda's dog field plans, Martyn telling Ed to "talk to the Archers", where the Grundys are all going to live, and Brian and Adam. Brian is still not reading the room.Philippa also thanks Julie and Morgan at the BBC office for letting her join their event, where she read the parts of Adam and Lilian, sound effects and all.We finish with Star of the Week, Twit of the Week and our predictions. Katie's are very wise. Philippa's are not.We're back next Tuesday. Share your baby name ideas for George and Amber in the Facebook group.Topics covered: Amber Gordon | George Grundy | Emma Grundy | Ed Grundy | Eddie Grundy | Clarrie Grundy | Will Grundy | Poppy Grundy | Joe Grundy | Susan Carter | Harrison Burns | Lily Pargetter | Brian Aldridge | Adam Macy | Ian Craig | Xander Macy | Lynda Snell | Martyn Gibson | Oliver Sterling | Lilian Bellamy | The Archers September 2026 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Quentin is away this week, so it's just Katie and Philippa reviewing events in Ambridge from Sunday 20 to Tuesday 22 September. And Katie has a lot to say.We start with the wedding. Pip and Stella were clear about whose names went on the invites, so how have Seren and Nova ended up on the guest list? Katie, veteran of a child-free wedding, is not impressed. We also wonder just how bejewelled the twins' dresses will be.Then there's Ruth's visit to Anna, and a shepherd's pie we're fairly sure belonged to Leonard. Is Ruth being kind, or does she need to read the room? The Facebook group is split, and so are we. We also give Alan some well-deserved praise for being a real friend to Anna this week.Plus: Lynda and Robert go house hunting, what Bridge Farm Botanicals will actually have to do with Bridge Farm, Brad's forensic knowledge of the bus timetable and his first driving lesson with Jazzer, George and Eddie in the community (and Grundy) orchard, and whether Amber is really on board with the name Josephine.We finish with Star of the Week, Twit of the Week and our predictions.Listening on Apple Podcasts but don't want the video? Tap "Turn video off" under the episode to hear the audio only. Or press the side button to lock your phone, and the audio will keep playing. Listen and watch on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/all-about-the-archers/id1706526260Coming this weekend: part two of our interview with Charlotte Martin, who plays Susan, answering your questions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Philippa sits down with Dr Charlotte Martin, who plays Susan Carter in The Archers, for the first of two episodes — for a conversation about one of Ambridge's most beloved and most underestimated characters.Charlotte talks about how Susan has changed almost imperceptibly over the decades — from naive young girl to gossip to, increasingly, the person people come to for genuinely good advice. She reflects on the solid foundation of Susan and Neil's marriage, Susan's complicated relationship with social aspiration and what Jennifer Aldridge represented to her, and why the moment Alice and Chris got together felt like Susan finally arriving.They discuss the George storyline in depth — the awful dilemma of reporting your own grandson, the echoes of the Clive situation, and why Charlotte believes George has always had a good core and is now finally finding his way. There is a warm and considered defence of George that may well change how you hear him.Bert gets his own section. Charlotte reveals she was in awe of the actor who plays him because of The Detectorists, explains why Tracy has always borne the brunt of his care and what that says about their different childhoods, and confirms they have had enormous fun recording those scenes including the walker coming up to the microphone.Plus: Keira and the audition that made Charlotte's mind up immediately, what Susan's friendship with Jolene could look like and why it should happen, the case for Susan getting her radio show back with an agony aunt slot, the 75th anniversary tour and what it has been like playing to packed houses of genuine fans, and the biscuit question.Part two, with listener questions from the Facebook group, follows in two weeks.Topics covered: Susan Carter | Neil Carter | George Grundy | Amber | Keira | Bert Horrobin | Tracy | Jennifer Aldridge | Alice Carter | Jolene Archer | 75th anniversary tour | Angela Barnes | The Archers 2026 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Philippa and Katie cover the week in Ambridge — Sunday 21st to Tuesday 23rd June — and it's a big one for new voices and old grudges.Keira finally speaks for the first time, and fits straight into the Aldridge/Pritchard family dynamic. George appears to have had a complete personality transplant — is "nice George" here to stay, or is something brewing? Anne-Marie's hovering is reaching new levels of intensity. Ruth gets roped in as mediator between Adam and Brian, with predictably chaotic results. And Brian wants Kate to toast the dissolution of the partnership — she is having absolutely none of it.Plus: Adam's terrifying lack of pension planning, the countdown to the Borchester show, predictions for the mystery celebrity guest, and a big thank you and good luck to Katie ahead of her wedding in two weeks.Topics covered: Keira | George Grundy | Anne-Marie | Brian Aldridge | Adam Macy | Kate Aldridge | Ruth Archer | Borchester show | Lillian Bellamy | Tony Archer | The Archers June 2026You can BUY US A COFFEE here: buymeacoffee.com/allaboutthearchersYou can buy our MERCH here: https://www.redbubble.com/people/aboutthearchers/shopDo join our FACEBOOK Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1127587031446013/  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Philippa, Katie and Quentin are back for the week in Ambridge — Sunday 14th to Tuesday 16th June — and it has been a dramatic one.A savage dog attack on Brookfield's sheep leaves 15 dead and more injured, David losing it at Brian over warning signs, and the friendship between the two men looking badly damaged. Meanwhile Adam manipulates George into revealing more about the night of the accident — but what is he planning to do with that information? Could he push George into going to the police himself? And would Brian go further than anyone expects to protect Ruairi?Also this week: Kate has a stunning week — handling Brian, supporting Kirsty and knocking heads together with real Jenny-esque authority. Brian gets a double ouch from both Oliver and David. George and Amber get the Grundy baby cart out. Ian double-books the quiz. And all three hosts independently land on the same Star of the Week, which has never happened before.Plus Star of the Week, Twit of the Week, predictions — and Quentin has a foreboding feeling about Jim Lloyd.Topics covered: Dog attack | Brookfield sheep | Brian Aldridge | Adam Macy | George Grundy | Kate Aldridge | Kirsty Miller | Ian Thornton | Jim Lloyd | Amber | Home Farm | The Archers June 2025ou can BUY US A COFFEE here: buymeacoffee.com/allaboutthearchersYou can buy our MERCH here: https://www.redbubble.com/people/aboutthearchers/shopDo join our FACEBOOK Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1127587031446013/  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Philippa sits down with Andrew Wincott, who plays Adam Macy in The Archers, for a deep dive into one of the most gripping storylines the show has had in years. Recorded on 2 June 2025 — so buckle up, more may have happened since.They discuss: why Andrew saw this succession story coming two decades ago; whether Adam is a principled farmer or a series of spectacular failures; what it was like to record the extraordinary four-person partnership meeting episode; Brian's King Lear qualities; the bombshell "you are not my children" moment; how much Adam really wants this for Xander; and whether Ian's advice has made things better or worse.Plus — Adam's ideal biscuit. It's darker than you think.Part two, with listener questions from the Facebook group, follows in two weeks.Topics covered: Adam Macy | Brian Aldridge | Home Farm succession | Debbie Aldridge | Partnership meeting episode | Jennifer's legacy | Sustainable farming | The Archers 2025Contact the team: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.