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 rash actions of two scared Americans, in a complex but enjoyable episode of Secret Army. As well as exploring Weekend's key themes AJ and Andy ponder Monique's family background, Madame Desmartes's metaphor, that 'difficult period' between Jesus's crucifixion and entombment, and the whereabouts of waitress Genevieve. They also discuss the passing of the golden era of chocolate boxes, the impact of 'Allo! 'Allo! on Secret Army, and who actually wrote the 'Evening at Le Candide' theatre evening - was it Andy or Angela? The Czech film adaptation of the Lidice story is available on DVD: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lidice-DVD/dp/B009V1W9OE. There are also many books published about the incident including 'A Little Village Called Lidice' by Zdena Trinka (1947), available on Kindle:  If you want to view William Wyler's 'Memphis Belle' documentary, which is about the Flying Fortresses featured in this episode, it has been made available by the American Library of Congress on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DW4F_ZMrS3A On a lighter note, if you want to reacquaint yourself with Weekend chocolates then go here: https://projectswordtoys.blogspot.com/2022/11/weekend-by-mackintosh.html If you would like to contact us then please email us on, or send a voicenote to: secretarmypod@gmail.com 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. Thank you, as ever, for listening and for coming down the line with us. Next Time: AJ interviews Paul Wagar (who played evader Peter Harris in this episode)  

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 amount you wish to Hazel's chosen charity which is the Actors' Benevolent Fund, a charity which supports actors and stage managers experiencing hardship due to injury, illness, or old age.  The website is www.actorsbenevolentfund.co.uk/support and you can also reach them by calling 020 7836 6378. When making a donation, please quote "Secret Army Podcast Hazel McBride Interview". This will help the charity link donations together. Thank you!   If you would like to contact us then please email us on, or send a voicenote to: secretarmypod@gmail.com 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.   Next Time: Weekend

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, the glorious Madame Van Artevelde, the sets by Austin Ruddy. and its expertly handled themes such as change, class, and dignity. As usual we also hear from Ryan after he watches the episode for the very first time and Alex who has a very different take on Scorpion to AJ and Andy... Elsewhere, AJ details their visit to the immersive exhibit at the Avro Heritage Museum:  https://www.avroheritagemuseum.co.uk/ and the experiences of Bomb Aimer Frank Tolley: https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/frank-tolley   If you would like to contact us then please email us on, or send a voicenote to: secretarmypod@gmail.com 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 The Big One and Little Old Lady which are in preparation. Thank you for listening and for coming down the line with us again.Next Time: Weekend

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 conducting impromptu investigations into: the communist's terrible plan; the sudden introduction of Francois; and the portrayal of the Belgian black market.  Elsewhere they explore the development of Albert and Monique's relationship, the fate and travels of a perfume box and discuss their 'least 5' favourite episodes of Secret Army, of which this is most definitely one. As well as hearing from Alex and Ryan on their thoughts we hear from Belgian Peter Thiebaut on his memories of the series. We also mark the passing of Andree Dumon, the last survivor of the Comete Line, the evasion network on which Lifeline is based: https://heldenvanhetverzet.be/artikels/in-memoriam-andree-nadine-dumon-1922-2025-english-version If you would like to contact us then please email us on, or send a voicenote to: secretarmypod@gmail.com 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 Weekend and The Big One which are in preparation. Thank you! Next Time: Scorpion

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 Secret Army during lockdown and specifically why he fell in love with the character of Monique and the fact that the show eventually becomes her story. From his perspective as a writer he also celebrates how unique each character is, with Madeleine, introduced in this episode, being a great example.  Other aspects of the show discussed in this episode include: background noises in the Candide; hat-action; eating and smoking in hospital; women being bored by men; a surplus of courgettes; and how, in Joe's opinion, N J Crisp effectively created Secret Army! We also hear, as usual, from Ryan and from Adam Wright who first became acquainted with the series on Talking Pictures.  Joe Lidster can be found at: https://linktr.ee/josephlidster  The book AJ mentions is Belgium in the Second World War: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Belgium-Second-World-Jean-Michel-Veranneman/dp/1783376074 The faded Netherlands Ry Wagons-Lits railway poster seen behind Natalie in this episode (and which has subsequently been purchased by Ryan for Andy) is at the top of this webpage and in full further down the page: https://retours.eu/en/60-bagdatopoulos-railway-posters/  If you would like to contact us then please email us on, or send a voicenote to: secretarmypod@gmail.com 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 Scorpion and Weekend which are in preparation. Thank you! Next Time: Not According to Plan

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 Shelley. The pair debate the episode's potential chauvinism,  how Natalie is depicted, and the directorial choices made by Viktors Ritelis. Elsewhere, Andy is excited to share a new location find, while AJ debates if Bradley is a cat person or not. We also hear from Andy's partner, Ryan; Alex Wilcock; and our end credits guest: Dr Madeleine Jowett.  The book that AJ mentions is 'London 1945' by Maureen Waller. If you would like to contact us then please email us on, or send a voicenote to: secretarmypod@gmail.com 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 Scorpion and Weekend which are in preparation. Thank you! Next Time: Trapped (with special guest Joe Lidster)

