The Archers spoilers thread #10: Can't wait for 7.02pm? Join us here!

[Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g]

Spoilers thread for The Archers. All Archers listeners are welcome here, whether you post on our main Archers thread or not. There's just one rule: please keep all spoiler-related discussion in this thread and do not spill the beans on the main Archers thread.

Last thread: https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/radio_addicts/5071889-the-archers-spoilers-thread-9-cant-wait-for-702pm-join-us-here

Right! Round up of all spoilers I've found for the next few weeks.

5th January – 10th January 2025
05 Jan David receives some interesting information, and Jolene makes a rash decision.
06 Jan Brad has a confession to make, and there’s backtracking at the Bull.
07 Jan Harrison finds himself in a delicate situation, and Lily takes matters into her own hands.
08 Jan Leonard faces an emotional day, and there’s a surprise for Ben.
09 Jan Harrison reaches a crossroads, and there’s good news at Brookfield.
10 Jan Emotions run high for Fallon, and Henry is on a mission.

Writer: Shaun McKenna
Director: Peter Leslie Wild
Editor: Jeremy Howe

Ben Archer…. Ben Norris
David Archer…. Timothy Bentinck
Henry Archer…. Blayke Darby
Jolene Archer…. Bufffy Davis
Kenton Archer…. Richard Attlee
Ruth Archer…. Felicity Finch
Leonard Berry…. Paul Copley
Harrison Burns…. James Cartwright
Justin Elliot…. Simon Williams
Brad Horrobin…. Taylor Uttley
Tracy Horrobin…. Susie Riddell
Khalil Malik…. Krish Bassi
Kirsty Miller…. Annabelle Dowler
Lily Pargetter…. Katie Redford
Fallon Rogers…. Joanna Van Kampen
Inspector Norris…. Bharti Patel
Scarlett…. Beatrice White

Radio Times Ambridge Diary 5-10 January
Leonard is knocked sideways by some emotional news and all does not go well when he faces a difficult day with the Brookfield family standing by his side. Harrison has to fight to keep his emotions in check when he faces a challenging callout, but then receives a surprising offer from his superior. Lily takes matters into her own hands when Brad tells her he's struggling, Jolene makes a rash decision at The Bull, and Khalil's mouth runs away with him.

12th January – 17th January 2025
12.1 Justin faces a dilemma, and plans forge ahead for Ruth.
13.1 Joy isn’t herself at all, and Helen considers her options.
14.1 Rex is left confused, and Neil has questions.
15.1 The verdict is in for Kirsty, and Brian finds himself out of his comfort zone.
16.1 Emotions run high at Beechwood, and Adam offers the benefit of his experience.
17.1 Mick’s feelings are hurt, and Tom faces a tricky negotiation.

Writer: Liz John
Director: Jessica Bunch
Editor: Jeremy Howe

Brian Aldridge…. Charles Collingwood
Helen Archer…. Louiza Patikas
Tom Archer…. William Troughton
Ruth Archer…. Felicity Finch
Neil Carter…. Brian Hewlett
Susan Carter…. Charlotte Martin
Justin Elliott…. Simon Williams
Miranda Elliott…. Lucy Fleming
Mick Fadmoor…. Martin Barrass
Rex Fairbrother…. Nick Barber
Joy Horville…. Jackie Lye
Adam Macy…. Andrew Wincott
Azra Malik…. Yasmin Wilde
Kirsty Miller…. Annabelle Dowler

19th January - 24th January 2025
19 Jan The Carters debate the next step, and plans come together for Joy.
20 Jan Vince hatches a plan, and alliances are tested for Stella.
21 Jan It’s a life-changing day for one resident, and a seed is planted for Emma.
22 Jan Freddie faces an uncertain future, and Pip’s evening takes a surprising turn.
23 Jan Josh attempts to stir the pot, and Elizabeth considers her options.
24 Jan Disaster strikes for Joy, and Ben fears he has overshared.

Writer: Katie Hims
Director: Pip Swallow
Editor: Jeremy Howe

Brian Aldridge…. Charles Collingwood
Ben Archer…. Ben Norris
Josh Archer…. Angus Imrie
Pip Archer…. Daisy Badger
Neil Carter…. Brian Hewlett
Susan Carter…. Charlotte Martin
Vince Casey…. Tony Turner
Emma Grundy…. Emerald O‘Hanrahan
Joy Horville…. Jackie Lye
Zainab Malik…. Priyasasha Kumari
Elizabeth Pargetter…. Alison Dowling
Freddie Pargetter…. Toby Laurence
Lily Pargetter…. Katie Redford
Stella Pryor…. Lucy Speed
Fallon Rogers…. Joanna Van Kampen
Nelly…. Jill Baker <<<<< Professor, Dr, Mrs, Ms or Miss Bun the Baker's Wife/Daughter?

