Down the Line: a Secret Army podcast
A fan podcast dedicated to the classic BBC television drama Secret Army. The hosts review and celebrate the series episode by episode, offering insights and commentary on each installment. New episodes are released every month, taking listeners through the show in order.
Episodes
Series 2, Episode 13: Day of Wrath
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
Series 2, Episode 12: Prisoner of War
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 frustratio
Series 2, Episode 11: A Matter of Life and Death
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 Steph
Interview with Keith Jayne and Rachel Beasley
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 ear
Series 2, Episode 10: Guests at God's Table
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 stro
Series 2, Episode 9: Little Old Lady
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 th
Christmas Special 2025 - Interview with Paul Shelley
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
Interview with Daniel Hill
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,
Series 2, Episode 8: The Big One
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
Interview with Paul Wagar
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 wi
Series 2, Episode 7: Weekend
When two American evaders kidnap Kessler and hold him aboard Hans Von Broecken's barge Lifeline's agents inevitably become involved and tragedy ensues. This episode, written and directed by Paul Annett, weaves together: Nazi art theft - with both Albert and Monique, and Kessler on the trail of a priceless Rubens painting; the return of our favourite bargee and his wife - Hans and Lena; and the ras
Interview with Hazel McBride
In today's special episode of 'Down the Line' AJ interviews Hazel McBride who played Madeleine Duclos in the second and third series of Secret Army. Hazel shares how she won the role, her memories of playing opposite Clifford Rose, recording in the studio and filming on location, and what she has been doing since Secret Army.
If you enjoyed this interview please consider making a donation of any
Series 2, Episode 6: Scorpion
AJ and Andy review the second season episode Scorpion in which Brandt is joined in Brussels by his wife Erika, and Albert learns that the Line has been compromised by another infiltrator. Ultimately, it is none other than Hans Van Broecken who is enlisted to unmask the fake evader.
As well as thoroughly enjoying the arrival of guest star Brigitte Kahn, your hosts discuss the episode's many couples
Series 2, Episode 5: Not According to Plan
AJ and Andy review the series two episode in which Natalie and her new boyfriend Francois are injured when a communist group blows up the train on which they are travelling. These Brussels-based communists are led by Paul Vercors who it transpires is determined to take over Lifeline via Max Brocard.
For this David Crane-scripted and Viktors Ritelis-directed episode AJ and Andy find themselves con
Series 2, Episode 4: Trapped
This month AJ and Andy are thrilled to be joined on the podcast by writer Joseph (Joe) Lidster as they discuss the legendary series two episode Trapped, penned by N (Norman) J Crisp.
If you need a reminder, it's the episode in which Monique is shot while down the line and has to be rescued by her Lifeline colleagues before Kessler arrives and identifies her.
Joe explains how he came to watch Sec
Series 2, Episode 3: Lucky Piece
When a Polish scientist needs to be operated on and rescued from Belgium, his handler, a British agent called Bradley encounters Lifeline. When he discovers that Natalie is being tailed by the Germans he elects to intervene...
This month AJ and Andy review Juliet Hammond's favourite episode, the Natalie-centric Lucky Piece, in which we first meet maverick secret agent Nick Bradley played by Paul S
Interview with Constantine Gregory (Ivan in Russian Roulette)
This month we take a short break from the second series for an interview which AJ conducted with actor Constantine Gregory who played one of the two Russians in Russian Roulette: Ivan Ilyich Kusnetsov. American-born Constantine shares details of his Russian ancestry, his friendship with Richard Marner, and highlights from his career as both an actor and as a dialogue coach on films such as The Las
Series 2, Episode 2: Russian Roulette
'That megalomaniac upstart is rapidly degenerating into a latter-day Caligula!'
Our review of Secret Army's gripping second series continues with John Brason's Russian Roulette: soon after hearing about the death of their leader Lisa, Lifeline have to contend with two Russian evaders, Brandt is asked to join a plot against Hitler, and Albert accepts Kessler's invite to a sinister garden party...
W
Interview with Jan Francis
In this special episode of Down the Line, AJ Interviews none other than Jan Francis who played Lisa Colbert: codename Yvette, in Secret Army. As well as her memories of being cast in the show, Jan recalls its creator and producer Gerry Glaister, and the learning curve she and her fellow cast members went on as they found out about the historical reality behind the series.
Having recently watched t
Series 2, Episode 1: The Hostage
AJ and Andy finally arrive at Series 2 and its fair to say they're excited to be here. They discuss the big changes between seasons as Lifeline takes up its new centre of operations in the high-class Restaurant Candide in the Grand Place and Albert, Monique and Natalie begin to rub shoulders with the enemy on a daily basis. Along the way your hosts also discuss the off-screen departure of Jacques
Interview with Juliette Hammond (Christmas Special 2024)
It's our 2024 Christmas Special and this year our festive offering is a brand new interview with Juliette Hammond who played Natalie in all three series of Secret Army!