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 Last Emperor and Conspiracy with Kenneth Branagh.  We are grateful to Constantine for sharing his memories wth us. If you enjoyed the interview and would like to show your appreciation for his contribution, then please consider donating to his chosen charity: Turning Tides: https://www.turning-tides.org.uk/ which seeks to end local homelessness in the UK.  If you would like to contact us then please email us on, or send a voicenote to: secretarmypod@gmail.com 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 Not According to Plan and Scorpion which are currently in preparation. Thank you! Next Time: Lucky Piece

'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... While AJ realises just how much of the episode they had forgotten, Andy disagrees with himself from the past about both locations and musical instruments. The pair agree that the episode could also be called 'Natalie's Very Bad Day' and consider issues as diverse as: Alain's family and his share of the Muny farm; why everyone is suddenly and inexplicably calling Lisa, Yvette; the meaning of European hand gestures; and the decision not to subtitle the episode's plentiful Russian dialogue.  There's also Ryan's reaction on first viewing, Alex Wilcock considering both the episode's title and Kessler's return invitation to Albert, and Joanna from Australia who first watched the series at ten-years-old. The book that AJ mentions is The Nine by Gwen Strauss about a band of daring resistance women who escaped from Nazi Germany.  If you would like to contact us then please email us on, or send a voicenote to: secretarmypod@gmail.com 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 Trapped and Not According to Plan which are in preparation. Thank you! Next Time: Lucky Piece

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 the series again on Talking Pictures, Jan also reflects on whether Secret Army still stands up today. She also reveals some surprisingly relevant stories of her own father's wartime exploits.  We are incredibly grateful to Jan for giving up her time for this interview and for sharing so generously. If you would like to show your appreciation, then please consider donating to Jan's chosen charity: SSAFA (The Armed Forces Charity) at: https://www.ssafa.org.uk/ (and mention this Secret Army podcast when you donate so that contributions relating to this interview can be grouped together).  As ever, we'd love to hear from you. We will shortly be recording our thoughts on the Series 2 episodes: 'Trapped' and 'Not According to Plan' - if you have anything to say about either then our email is: secretarmypod@gmail.com You can also 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  Thank you for listening! AJ & Andy x Next Time: Russian Roulette

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 Bol, the Birthday Paradox and this episode's terribly misjudged instrumental music.  As ever the historical reality behind the episode is also explored and Andy's partner Ryan shares what he thinks after his first time watch. We also hear from regular contributor Alex Wilcock and there's a special musical Easter Egg from 2006. Spoiler Alert: Although this episode is from 1978 we feel duty bound to issue a spoiler warning relating to the death of one of Lifeline's regular characters. Do watch the episode in advance of listening.  If you would like to contact us then please email us on, or send a voicenote to: secretarmypod@gmail.com 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 Lucky Piece and Trapped which we have yet to record. Thank you! Next Time: Interview with Jan Francis (in two weeks time)

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, and Miss Hawk in the Look and Read series Dark Towers. She also recounts her experiences of growing up with actor parents, why she left acting behind, and her love of teaching drama.  If you enjoy this interview then please consider giving a donation to Juliette’s chosen charity: The Donkey Sanctuary, based in Sidmouth. Their website is www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk or you can call them on 01395 579128. When making a donation please say that it’s in reference to the Secret Army podcast, as this will help the charity to group all the donations together and work out any amount raised. We will be back next month - on the 4 January - with our review of the first episode of Series 2: The Hostage.  If you would like to contact us then please email us on, or send a voicenote to: secretarmypod@gmail.com 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. Thank you for coming down the line with us in 2024.  Happy holidays! Andy & AJ xxx  

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 interviews Abigail Brown who played the farmer's daughter in the first episode of Secret Army before becoming a regular on Grange Hill. If you enjoy this interview please consider donating to one of her charities: Shelter or the NSPCC. If you would like to get in touch with us about this episode or have comments about the Series 2 episodes Russian Roulette or Lucky Piece (we've already recorded The Hostage) then please tweet us at @secretarmypod or email us (or send a voice-note): secretarmypod@gmail.com Thank you for coming down the line with us! Andy & AJ

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 enjoy: the ideas that Lisa and Monique come up with; the typically Vik Ritelis direction; and the sheer bravado of Curtis's escape. However, they also find themselves grappling with a historical dating issue and why Curtis doesn't understand that he can't just come back to Brussels! At the end of the episode we hear from Sophie who found her way to Secret Army via Buffy, the Vampire Slayer! You can find Sophie on Instagram @stanleybiggsclothiers. Please do let us know your thoughts on this or any previous episode. We will shortly be recording episodes on Series 2's early episodes, so message us about those too! You can contact us on Twitter @secretarmypod or by email on secretarmypod@gmail.com  We will be back next month with an episode reviewing all of the first series of Secret Army.  Thanks for listening! AJ & Andy Next Month: Series 1 Wrap-Up