I just hate it when people (and often actors surprisingly) go on about nepotism in law, finance, medicine but seem to turn a blind eye to it in their own profession

The problem with Nepotism is sometimes it's not being given chances that are not open to others. It can just be understanding a profession and believing you could make money from it. Victoria Coren Mitchell once said that her father gave her the knowledge that you could make money by writing columns for Newspapers.
I'm a Civil Servant, and the Covil Service tries had to open recruitment to all. But my children have much more ideas of the wide variety of things that Civil Servants do, as well as if they choose to apply I can help explain some of the language and signpost them to useful YouTube videos.
The same as growing up around Doctors and Nurses can help you understand the medical world.
Or a friends children who have ended up in Aviation, who had the confidence to apply as their Dad was a pilot.

@MollyButton , that isn't nepotism. Nepotism is when someone would open a door for you because you were Allen Corrin's or whoever's, child, regardless of merit.

The advantage your DC, Vicky Corrin and the pilot's DC had is what disadvantages children from lower socio-economic groups.

Yes it’s very likely kids will follow their parents but they also get opportunities - work experience for example that they can put on their cv

and in acting it gets a foot in the door which is almost impossible for kids with no connections

Thanks @Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g and Happy New Thread.

The 🔮 says that Harrison is going to be offered a position policing wildlife crime. This will be convenient for investigating the sudden influx of beavers.

But that isn't strictly nepotism. Creating a job for Vicky because her father was famous, or recruiting Vicky instead of the equally or more talented Nicky who doesn't have a famous parent, would be.

Having contacts opens doors. If you don't have the contacts or background, you're less likely to know what is available and how to get there.

I can think of an actor, who is relatively unremarkable, but his father was incredibly talented. Now I know who he is, I see him differently. It's a lot to live up to. I've no idea if he got into acting because of who his father was, and his father died very young, so it wouldn't be because daddy pulled strings.

Is there any wildlife crime in Borsetshire (yet)? Unless Dame Celia Molestrangler has retired to Penny Hassett ....

Badger slaughter has been known to happen... (grin)

It’s not about the parent pulling strings either. I remember reading someone say that they tasked they parents help for anything but at a party they had approached the director themselves. They didn’t get that even being at the party was a massive leg up!

@BoreOfWhabylon , Harrison will definitely be involved in Beavergate.

The reuniting of Neiyull and Nelly will come along remarkably quickly.

@Gonners wasn't HWMNBN involved in hare-coursing? There was also the Markie malarkey - might that be related to lamping? Probably a bit of fly-tipping and theft of machinery, going on too.

Can Harrison be collateral damage? And gallons dilemma be over whether or not to switch off life support?

I actually do think it would be good to have more wildlife/rural crime SLs. I'd be happy for Harrison to stick around if they did this.

FondantFancyAnyone
wasn't HWMNBN involved in hare-coursing?

It was dog-fighting, and he was awf'ly upset about having to clear up the bits of dead dog afterwards.

I don't know whether that is actually counted as wildlife crime.

Now wondering about all the big acting dynasties to think of an unremarkable child of a brilliant parent ...

I think there has to be an element of inherited talent, though. Nature, nurture, bit of both, who knows.

Giles coren!! I know not acting…

I'm sure there’s inherited talent but surely the same goes for bankers and lawyers?

I liked Alan Coren on The News Quiz. I can't stand Giles. He has far too high an opinion of himself. VCM is OK but still rather annoying. I doubt either of them would have had the careers they have without the Coren name.

I think inherited talent might be stronger when it comes to acting, music, painting, storytelling and other creative things. Also anything that involves mathematical aptitude and skill. I have no evidence whatsoever to back this up, mind you.

@Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g , there is no dynasty AFAIK. The father was a huge star in his native country, where the son is an actor. It would compare to something like if Eric Morecambe had died much, much younger and his then young son had been in Emmerdale for decades.

I tried to not directly mention VCM and her repulsive brother. I don't find their columns entertaining, but I don't dislike her in shows. The family name definitely would have opened doors.

I agree about inherited talent being more to do with creative talents, but the nature and nurture would probably apply in careers like law and finance.

And yes, being at the party would have been a leg up. There are also things like unpaid internships that slam doors shut for those young people whose parents can't fund them.

Edited as I got the initials in the wrong order.

Absolutely nothing to do with The Archers or nepotism but I learned from a Times article today that Alvin Stardust's son, Shaun Fenton, is the headmaster of Reigate Grammar School which topped The Times 2025 list of independent schools in England and Wales.

I loved Alan Coren - Punch was terrific under his editorship - and like VCM. Shame her brother seems to have dodged the sense-of-humour gene, but he is easily avoided.

One of my best friends (and ex-boss) became a lawyer because it was "expected" that he would join the family firm. He wanted to be an architect. (Amusingly, he once said that if only he hadn't hired me, but instead had asked me out to dinner, his life would have been very different! I pointed out that I'd probably have been too pissed off at not getting the job to accept.)

Bet he only got the job because of who his father was.

There are some freuds who don’t seem particularly great and I’m sure there are other people who would do just as good, if not better, a job

Some MPs don't use their position to get away with child sexual abuse, as a for instance.

Can Harrison be collateral damage? And gallons dilemma be over whether or not to switch off life support?
Gallon! Great name for a publican's daughter.

Very late to new thread!

Thanks, @Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g!

Thanks for the thread, and the useful roundup of spoilers in the OP!