Down the Line: a Secret Army podcast

AJ and Andy reach the gripping finale for Series 2: Day of Wrath. Although they are certain it was written by John Brason, the director credit is somewhat shrouded in mystery. As well as addressing this matter, they consider the change in the relationship between Brandt and Kessler, the suddenness of Michael Culver's departure from the series, and that memorably controversial scene between Albert and Monique.  Elsewhere, we learn about Jean de Selys Longchamps on whom Andre De Beers is based and ask the question who actually invented television? Is Kessler right that it was a German invention? Also, can Albert really tell that Gestapo HQ is being attacked just by listening from inside the Candide? A book about Longchamps is now available: https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-Belgian-RAF-Pilot-Who-Defied-the-Gestapo-Hardback/p/51865 and Andy's Brussels locations guide from 20 years ago(!) can still be accessed here: http://www.survivorstvseries.com/Brussels.htm  If you would like to contact us then please email us on, or send a voicenote to: [email protected] or send us a message on Bluesky: AJ is on secretarmypod.bsky.social while Andy can be found at andypodding.bsky.social. AJ is also on Twitter at @secretarmypod. We'd love to hear from you! Thank you, as ever, for listening and for coming down the line with us. Andy & AJ xxx Next Time: Series 2 in Review

After the death of Francois, Natalie is determined that Max is brought to justice, but Albert wants to be certain before he takes action. Meanwhile, a German flying ace and a plane on a secret list cause complications for Lifeline.  AJ and Andy find much to enjoy in this the penultimate episode of Series 2. As well as their appreciation for the Monique and Brandt storyline and Natalie's frustration at Max's continued presence at the Candide, they discuss Kessler's new bathroom, the amount of reported action in this instalment, and the question of who is the Prisoner of War of the title. Elsewhere Juliette Hammond (Natalie) reflects on a scene in this episode which brought her closer to Bernard Hepton's Albert; Chris Richards shares excellent technical information on the Messerschmitt Bf 110 (the plane on the secret list that Max sketches); and Ryan shares his immediate reaction on viewing the episode for the first time. All this and AJ shares an alternative vision for Max's end, before dropping tea all over their laptop. Thankfully this recording survived unscathed! If you would like to contact us then please email us on, or send a voicenote to: [email protected] or send us a message on Bluesky: AJ is on secretarmypod.bsky.social while Andy can be found at andypodding.bsky.social. AJ is also on Twitter at @secretarmypod. We'd love to hear from you, especially if you have any views to share your  on the first episode of Series 3: The Last Run.  Thank you, as ever, for listening and for coming down the line with us. Andy & AJ xxx Next Time: Day of Wrath

This month AJ and Andy review the suspense-filled series two episode A Matter of Life and Death written by Robert Barr which charts the fate of Francois as he tries to prove to Natalie that he too is cut out for evasion work.  Along the way they celebrate the guest appearances of Duncan Lamont and Michael Graham Cox and the central performances here of Juliet Hammond-Hill, Nigel Williams and Stephen Yardley. They also debate whether Max truly intended to take over Lifeline and whether he reluctantly betrayed Francois. Elsewhere, as usual we hear Ryan's Reaction, are grateful to Phil for a location spot from Weekend (the bridge on the Rue de Lion: https://www.reflexcity.net/bruxelles/communes/ville-de-bruxelles/laeken/rampe-du-lion/photos) and discuss the historical reality of the betrayal of the Comete evasion line by Jacques Desoubrie: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacques_Desoubrie. AJ also mentions the book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Children-Against-Hitler-Resistance-Heroes/dp/1526764288  If you would like to contact us then please email us on, or send a voicenote to: [email protected] or send us a message on Bluesky: AJ is on secretarmypod.bsky.social while Andy can be found at andypodding.bsky.social. AJ is also on Twitter at @secretarmypod. We'd love to hear from you, especially your takes on the Series 2 finale Day of Wrath or our Series 2 wrap-up episode.   Thank you, as ever, for listening and for coming down the line with us. Andy & AJ xxx Next Time: Prisoner of War

In this month's special episode AJ interviews Keith Jayne and Rachel Beasley who played Wim and Marie-Claire in the episode Guests at God's Table. As well as recounting how they won the roles, they remember their time at the Barbara Speake Stage School, director Terence Dudley, the rehearsal process and recording at BBC TV Centre.  They also reflect on performing as child actors in the 70s and early 80s, their careers since leaving acting behind, and revisiting Guests at God's Table today. If you enjoyed this interview and would like to donate to Keith or Rachel's nominated charities, they are: Keith: Children's Hospice South West, www.chsw.org.uk  Rachel: Mary's Meals, www.marysmeals.org.uk We are grateful to Keith and Rachel for their time. If you would like to contact us then please email us on, or send a voicenote to: [email protected] or send us a message on Bluesky: AJ is on secretarmypod.bsky.social while Andy can be found at andypodding.bsky.social. AJ is also on Twitter at @secretarmypod. We'd love to hear from you, especially your take on the Series 2 episodes  Prisoner of War and Day of Wrath which are in preparation. Thank you, as ever, for listening and for coming down the line with us. Andy & AJ xxx Next Time: A Matter of Life and Death

