Dramas

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.

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 soldier/Reporter: Freddy Elletson Grandpa Allan/ Mr Yamada: Clyde Kusatsu Emily: Samantha Dakin Little Ken: Hudson Roberts. Mrs Tanaka/Baachan/Shirley/Li: Tamlyn Tomita Nui Louie/Mr Okimura: Aaron Ikeda Barry/Captain Kim/Private Sasaki/Radio man: Derek Mio Shorty: Raiko Gohara Ohta/Captain Minori: Matt McCooey Drill Sergeant/General Dahlquist: Martin McDougal Colonel Pence/Earl Finch/Col Miller: Colin Stinton Sonny: Kurt Kanazawa Boxer/Crooner/Pokey: Conrad Lihilihi

Written by Iris Yamashita Sound design: Richard Gould at Skywalker Sound Recording and mixing: Leon Chambers Original music: Josh Sneesby Consultant: L Stuart Hirai Dramaturg: James Yeatman Broadcast assistant: Teresa Milewski Production co-ordinator: Kate Brook Associate producers: Tim Bell & Rosa Crompton Director: Jessica Dromgoole Producer: Catherine Bailey. Based on an idea by Simon Pitts

A Catherine Bailey production for the BBC World Service

Audio for this episode was updated on 24th January 2025.

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: Clyde Kusatsu Emily: Samantha Dakin Little Ken: Hudson Roberts. Mrs Tanaka/Baachan/Shirley/Li: Tamlyn Tomita Nui Louie/Mr Okimura: Aaron Ikeda Barry/Captain Kim/Private Sasaki/Radio man: Derek Mio Shorty: Raiko Gohara Ohta/Captain Minori: Matt McCooey Drill Sergeant/General Dahlquist: Martin McDougal Colonel Pence/Earl Finch/Col Miller: Colin Stinton Sonny: Kurt Kanazawa Boxer/Crooner/Pokey: Conrad Lihilihi

Written by Iris Yamashita Sound design: Richard Gould at Skywalker Sound Recording and mixing: Leon Chambers Original music: Josh Sneesby Consultant: L Stuart Hirai Dramaturg: James Yeatman Broadcast assistant: Teresa Milewski Production co-ordinator: Kate Brook Associate producers: Tim Bell & Rosa Crompton Director: Jessica Dromgoole Producer: Catherine Bailey. Based on an idea by Simon Pitts

A Catherine Bailey production for the BBC World Service

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 Lieutenant/Bus guard/Texan soldier/Reporter: Freddy Elletson Grandpa Allan/ Mr Yamada: Clyde Kusatsu Emily: Samantha Dakin Little Ken: Hudson Roberts. Mrs Tanaka/Baachan/Shirley/Li: Tamlyn Tomita Nui Louie/Mr Okimura: Aaron Ikeda Barry/Captain Kim/Private Sasaki/Radio man: Derek Mio Shorty: Raiko Gohara Ohta/Captain Minori: Matt McCooey Drill Sergeant/General Dahlquist: Martin McDougal Colonel Pence/Earl Finch/Col Miller: Colin Stinton Sonny: Kurt Kanazawa Boxer/Crooner/Pokey: Conrad Lihilihi

Written by Iris Yamashita Sound design: Richard Gould at Skywalker Sound Recording and mixing: Leon Chambers Original music: Josh Sneesby Consultant: L Stuart Hirai Dramaturg: James Yeatman Broadcast assistant: Teresa Milewski Production co-ordinator: Kate Brook Associate producers: Tim Bell & Rosa Crompton Director: Jessica Dromgoole Producer: Catherine Bailey. Based on an idea by Simon Pitts

A Catherine Bailey production for the BBC World Service

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/Reporter: Freddy Elletson Grandpa Allan/ Mr Yamada: Clyde Kusatsu Emily: Samantha Dakin Little Ken: Hudson Roberts. Mrs Tanaka/Baachan/Shirley/Li: Tamlyn Tomita Nui Louie/Mr Okimura: Aaron Ikeda Barry/Captain Kim/Private Sasaki/Radio man: Derek Mio Shorty: Raiko Gohara Ohta/Captain Minori: Matt McCooey Drill Sergeant/General Dahlquist: Martin McDougal Colonel Pence/Earl Finch/Col Miller: Colin Stinton Sonny: Kurt Kanazawa Boxer/Crooner/Pokey: Conrad Lihilihi

