The Archers Jury Special: Dame Eileen Atkins, Catherine Tate, and Nigel Havers to voice jurors on Helen's case
Graham Seed will also be back on the show
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Your support makes all the difference.In March earlier this year, the harrowing story of Helen and Rob in The Archers came to a dramatic climax as the abused wife stabbed her husband in one last bid for freedom.
Following the traumatic moment, the radio series has predominantly focussed on the domestic abuse storyline and the after effects of that moment. At the current moment, Helen is facing murder charges with the jury (and listeners) having heard supporting evidence from both sides throughout the past week.
The case will conclude Sunday, 11 September, with an hour long episode - the longest in the show’s 65-year history - featuring an all-star cast as the voices of the jury.
First up is Dame Eileen Atkins, best known for her BAFTA and Emmy-winning portrayal of Deborah Jenkyns in Cranford. Nigel Havers of Coronation Street and Chariots of Fire fame will also feature, as will Catherine Tate.
Surprisingly, Graham Seed, who voiced the deceased Nigel Pargetter for 27 years in The Archers, will be taking on a member of the Jury.
He said of coming back to the show: "How lovely to be asked back to be in this special episode. An honour! A very different character to play of course, and the challenge was not to sound like lovely old Nigel Pargetter.”
Other Jurors will be voiced by EastEnders’s actor Rakhee Thakrar, Skins’ Aimee Ffion Edwards, Wolfblood and Strike Back’s Cerith Flynn, and Tam Williams, who previously played Havers’ Chariots of Fire role on stage.
The special episode marks the last with Sean O’Connor as the show’s editor. He said of the bringing back Seed: "I know many Archers listeners still miss Nigel Pargetter and it seemed fitting that in my last ever episode of The Archers as director and editor, I could offer Graham an appearance in the programme - without him actually turning up in the shower like Bobby Ewing in Dallas.”
The Archers Jury Special airs on BBC Radio 4 at 19:00 BST on Sunday 11 September. It will be available on iPlayer soon after.
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