This month AJ and Andy review the closest thing Secret Army has to a Christmas Special: Guests at God's Table, by series script editor John Brason, otherwise known as 'the one with the orphans.' Despite having its faults, perhaps mostly deriving from the fact that the episode is entirely studio-bound and involves child actors, the pair find much to enjoy.  Together they pick out the episode's strong thematic contact such as 'organisation versus improvisation' and 'romanticism versus realism' and the cosy scenes of festive life in the Candide that joyfully pepper this instalment.  There is appreciation of the new connection between Monique and Brandt and musings on the direction this might have taken had Michael Culver elected to stay with the series. And there's confusion over two many extra men - Roland Huys and Maurice Tourtellat - both of whom serve little purpose to the narrative. Elsewhere, Andy is perhaps a little too excited about new information relating to staff members at the Candide, including a name for its never-seen chef! Ryan once again offers his first-watch opinion and we also hear from Alex and Nicky too.  If you would like to contact us then please email us on, or send a voicenote to: [email protected] or send us a message on Bluesky: AJ is on secretarmypod.bsky.social while Andy can be found at andypodding.bsky.social. AJ is also on Twitter at @secretarmypod. We'd love to hear from you, especially your takes on the Series 2 episodes A Matter of Life and Death and Prisoner of War which are in preparation. Thank you, as ever, for listening and for coming down the line with us. Andy & AJ xxx Next Time: AJ interviews Keith Jayne and Rachel Beasley about their contributions to this episode.  _________________________________ Obituary for John Line (Maurice Tourtellat): https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2018/aug/22/john-line-obituary   

AJ and Andy get back on track with their journey through the second series, arriving at David Crane's Little Old Lady which chiefly concerns Lifeline helping the downed Wing Commander Kelso to travel down the line disguised as a 'little old lady', or rather more accurately as an aristocratic Comtesse. Charged with assisting him are first Natalie, and then Monique, the latter having come up with the disguise idea. There's a lot else going on too: Albert is arrested, the Candide comes under threat and Monique befriends the lonely and enigmatic Madeleine who is unaware that the chanteuse is the Queen Bee of the Belgian Resistance! Andy draws out the themes of: identity, disguise and belief; collaboration and reprisals; and trust and mistrust, and considers the episode to be one of the best of Secret Army's second run. AJ is fascinated by Madeleine gradually shedding her possessions, questions Monique's decision to sleep with Kelso, and flags up the problem of lost scenes. Andy agrees and critiques some of the editing choices made. However,  both praise highly the scene with Monique and Madeleine, the relationship between Natalie and Max, and the glorious tableau in the Candide that closes the episode.   Elsewhere there's plenty of information on the locations used, discussion of the food served in the Candide and the questionable strangling of the 'napkin baby'! If you would like to contact us then please email us on, or send a voicenote to: [email protected] or send us a message on Bluesky: AJ is on secretarmypod.bsky.social while Andy can be found at andypodding.bsky.social. AJ is also on Twitter at @secretarmypod. We'd love to hear from you, especially your takes on the Series 2 episodes A Matter of Life and Death and Prisoner of War which are in preparation. Thank you, as ever, for listening and for coming down the line with us. Next Time: Guests at God's Table _______________________________________________________________________

In this special festive edition of Down the Line your hosts wish you a merry Christmas before AJ tries Calvados for the very first time! Their festive message is followed by an interview with the fantastic Paul Shelley who played Major Bradley in the second and third series of Secret Army. Paul enthusiastically remembers playing Bradley, his first appearance in Lucky Piece and his return for four episodes in 1979 which proved controversial with some members of the cast. As well as memories of his fellow actors and directors, he also recalls elements of the series that are major spoilers, so don't listen until you've seen the whole series! We are incredibly grateful to Paul for sharing his memories and time with us and ask, if you enjoyed this interview, that you might consider donating to his chosen charity: the Actors' Children's Trust:  and quote 'Secret Army' if you donate. You can donate online: https://actorschildren.org/ or by phone: 020 4591 8585. Thank you. If you would like to contact us then please email us on, or send a voicenote to: [email protected] or send us a message on Bluesky: AJ is on secretarmypod.bsky.social while Andy can be found at andypodding.bsky.social. AJ is also still on Twitter at @secretarmypod. We'd love to hear from you, especially your takes on the Series 2 episodes Guests at God's Table and A Matter of Life and Death which are in preparation. Thank you, as ever, for listening and for coming down the line with us. And please do share our content wherever you see it. Happy Christmas! We are back in the New Year with a return to our regular review episodes. Next Time: Little Old Lady

