Miriam and Youssef

By BBC World ServiceFiction Drama

Miriam and Youssef episodes

July 01, 2020 Ep 10. Birth of a Nation
1948. The final episode of the epic drama. With the UN voting to establish a Jewish state, Israel is born – but the new state comes under attack from its Arab neighbours. The final episode of the epic drama series.
Written by Steve Waters
CAST
Youssef: Amir El-Masry
Miriam: Shani Erez
Yehoshua: Philip Arditti
Ben-Gurion: Elliot Levey
Musa Alami: Sargon Yelda
Judah Magnes: Neil McCaul
The Palestinian woman: Nathalie Armin
Other parts: Heather Craney, Clive Hayward and Hasan Dixon
Original music: Glenn Sharp
Sound design: Caleb Knightley
Produced by Radio Drama London for BBC World Service
28 min
June 24, 2020 Ep 9. Death of a Village
The epic drama series continues. 1948. Miriam and Youssef try to hold on to their ideals of peace as violence erupts following the UN vote for the partition of Palestine, and Deir Yassin comes under attack.
Written by Steve Waters
CAST
Miriam: Shani Erez
Youssef: Amir El-Masry
Yehoshua: Philip Arditti
Zahra: Lara Sawalha
Musa Alami: Sargon Yelda
Mohammed: Ramzi Dehani
The Haganath Major: Clive Hayward
Other parts: Hasan Dixon, Steve Waters and members of the cast
Original music: Glenn Sharp
Sound design: Caleb Knightley
Produced by Radio Drama London for BBC World Service
30 min
June 17, 2020 Ep 8. Partition
1947. A vote is due to take place at the UN, proposing that Palestine be divided into two states, with Jerusalem held under international jurisdiction. But this does not meet with everyone’s approval. The drama continues.
Written by Steve Waters
CAST
Youssef: Amir El-Masry
Miriam: Shani Erez
Yehoshua: Philip Arditti
Ben-Gurion: Elliot Levey
Zahra: Lara Sawalha
Musa Alami: Sargon Yelda
Mohammed: Ramzi Dehani
Judah Magnes: Neil McCaul
Other parts: Jessica Turner, Steve Waters and Sargon Yelda
Original music: Glenn Sharp
Sound design: Caleb Knightley
Produced by Radio Drama London for BBC World Service
29 min
June 10, 2020 Ep 7. The Warning
Episode seven of the drama. 1946. Elected headman of Deir Yassin Youssef promises peace with their kibbutz neighbours. Meanwhile, a bomb has been placed in British headquarters - the King David Hotel.
Written by Steve Waters
CAST
Miriam: Shani Erez
Youssef: Amir El-Masry
Yehoshua: Philip Arditti
Ben-Gurion: Elliot Levey
Harry Lister: Blake Ritson
Zahra: Lara Sawalha
Menachim Begin: Daniel Rabin
Other parts: Hasan Dixon and Clive Hayward
Original music: Glenn Sharp
Sound design: Caleb Knightley
Produced by Radio Drama London for BBC World Service
29 min
June 03, 2020 Ep 6. The Death Ships
1942. Thousands of European Jews attempt to flee persecution from war in unsuitable boats - but the British refuse permission for them to land in Palestine. Meanwhile, Miriam takes up the armed struggle in earnest. Episode six of the drama.
Written by Steve Waters
CAST
Youssef: Amir El-Masry
Miriam: Shani Erez
Yehoshua: Philip Arditti
Ben-Gurion: Elliot Levey
Zahra: Lara Sawalha
Harry Lister: Blake Ritson
Mohammed: Ramzi Dehani
Menachim Begin: Daniel Rabin
Other parts: Heather Craney and Hasan Dixon
Original music: Glenn Sharp
Sound design: Caleb Knightley
Produced by Radio Drama London for BBC World Service
29 min
May 27, 2020 Ep 5. The Revolt
1936. Arabs declare a general strike and a dangerous armed uprising begins, while Miriam finds herself drawn to take more direct action against the British. The epic drama continues.
Written by Steve Waters
CAST
Miriam: Shani Erez
Youssef: Amir El-Masry
Yehoshua: Philip Arditti
Zahra: Lara Sawalha
Harry Lister: Blake Ritson
Mahmoud: Daniel Rabin
McMasters: Neil McCaul
Other parts played by Sargon Yelda, Hasan Dixon and members of the cast
Original music: Glenn Sharp
Sound design: Caleb Knightley
Produced by Radio Drama London for BBC World Service
29 min
May 20, 2020 Ep 4. Betrayal
1934. Youssef visits his father in prison – a visit that will change his life forever
Meanwhile Miriam, with her mentor Rabbi Judah Magnes, is working for a ‘one nation, two states’ solution. Episode 4 of the drama.
Written by Steve Waters
CAST
Youssef: Amir El-Masry
Miriam: Shani Erez
Yehoshua: Philip Arditti
Ben-Gurion: Elliot Levey
Abu Khalid: Rami Nasr
Zahra: Lara Sawalha
Harry Lister: Blake Ritson
The Mufti: Dana Haqjoo
Musa Alami: Sargon Yelda
Judah Magnes: Neil McCaul
Other parts: Jessica Turner and Hasan Dixon
Original music: Glenn Sharp
Sound design: Caleb Knightley
Produced by Radio Drama London for BBC World Service
30 min
May 13, 2020 Ep 3. The Holy Places
1929. The drama series continues. Tensions boil in Jerusalem. Arabs and Jews feel they are being denied access to holy sites. Both take to the streets in protest - and the ruling British seem powerless to prevent blood being spilt in the holy city.
Written by Steve Waters
CAST
Miriam: Shani Erez
Youssef: Amir El-Masry
Young Miriam: Ava Merson-O’Brien
Young Youssef: Jo Ben Ayed
Sara: Jessica Turner
Yehoshua: Philip Arditti
Abu Khalid: Rami Nasr
Zahra: Lara Sawalha
Harry Lister: Blake Ritson
Mahmoud: Daniel Rabin
The Mufti: Dana Haqjoo
Major Dennis: Clive Hayward
Judah Magnes: Neil McCaul
The Rabbi: Elliot Levey
Other parts: Heather Craney and Hasan Dixon
Original music: Glenn Sharp
Sound design: Caleb Knightley
Produced by Radio Drama London for BBC World Service
28 min
April 22, 2020 Introducing Miriam and Youssef
An epic ten-part podcast drama series from the BBC World Service charts the turbulent decades leading up to the founding of Israel.
3 min

About Miriam and Youssef

From the publisher's feed

A 10-part drama about the founding of Israel. Miriam is a Jewish immigrant to Palestine, and Youssef is an Arab inhabitant driven into exile. At the heart of it all is the city of Jerusalem.