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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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,...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

'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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...