In another special bonus interview episode AJ interviews the wonderful Daniel Hill who appeared in two episodes of Secret Army: Too Near Home and The Big One. In the latter he played Flt. Sgt. Bert Lewis, the airman who encounters Brandt shortly after the death of his wife and son. As well as recalling shooting that memorable scene he remembers in some detail what it was like to work with actors, Michael Culver, Bernard Hepton, Clifford Rose,  directors Viktors Ritelis and Michael E. Briant, writer N. J. Crisp and producer Gerry Glaister. But there's so much more to this interview than Secret Army, Daniel also discusses working with Tom Baker and Lalla Ward on the lost Doctor Who story Shada, the thriller serial Blood Money and playing Tom Redburn in the opening episodes of Tenko. Finally he also describes how he left drama behind for comedy and Gerry Glaister's reaction to that news... We are so grateful to Daniel for sharing his memories and time with us and ask, if you enjoyed this interview, that you might consider donating to his chosen charity: the Actors' Children's Trust:  and quote 'Secret Army' if you donate. You can donate online: https://actorschildren.org/ or by phone: 020 4591 8585. Thank you. We are back on Christmas Day with festive cheer and another interview, this time Paul Shelley who played Major Nick Bradley. Exciting huh?! If you would like to contact us then please email us on, or send a voicenote to: [email protected] or send us a message on Bluesky: AJ is on secretarmypod.bsky.social while Andy can be found at andypodding.bsky.social. AJ is also still on Twitter at @secretarmypod. We'd love to hear from you, especially your takes on the Series 2 episodes Guests at God's Table and A Matter of Life and Death which are in preparation. Thank you, as ever, for listening and for coming down the line with us. And please do share our content wherever you see it. Next Time: Christmas Special interview with Paul Shelley

This month AJ and Andy turn their attention to one of the most highly regarded episodes of the second series: N J Crisp's The Big One. Berlin is 'The Big One' and it is a bombing raid on that city brings tragedy to Major Brandt. The pair discuss how Michael Culver gives an intimate and brilliant performance as the distraught Major who is already torn between loyalty to his country and his family's future before his world collapses around him. Elsewhere they follow the developing relationship between Kessler and Madeleine as the later emerges from her depression and can only see kindness in the Sturmbannfuhrer, despite being aware that she and her new love both need illusions.  They are alos joined by Chris Richards at intervals who draws comparisons between the narrative and the Len Deighton book Bomber and also shares his journey to Secret Army and particular affinity for Brandt.  Andy's partner Ryan correctly guesses that this is the first instalment of Secret Army helmed by a new director, Michael E. Briant who he feels approaches the episode as a mini feature film. Andy also notes Briant's love of a camera sweep, archive footage and how he came to edit and publish Briant's autobiography: Who is Michael E. Briant? (4 out of 5 stars on Amazon - what a great Christmas present! https://bit.ly/Briant) AJ and Andy also continue their obsession with the Candide's waiting staff: Claudine is no more and has been replaced by dodgy 'George', while Trisha Clarke is a catalyst for a brief sing-along.  All of this and funny Foley too. With trains, car, ducks and a cow all making themselves heard, often at the most inopportune moments. But really its all about those final scenes when Brandt breaks and increasingly frenetically demands of Bert Lewis: 'Where's the farm?!' If you would like to contact us then please email us on, or send a voicenote to: [email protected] or send us a message on Bluesky: AJ is on secretarmypod.bsky.social while Andy can be found at andypodding.bsky.social. AJ is also still on Twitter at @secretarmypod. We'd love to hear from you, especially your takes on the Series 2 episodes Guests at God's Table and A Matter of Life and Death which are in preparation. Thank you, as ever, for listening and for coming down the line with us. Next Time: Interview Daniel Hill (Flt Sgt Bert Lewis) ...and on Christmas Day: Interview with Paul Shelley (Major Bradley) _______________________________________________________________________ Documentary on Michael Culver's political activism: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mToyl2E4uRs Frank Tolley: https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/frank-tolley 

In today's bonus episode of 'Down the Line' AJ interviews Paul Wagar who played evader Peter Harris in the episode Weekend (which we reviewed in our last episode). He recalls how he got the role, his memories of a very smooth and professional production process, and how the experience taught him the value of editing to elevate performances. Aside from his work on Secret Army he recalls his time with the RSC, his brush with the original Star Wars trilogy, and the loss of his beloved dog Chet. If you enjoy this interview please consider making a donation of any amount you wish to Paul's chosen charity which is the PDSA, a charity for pets in need. You can donate at: https://www.pdsa.org.uk/ or call them on 0300 3737 224. Thank you!   If you would like to contact us then please email us on, or send a voicenote to: [email protected] or send us a message on Bluesky: AJ is on secretarmypod.bsky.social while Andy can be found at andypodding.bsky.social. AJ is also still on Twitter at @secretarmypod. We'd love to hear from you, especially your takes on the Series 2 episodes Little Old Lady and Guests at God's Table which are in preparation.   Thanks as ever for listening and for your feedback. It is very much appreciated!   Next Time: The Big One