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.
Episodes
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.
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 So...
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 b...
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 ...
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 Adr...
“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 Yevtush...
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
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 Pitt...
Time-travelling drama about the Japanese American legends of US military history - inspired by real events. The story of the 442nd Regiment fighting the Nazi German army in World War Two. An original six-part drama, released from 9th December 2024. Written by Oscar nominee Iris Yamashita and narrated by Will Sharpe.
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...
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 sol...
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:
Narrator: Will Sharpe Ken: Akie Kotabe Lieutenant/Bus guard/Texan soldier/Re...
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:
Narrator: Will Sharpe Ken: Akie Kotabe...
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:
Narrator: Will Sharpe Ken: Akie Kotabe Lieutenant/Bus guard/Texan soldier/Reporter: Freddy Elletson Grandpa Allan/ Mr Yamada: Cl...
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 s...
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.
Popular Podcasts
Welcome to Bookmarked by Reese’s Book Club — the podcast where great stories, bold women, and irresistible conversations collide! Hosted by award-winning journalist Danielle Robay, each week new episodes balance thoughtful literary insight with the fervor of buzzy book trends, pop culture and more. Bookmarked brings together celebrities, tastemakers, influencers and authors from Reese's Book Club and beyond to share stories that transcend the page. Pull up a chair. You’re not just listening — you’re part of the conversation.
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.
Joyce Sapp, 76; Bryan Herrera, 16; and Laurance Webb, 32—three Miami residents whose lives were stolen in brutal, unsolved homicides. Cold Case Files: Miami follows award‑winning radio host and City of Miami Police reserve officer Enrique Santos as he partners with the department’s Cold Case Homicide Unit, determined family members, and the advocates who spend their lives fighting for justice for the victims who can no longer fight for themselves.