History's Heroes

19-year-old Madeleine Riffaud is imprisoned and tortured for assassinating a German officer in broad daylight in Paris. Upon her release, she becomes one of the key players in the French Resistance. How did she do it?

With historians Rick Stroud and Anne Sebba.

Helena Bonham Carter shines a light on extraordinary stories from World War Two. Join her for incredible tales of deception, acts of resistance and courage.

A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.

Producer: Lorna Reader

In the aftermath of the Hiroshima bomb, a minister rushes towards the devastation to save his people. Little does he know that he’ll become a global hero.

With historian Kim Brandt and Koko Kondo, Kiyoshi Tanimoto’s daughter.

Archive of This Is Your Life courtesy of Reelin' In The Years Productions and Ralph Edwards Productions.

Helena Bonham Carter shines a light on extraordinary stories from World War Two. Join her for incredible tales of deception, acts of resistance and courage.

A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.

Producer: Suniti Somaiya

Pamela Churchill, newly married to the Prime Minister’s son, becomes a key diplomatic figure in the war effort. How did she use her charm to help sway U.S. sentiment towards aiding Britain?

With biographer Sonia Purnell and Chris James, Pamela Churchill’s nephew.

Helena Bonham Carter shines a light on extraordinary stories from World War Two. Join her for incredible tales of deception, acts of resistance and courage.

A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.

Producer: Suniti Somaiya

The Ovitz family were a group of theatrical performers from Romania, seven of whom had dwarfism. When their mother was dying she urged them to stick together, guard each other and live for one another. How did they defy the odds and survive Auschwitz?

With actor Warwick Davies, biographer Eilat Negev and historian Warren Rosenblum.

A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.

Producer: Suniti Somaiya

Captured by the Nazis, Lieutenant Airey Neave is sent to Colditz Castle, a high-security prisoner of war camp in Germany. No British prisoner has ever escaped from here before. After months of preparation, and armed with a careful disguise, can he evade the notorious guard patrols and their dogs?

With biographer Patrick Bishop and Marigold Webb, Airey Neave’s daughter.

Helena Bonham Carter shines a light on extraordinary stories from World War Two. Join her for incredible tales of deception, acts of resistance and courage.

A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.

Producer: Suniti Somaiya

In December 1942, a small team of commandos are set to paddle their canoes through freezing enemy-infested waters to sabotage German ships in the port of Bordeaux. Operation Frankton is described as a “suicide mission”. Will Royal Marines Bill Sparks and Herbert ‘Blondie’ Hasler destroy the enemy supply lines and make it back to England alive?

With military historian Robert Lyman, and Terry Sparks, son of Bill Sparks.

Helena Bonham Carter shines a light on extraordinary stories from World War Two. Join her for incredible tales of deception, acts of resistance and courage.

A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.

Producer: Georgina Leslie

Elvira Chaudoir is a Peruvian playgirl with all the right connections… and a gambling debt. She’s also a double agent, locked in a dangerous game of deception. With D-Day on the horizon, can she convince the Germans that the Allied invasion is happening in the southwest of France, and not in Normandy?

With author and historian Ben Macintyre and Sophie Stewart from the National Archives.

Helena Bonham Carter shines a light on extraordinary stories from World War II. Join her for incredible tales of deception, acts of resistance and courage.

A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.

Producer: Lorna Reader

Helena Bonham Carter shines a light on extraordinary stories from World War Two. Join her for tales of deception, resistance and courage in History's Secret Heroes Series 4.

In 1950, a trial began for a gruesome murder, marking the first time a woman would lead a murder case in an English court. Can Rose Heilbron QC prove herself?

Stories of bold voices, with brave ideas and the courage to stand alone. Historian Alex von Tunzelmann shines a light on remarkable people from across history.

A BBC Studios production.

Producer: Georgina Leslie

Disaster strikes when Washington Roebling is building a landmark suspension bridge connecting Manhattan to Brooklyn. Can his wife Emily help him deliver an impossible engineering feat?

Stories of bold voices, with brave ideas and the courage to stand alone. Historian Alex von Tunzelmann shines a light on remarkable people from across history.

A BBC Studios Audio production.

Producer: Lorna Reader