As well as talking about her memories of the series, in an interview first, she also casts her mind back to playing other roles during her career: the telepath Pella in Blake's 7, the duplicitous Miranda in Only Fools and Horses, a
Review of Series One
AJ and Andy look back over the first series of Secret Army ahead of their exploration of series two. Andy shares memories of Clifford Rose while AJ teases content from a forthcoming interview with Jan Francis. They also consider their favourite directors, writers, regular characters and guest stars and reveal choices sent in by listeners.
As a piece of bonus content in the final 20 minutes AJ int
Episode 16: Be the First Kid in Your Block to Rule the World
With Kessler determined to capture the British agent, Curtis must find a way out of Brussels as a great encirclement of the city begins...
AJ and Andy finally reach the end of the first series and tackle matters as diverse as the relationship between Lisa and Curtis, the replacement of Brandt by Reinecke, and what Lifeline is doing outside at the end of the episode!
Along the way they find much to
Episode 15: Suspicions
When Curtis falls under suspicion for the murder of Hugh Neville, the future of Lifeline is in doubt as Brandt and Kessler come dangerously close to uncovering their operations...
Andy is thrilled to have arrived at what he consider to be a blueprint for the series Secret Army and even dispensed with his usual poker face when watching it with Ryan. AJ meanwhile couldn't help but notice the wintry
Episode 14: Good Friday
When the brothers of a Brussels-based monastery elect to harbour an evader, Kessler arrives on the scene and his usual tactics are in no way dulled as he confronts these 'men of God' on one of their holiest days: Good Friday.
This month, AJ and Andy are delighted to be joined by Alex Wilcock as together they muse upon the many theological themes, meanings and metaphors in John Brason's script. The
An interview with Hetty Baynes (Yvonne)
AJ and Andy interview Henrietta 'Hetty' Baynes who played Yvonne in three different episodes of Secret Army. Hetty recalls working on the Candide studio set, rehearsing in Acton and the joy of working with the series regulars. She also reflects on what motivated Yvonne and the character's possible journey after the war. Hetty also recounts highlights from her varied TV career including Bergerac, R
Episode 13: Bait
AJ and Andy explore James Andrew Hall's second contribution to Secret Army: Bait, a clever tale centring around a woman, Catherine Bidout, living in Brussels who has not been interned despite being British. She is part of a trap prepared by Kessler, and Brandt is in danger of falling right into it. When Lifeline are also summoned to help, both the future of the evasion line and the Luftwaffe Major
Episode 12: Hymn to Freedom
This month AJ & Andy appraise Michael Chapman's sole contribution to Secret Army: Hymn to Freedom, which explores the political and personal motivations of the Quisling-like Van Reijn as he attempts to leave Occupied Belgium behind.
Andy has issues with Chapman's storytelling style, while AJ has cause to sing a refrain of 'Interchangeable Men'. Elsewhere, a draughts trope irritates Andy, AJ c
Episode 11: A Question of Loyalty
This month AJ and Andy review one of the most celebrated episodes of the first series in which Lifeline is threatened when Monique gets too close to an SS officer impersonating an evader. As well as exploring the welcome character development for both Monique and Albert, and the bravura performance by Angela Richards in particular, the pair also discuss Clifford Rose's portrayal of the ruthless Ke
An interview with Christopher Douglas (Noel Uys)
AJ interviews actor and writer Christopher Douglas who played downed South African airman Noel Uys in the Series 1 episode Identity in Doubt. Christopher is now best known for playing Ed Reardon in radio's Ed Reardon's week but was happy to cast his mind back to 1977, his co-stars, director Vik Ritelis, and his time in the mud!
If you enjoyed this episode please donate to Christopher's chosen cha
Episode 10: Identity in Doubt
When a lock keeper is killed and Jacques is injured, Natalie's fate looks uncertain as she is taken hostage by an impetuous evader whose identity is in doubt...
AJ and Andy critique 'the one with the mud' and find a lot more to discuss and explore than this episode's memorable denouement. There is high praise for Juliet Hammond-Hill's performance as Natalie as the character takes centre-stage for
The 28 Grand Place Special
In today's mid-month bonus edition AJ interviews Bridget Bree who has lived in Belgium since 2017. Bridget is currently renting 28 Grand Place, the location used as the exterior of the Candide in the second and third series of Secret Army. Bridget and the '316 community' (https://www.316.be) are renting the building as a space for an art exhibition until the summer. Bridget is a fan of the series
Episode 9: Too Near Home
There is trouble in Paris and Lisa is about to get in very deep water in nearby Senlis. But when her uncle Gaston finds himself interrogated by Kessler himself it is set to be a dark day for Lifeline.
As they review Too Near Home, AJ and Andy discuss its writer, master of suspense and spy storytelling - Robert Barr, the reliably distinctive direction of Viktors Ritelis and, thanks to the appearan
Episode 8: Guilt
This month AJ and Andy review one of their favourite episodes from the first series: Guilt. Naturally, they love the more active role it affords Angela Richards' Monique as she follows Curtis into France to determine if he is a double agent.