Written by Iris Yamashita Sound design: Richard Gould at Skywalker Sound Recording and mixing: Leon Chambers Original music: Josh Sneesby Consultant: L Stuart Hirai Dramaturg: James Yeatman Broadcast assistant: Teresa Milewski Production co-ordinator: Kate Brook Associate producers: Tim Bell & Rosa Crompton Director: Jessica Dromgoole Producer: Catherine Bailey. Based on an idea by Simon Pitts

A Catherine Bailey production for the BBC World Service

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 soldier/Reporter: Freddy Elletson Grandpa Allan/ Mr Yamada: Clyde Kusatsu Emily: Samantha Dakin Little Ken: Hudson Roberts. Mrs Tanaka/Baachan/Shirley/Li: Tamlyn Tomita Nui Louie/Mr Okimura: Aaron Ikeda Barry/Captain Kim/Private Sasaki/Radio man: Derek Mio Shorty: Raiko Gohara Ohta/Captain Minori: Matt McCooey Drill Sergeant/General Dahlquist: Martin McDougal Colonel Pence/Earl Finch/Col Miller: Colin Stinton Sonny: Kurt Kanazawa Boxer/Crooner/Pokey: Conrad Lihilihi

Written by Iris Yamashita Sound design: Richard Gould at Skywalker Sound Recording and mixing: Leon Chambers Original music: Josh Sneesby Consultant: L Stuart Hirai Dramaturg: James Yeatman Broadcast assistant: Teresa Milewski Production co-ordinator: Kate Brook Associate producers: Tim Bell & Rosa Crompton Director: Jessica Dromgoole Producer: Catherine Bailey. Based on an idea by Simon Pitts

A Catherine Bailey production for the BBC World Service

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/Texan soldier/Reporter: Freddy Elletson Grandpa Allan/ Mr Yamada: Clyde Kusatsu Emily: Samantha Dakin Little Ken: Hudson Roberts. Mrs Tanaka/Baachan/Shirley/Li: Tamlyn Tomita Nui Louie/Mr Okimura: Aaron Ikeda Barry/Captain Kim/Private Sasaki/Radio man: Derek Mio Shorty: Raiko Gohara Ohta/Captain Minori: Matt McCooey Drill Sergeant/General Dahlquist: Martin McDougal Colonel Pence/Earl Finch/Col Miller: Colin Stinton Sonny: Kurt Kanazawa Boxer/Crooner/Pokey: Conrad Lihilihi

Written by Iris Yamashita Sound design: Richard Gould at Skywalker Sound Recording and mixing: Leon Chambers Original music: Josh Sneesby Consultant: L Stuart Hirai Dramaturg: James Yeatman Broadcast assistant: Teresa Milewski Production co-ordinator: Kate Brook Associate producers: Tim Bell & Rosa Crompton Director: Jessica Dromgoole Producer: Catherine Bailey. Based on an idea by Simon Pitts

A Catherine Bailey production for the BBC World Service

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.

Stay right here for more original new drama from the BBC World Service. Purple Heart Warriors is coming soon. It’s 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-nominated Iris Yamashita, it is told in six-parts. You’ll hear the trailer very soon. Make sure you follow or subscribe, so you never miss an episode. And if you want to keep listening to Fukushima, which tells the story of when a tsunami hit the Japanese nuclear plant, it will still be available here too.

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 Pitts for BBC World Service

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

“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 Yevtushenko Commissioned by Simon Pitts for BBC World Service

Audio for this episode was updated on 4 October 2023.

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 Adrian Penketh Sound design is by Peter Ringrose Produced by Toby Swift and Sasha Yevtushenko Commissioned by Simon Pitts for BBC World Service

Audio for this episode was updated on 4 October 2023.

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 Penketh Sound design is by Peter Ringrose Produced by Toby Swift and Sasha Yevtushenko Commissioned by Simon Pitts for BBC World Service

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 by Toby Swift and Sasha Yevtushenko Commissioned by Simon Pitts for BBC World Service

Audio for this episode was updated on 4 October 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 Sound design is by Peter Ringrose Produced by Toby Swift and Sasha Yevtushenko Commissioned by Simon Pitts for BBC World Service

Audio for this episode was updated on 4 October 2023.

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.

A new drama is coming soon.