
History's Heroes
History's Heroes: the BBC's breathtaking, high stakes, story-led history podcast feed that shines a light on extraordinary people from across history.
Series include 'History's Heroes' with narration from Historian Alex von Tunzelmann, 'History's Youngest Heroes' with narration from Nicola Coughlan and 'History's Secret Heroes' with narration from Helena Bonham Carter.
In History's Heroes, Historian Alex von Tunzelmann (Radio 4's The History Podcast: The Lucan Obsession/writer of all the History's Heroes series) shines a light on the inspiring and unusual stories of courage, pioneering and people who used their voice to spark change. Heroes covered include groundbreaking surgeon Harold Gillies, composers Rodgers and Hammerstein and swimming champion Gertrude Ederle. Join Alex for stories of bold voices, with brave ideas and the courage to stand alone.
In History's Youngest Heroes, actress Nicola Coughlan (Bridgerton, Derry Girls) tells twelve true stories of rebellion, risk and the radical power of youth. Before she became a Hollywood star, how did the young Audrey Hepburn take on the Nazis during World War Two? As a young activist, how did Nelson Mandela attempt to overthrow the South African government to end apartheid? Did Queen of England, Lady Jane Grey give up her faith or face the executioner's axe? Why did Terry Fox, a young man with a prosthetic leg, set out to run the length of Canada? Join Nicola to hear inspiring tales of young heroes both famous and forgotten, whose bravery demonstrates how young people can change history.
In History's Secret Heroes, Helena Bonham Carter recounts untold stories of heroes from World War Two whose acts of resistance, deception and courage helped defeat fascism. In each episode, Helena shines a light on the spies, Royal Air Force pilots, army officers, prisoners of war and double agents who risked their lives to save others. Learn all about forgotten stories of survival, bravery and espionage - from the opera singers who helped dozens of Jewish people escape Nazi Germany, to the woman that Winston Churchill would go on to call his favourite spy.
Previous episodes have looked at the story of the American actor George Takei (Star Trek), who was imprisoned without trial along with 12,000 other Japanese Americans, and Bela Hazan, a young Jewish woman who went undercover at the Gestapo headquarters to fight against the Nazis. From secret missions behind enemy lines in occupied Europe, to underground resistance movements across Germany, France, Poland, Great Britain and beyond, History's Secret Heroes reveals how ordinary people can make an extraordinary impact.
Join Alex, Nicola and Helena for tales of deception, rebellion, risk and courage.
Episodes (50)

William Dodd Fights the Factories

Jessica Mitford Finds Her Voice

Xuanzang Levels Up

The Fairytale Life of Hans Christian Andersen

BONUS: Gertrude Ederle Ruling The Waves Part 2

Gertrude Ederle: Ruling The Waves

Eglantyne Jebb Saves The Children

Cardinal Sin and the Bandit Radio

BONUS: Saving Face With Harold Gillies Part 2

Rodgers & Hammerstein in the South Pacific

Katharine Hepburn: Queen of the Screen

Saving Face with Harold Gillies

Trailer

History's Secret Heroes: Series 3: Ita Ekpenyon and the Blitz

History's Secret Heroes: Series 3: Agent Zo's Leap of Faith

History's Secret Heroes: Series 3: Dudley Clarke: The Great Deceiver
Helena Bonham Carter shines a light...

History's Secret Heroes: Series 3: Leif Larsen and the Shetland Bus

History's Secret Heroes: Series 3: The Night Witches

History's Secret Heroes: Series 3: Operation Anthropoid

History's Secret Heroes: Series 3: The Salon Albahari
Helena Bonham Carter shines a light on extraordinary stories from World War Two. Join...

History's Secret Heroes: Series 3: Witold Pilecki: The Infiltrator

History's Secret Heroes: Series 3: Curt Bloch and the Underwater Cabaret

History's Secret Heroes: Series 3: Noor Khan: The Operator

History's Secret Heroes: Series 3: Trailer

History's Youngest Heroes: Terry Fox’s Marathon of Hope

History's Youngest Heroes: Hans and Sophie Scholl and the White Rose

History's Youngest Heroes: Vasily Arkhipov and the End of Days

History's Youngest Heroes: The Grisly World of Andreas Vesalius

History's Youngest Heroes: Rani Lakshmi Bai: The Warrior Queen

History's Youngest Heroes: The Visionary Julian of Norwich

History's Youngest Heroes: Louis Braille: Code Maker

History's Youngest Heroes: St Francis of Assisi: Teen Rebel

History's Youngest Heroes: Audrey Hepburn’s Teenage Resistance

History's Youngest Heroes: Grace Darling: Maiden of the Sea

History's Youngest Heroes: The Brief Reign of Lady Jane

History's Youngest Heroes: Nelson Mandela and the Defiance Campaign

History's Youngest Heroes: Trailer

History's Secret Heroes: Series 2: Manfred Gans and X Troop

History's Secret Heroes: Series 2: The Enigmatic Emily Anderson

History's Secret Heroes: Series 2: Andrée De Jongh and the Comet Line

History's Secret Heroes: Series 2: Charles Drew and the Blood Bank

History's Secret Heroes: Series 2: Raymond Gurême: Escape Artist

History's Secret Heroes: Series 2: Josefina Guerrero: The Maid of Manila

History's Secret Heroes: Series 2: The Unbreakable Navajo Code

History's Secret Heroes: Series 2: Christine Granville: The Spy Who Skied In From The Cold

History's Secret Heroes: Series 2: Flying High with Johnny Smythe

History's Secret Heroes: Series 2: The Extraordinary Cook Sisters

History's Secret Heroes: Series 2: Trailer

History's Secret Heroes: Series 1: Arslan Rezniqi and the Besa Code