Guilt is of course a continuation of the story begun in Lost Sheep, dealing with the aftermath of the betrayal of Flt. Lt. Peter Romsey and the death of resi
An interview with Christopher Guard (Flt. Lt. Peter Romsey)
We are just too good to you! In this, another special extra edition of Down the Line, AJ catches up with Christopher Guard who played Peter Romsey in Lost Sheep. Chris shares his memories of working on Secret Army and also reflects more broadly on his time working in television in the 70s. He also shares details of his entertaining autobiography: And Then It Was Now, which is available in print an
Episode 7: Lost Sheep
Its a new year and a new time slot! From now on we will be publishing new episodes on the first Saturday of every month. Today, AJ and Andy tackle Lost Sheep, the seventh episode of the first series, which features Christopher Guard as evader Peter Romsey - the Lost Sheep of the title - and Peter Barkworth as writer Hugh Neville.
As well as celebrating the performances and exploring Norman John Cr
Christmas Special 2023
In a special Christmas episode Andy takes up the editing reins for a change and guides Saint Nicholas's festive sleigh as he and AJ celebrate Secret Army and this podcast with a little help from Albert, Monique, Natalie. Max and a group of Belgian orphans.
As well as reflecting on what they have learned through collaborating and creating together, there's also a fiendish quiz and some entirely rel
An interview with Angela Richards (Monique Duchamps)
This week AJ interviews Angela Richards who played Monique Duchamps in all three series of Secret Army. Rather than covering her time on Secret Army (as discussed in Andy's 2020 interview with her for his UK TV Drama Podcast - see link below) AJ covers brand new ground with the supremely talented actress and singer.
Music: For All Our Yesterdays written and performed by Angela Richards
Andy's int
Episode 6: Growing Up
This time AJ and Andy review Growing Up - the very first episode of Secret Army to go before the cameras back in April 1977. It tells the story of a young Belgian boy - Jean-Paul Dornes played by Max Harris - who discovers and assists a downed airman - Sgt Clfford Howson played by Norman Eshley - with tragic consequences.
Once again the Lifeline regulars (in AJ's head 'The Baker Street Irregulars'
Episode 5: Second Chance
Today the Down the Line team review the episode that Andy always describes as the start of Secret Army proper: Second Chance. Although it introduces yet more new characters: Hans and Lena, the story has our Lifeline regulars more centre stage and we finally hear Monique sing. It's a tightly plotted piece with a weighty moral dilemma at its absorbing and memorable conclusion.
Elsewhere AJ is disapp
Episode 4: Child’s Play
We've reached episode 4 of the first series and Arden Winch's Child's Play. While AJ has beef with Mr Winch, Andy struggles to believe this is directed by Viktors Ritelis. Although both agree that this is not the best episode of Secret Army, due to the sheer amount of exposition and the fact that it takes place down the line away from most of the Lifeline regulars, they still find things to enjoy
Episode 3: Radishes with Butter
This week AJ and Andy tackle the third episode of Secret Army's first series: Radishes with Butter, written by John Brason and directed by Paul Annett.
It chiefly deals with the Final Solution: the deportation of Jews from Brussels to death camps, via the story of one family - the Schliemanns - who Curtis wants Lifeline to help even though Lisa insists that they cannot get involved.
At Gestapo HQ
Episode 2: Sergeant on the Run
This week AJ and Andy explore the filmic second episode of Secret Army: Sergeant on the Run. This leads them to consider the unique directorial style of Latvian-born Viktors Ritelis with his penchant for metaphor and stark European realism. They also discuss how this episode might have placed better later in the run due to its focus on a guest character - Sergeant Walker played by Martin Burrows -
An interview with Austin Ruddy (principal designer of Secret Army)
In this special bonus interview AJ speaks with Secret Army's principal designer Austin Ruddy who created all the key sets for the series including all the Candide interiors, the German offices at the Avenue Louise, and the Colbert family home. Ruddy describes how he became a TV production designer and his memories of working on Secret Army.
If you enjoyed this bonus episode you might like to dona
Episode 1: Lisa - Code Name Yvette
This week your hosts, AJ and Andy, talk a little more about the inception of the series, specifically the contribution of creator (uncredited) and producer Gerard (Gerry) Glaister) and script editor and writer John Brason, as well as reviewing the first episode: Lisa - Code Name Yvette, written by Willis Hall and directed by Kenneth Ives.
Hall had the unenviable task of writing an opening instalm
An introduction to Down the Line: a Secret Army podcast
Introducing 'Down the Line' a new podcast exploring, reviewing and celebrating the classic BBC wartime series Secret Army.
In this special introductory episode your hosts, Andy and AJ describe what their new podcast will include and why they love Secret Army.
New episodes will be available every 2 weeks and will explore every instalment in depth. Along the way there will be bonus interviews with