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 feel or the amount of times characters came in and out of doors! There's also high praise for both Curtis and Albert they respond to questioning, as well as fond appreciation for the thoughtful scenes that the latter shares with Andree. Elsewhere, there's an opportunity to sing "Capable Women" rather than "Interchangeable Men" and a moment to appreciate Jacques Bol in this his final episode. Join AJ and Andy as they hurtle towards the finale of Series One! Please do get in touch with your thoughts on this and future episodes. Tweets and voice-notes are both most welcome. You can email us on secretarmypod@gmail.com or on Twitter @secretarmypod Thank you for coming with us down the line! AJ & Andy Next Time: Be the First Kid in Your Block to Rule the World

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. They also consider chosen family and chosen names, whether Lisa is a calming influence, and, as ever, the value of Curtis to Lifeline. Elsewhere there is advice from AJ on egg painting, memories of slideshow nights from Andy, and a wonderfully relevant Kate Bush-related fact from Alex.  Please do get in touch with your thoughts on this and future episodes. Tweets and voice-notes are most welcome! You can email us on secretarmypod@gmail.com or on Twitter @secretarmypod Thank you so much for listening! AJ & Andy  Next Time: Suspicions

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, Running Scared and Jonathan Creek and how she met and fell in love with film director Ken Russell while making The Secret Life of Arnold Bax. If you enjoyed this episode please consider contributing to one of Hetty's nominated charities: NSPCC, www.nspcc.org.uk, 0207 825 2505 Beat, beateatingdisorders.org.uk, 0160 375 3308 Mind, mind.org.uk, 0208 215 2243 Next Time: Good Friday

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 are at stake.  As well as the pair's enjoyment of the inclusion of so many older female characters, AJ is a great fan of the final denouement which sees Brandt resolute while under pressure from Kessler, while Andy enjoys the Major's moral decision to save Bidout rather than pursue Lifeline.  Elsewhere... there is deep love for the return of the wonderful Yvonne played by Henrietta Baynes; the character of Curtis continues to be a source of frustration; and the scene in which Albert requires Monique to work on the Nazi flag comes under the microscope.  Also, Andy has clearly thought far too much about the route of Hitler's birthday parade, while AJ has actually just been to Brussels and shares their experiences of visiting the Candide today! We also hear from Ryan, Alex Wilcock and Andrew Orton. Andrew's video on Secret Army can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWqBfiwzy5A Thank you to them and everyone else who is joining us on this journey. Tweets and voice-notes are most welcome! You can email us on secretarmypod@gmail.com or on Twitter @secretarmypod You can find out more about the current pop-up gallery in the Brussels' building used as the Candide here: https://www.316.be/meet-ups  Anyway, we're both off to the haberdashery for a good gossip. Until next time... AJ & Andy Next Time: Interview with Henrietta Baynes (in 2 weeks time)

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 considers how differently they might react to Lisa if a man talked to them like Curtis does, and both of them are thrilled to learn about a filming location used in the episode.  We are joined, as ever, by Ryan, and also by Alex Wilcock whose reading of the episode brings lots of new ideas to light. At the end of the episode we are joined by Sophia Bennett (@sophiabennett on Twitter) who reflects on how Secret Army has affected both her reading and her writing. You can find out about her books here: http://sophiabennett.com/books/  Also you might want to check out Flemish and Wallooon POWs in the Second World War by Jean-Michel Veranneman (as mentioned by AJ): https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Belgium-in-the-Second-World-War-Paperback/p/20249 As ever, thank you for listening and please do share links and promote the podcast wherever you can. You can tweet us at @secretarmypod or email us/drop us a voice-note at secretarmypod@gmail.com Next Time: Bait

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 Kessler.  They reserve special attention for the episode's sublime 'No Compartments' speech which is discussed in depth towards the end of the episode. Why Angela didn't receive a Best Actress BAFTA is anyone's guess.  Elsewhere Andy takes a deep dive into the locations featured in the episode, while AJ explains the surprising reason why Clive Arrindell, who plays Stoller here, is such a familiar face in Spain.  Recounting of the unspeakable activities of the original SS Totenkopf Division (of which Stoller was a part) incorporates discussion of the massacres at Le Paradis and Chasselay. You can find more information on these incidents here: Le Paradis: http://www.leparadismassacre.com/ Chasselay: (https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/chasselay-massacre-june-1940)  As usual we close by hearing what fans of the series think of the episode, before Sarah tells us what the series meant to her first time around.  Next Time: Hymn to Freedom

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 charity: Blood Cancer UK: https://bloodcancer.org.uk/ You can also donate by phone on: 0808 1695155 Next TIme: A Question of Loyalty