Alvin Bragg, Manhattan's district attorney, is making history and headlines by bringing criminal charges against Donald Trump. It's the first time a former American President has been indicted.

The first African-American to hold the office of New York District Attorney, Alvin Bragg is the single child of middle class parents. He was born and brought up in Harlem, although he attended an elite private school on New York's Upper West Side before going to Harvard to study Law. Despite his private education, Bragg was no stranger to the danger on the city's streets in the 1980s; he had guns pointed at him by both the police and a suspected drug dealer.

Adrian Goldberg speaks to friends and colleagues of Alvin Bragg about his rise to the job of district attorney in his home town, and how he'll manage the historic case against Donald Trump.

Presenter: Adrian Goldberg

Newly-elected leader of the SNP, Humza Yousaf, has become First Minister of Scotland at the age of just 37.

The Glaswegian showed community spirit from a young age, fundraising for charity and broadcasting for community station Radio Ramadan, before a political awakening that led to a speedy rise up the ranks of his party and into office.

Humza Yousaf has taken on some difficult government briefs, as well as some flak, but now he faces the challenge of a political lifetime: healing divisions in the SNP, improving public services and trying to deliver the party's dream of independence.

Mark Coles talks to friends, family and colleagues to try to find out more about the first ethnic-minority leader of a devolved government.

PRODUCTION TEAM

Presenter: Mark Coles

Baroness Louise Casey has this week delivered an excoriating review into the standards of behaviour and internal culture of the Metropolitan Police. It’s just the latest of a series of tough reports issued by Casey during a career tackling deep-rooted social issues, including homelessness and anti-social behaviour.

Casey is now a cross-bench peer and go-to troubleshooter for governments of all stripes, but her route to the top of public life has been unconventional.

Profile speaks to close friends and colleagues of a civil servant known for her fearlessness and no-nonsense style.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Shadow chancellor and former economist Rachel Reeves, who was a national chess champion aged 14.

Scottish screenwriter Lesley Paterson’s debut film, All Quiet on the Western Front, has won seven BAFTAs and has nine Oscar nominations, including Best Adapted Screenplay. It took her and co-writer Ian Stokell sixteen years to get their script to screen, with Netflix and German director, Edward Berger.

On the way, Paterson competed in extreme off-road triathlons, winning five world titles and putting the prize money towards the adaptation rights for the novel. Now the movie is winning awards and provoking debate among critics.

Timandra Harkness talks to family, friends and colleagues about Paterson’s childhood going to ballet classes with knees still muddy from rugby, her journey from Stirling to Hollywood, and how her drive to win has got her through every challenge.

Presenter: Timandra Harkness

Born in Jamaica to parents who were both doctors, Professor Dame Angela McLean was fascinated by science from a young age. After studying maths at university, her PhD thesis involved pioneering work on measles. She’s also done ground-breaking research into HIV/AIDS. During the coronavirus pandemic, Dame Angela played a key role drawing up advice for the government.

Mark Coles speaks to friends, family and colleagues to find out more about the ‘no-nonsense’, straight-talking scientist who loves theatre, birdwatching and campfires.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Born in London, to Jamaican parents who came to Britain as part of the 1950s Windrush generation, Shirley J. Thompson fell in love with music from a very young age – and it has remained her life’s passion. She’s created music for film, TV, orchestras and opera. Mark Coles talks to family and friends to find out what influences her work.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Irish actor Barry Keoghan spent most of his childhood in foster homes, losing his mother to addiction issues when he was just 12-years-old. He found his passion for acting after answering a casting notice for a short indie film in his local shop window.

Keoghan was so determined to succeed that he’s often made his own audition tapes to send to studios. Praised by directors for his natural talent, Keoghan has risen from starring in the Irish drama series ‘Love/Hate’ as a ‘cat killer’ in 2013, to the current hit ‘The Banshees of Inisherin’. His moving performance as the comical yet heart-breaking Dominic is wowing critics.

So can Barry Keoghan take home all the awards this year? Mark Coles speaks to his friends, colleagues and teachers about his rise from the streets of Summerhill in Dublin to success in Hollywood.

Credits

Ireland Unfiltered with Dion Fanning

In the Envelope: The Actor’s Podcast

The Banshees of Inisherin

Between the Canals

Dunkirk

Hairspray

Presenter: Mark Coles

Health Secretary, Steve Barclay, spent his gap year serving with the Royal Fusiliers. Now he finds himself in the line of fire from striking health workers, in a long-running dispute over pay. His job is to somehow find a solution to the row, without adding to the Treasury’s headaches.

Can this rugby-loving sky-diver rise to the challenge? Adrian Goldberg talks to family and friends to find out why some Whitehall officials tremble under his forensic questioning – and why he’s been likened to popular TV detective, Columbo.

Presenter: Adrian Goldberg

The naturalist, broadcaster, author and campaigner has announced he is taking a three-month sabbatical from his TV work to give himself some ‘brain space’.

After rising to prominence in the 1980s as a presenter on the BBC children's TV programme The Really Wild Show, Chris Packham has spent nearly four decades exploring and explaining the natural world on our screens. Along the way he's written books, fronted numerous environmental campaigns, and also raised awareness of living with Asperger's Syndrome.

Mark Coles hears from Chris Packham's family, friends and colleagues about his life and career.

Presenter: Mark Coles