99. Anna Tregorran, Libby Purves and Undercover Agents

Charlotte Smith, presenter of Farming Today and Countryfile, is this week's host, and she's joined by Isobel Middleton, who plays Anna Tregorran.

Charlotte revisits Isobel's first Archers appearance, in a brief but very dramatic medical cameo, and then focuses on her role as Anna, charting her professional success as a barrister and the challenges she faces trying to care for her mother Carol, who is strong-willed and stubborn - rather like Anna herself?

Columnist Libby Purves and Archers writer Keri Davies give their opinions on how Ambridge cares for its oldest, often difficult residents - and why this topic is so resonant now.

Charlotte also looks back at the idea which launched the Archers 75 years ago: the original editor Godfrey Baseley was inspired by a farmer who wanted the BBC to give him a 'farming Dick Barton' - an agricultural radio drama with the cliffhangers he heard in the adventures of special agent Dick Barton. The BBC archives reveal how Godfrey did it.

Keri reminds us that - back in the early 1950s - Ambridge had its own resident secret agent, Mike Daly, a man with an action-packed past. And is anyone operating undercover in the village today? Charlotte and her guests share their suspicions.

Presenter: Charlotte Smith
Producer: Charlotte Davey and John Goudie

Email: thearcherspodcast@bbc.co.uk
WhatsApp: 08000 289 044