The Archers spoilers thread #12: 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.

We usually add the BBC teasers and cast lists for forthcoming episodes as they become available, plus the Radio Times and other previews when possible. Feel free to add anything else you come across, e.g. cast news, scriptwriter tweets!

True, it could also be Richard.

But we deserve some entertainment in Ambridge …

Long-term or retrospective grief for Richard, who has been dead for a while?

@Gonners , usually the death of the character occurs months after the actor dies. Jill has been a major character for 68 years, so they, and we, will want it to befit the character.

I’m probably wrong, but did they say that HRH Sophie did her recording in early May (so probably about 9 or 10 weeks ago)? I know they can slip emergency alterations in at the last minute, but I imagine they need a lead time of 5-6 months to flex the storylines for the death of the matriarch.

Presumably we will get at least a week’s worth of Jill-related tributes, though I do seem to remember that one if the writers mentioned that they have a set of “filler weeks” that they can drop in/remove without really affecting anything.

In any event I fear that we are in for a sad Autumn.

Paddy Greene hasn't actually appeared in TA for quite some time, though, has she? I think it was last September when she delivered her final hoot.

I wonder if it will turn out that Harrison's undercover work involved him getting into a relationship with someone he was investigating?

Dreadful news below. We have a couple of weeks to brace ourselves.

2.8 Jazzer makes a controversial suggestion, and Jolene isn’t sure where to turn.
3.8 Neil finds himself run ragged, and Ed is caught in the middle.
4.8 Bert comes a cropper, and the Grundys have a brainwave.
5.8 There’s heartbreak in store for Chelsea, and Brian puts his foot down.
6.8 One resident faces an emergency dash, and Brad is keen to help.
7.8 Keira makes a surprising discovery, and Kenton is forced to acknowledge an issue close to home.

Writer: Shaun McKenna
Director: Marina Caldarone
Editor: Jeremy Howe

Brian Aldridge … Charles Collingwood
Jolene Archer … Buffy Davis
Kenton Archer … Richard Attlee
Harrison Burns … James Cartwright
Neil Carter … Brian Hewlett
Amber Gordon … Olivia Bernstone
Ed Grundy … Barry Farrimond
Eddie Grundy … Trevor Harrison
George Grundy … Angus Stobie
Keira Grundy … Mollie Kruczek
Bert Horrobin … David Sterne
Brad Horrobin … Taylor Uttley
Joy Horville … Jackie Lye
Jazzer McCreary … Ryan Kelly
Fallon Rogers … Joanna Van Kampen

Damn … 😄

But also, is the horse box about to be stolen, or vandalised, or just burnt to a cinder? There’s been so much talk of how much work Chelsea and Jazzer have put into it, and how good it looks now.

Thanks, @Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g.

@Madcats ,I don't think they'd go there. I think Fallon finds there's an OW. Possibly one upduffed by Sgt Burns. Here's hoping.

The emergency alterations are topical inserts. They are usually regarding real life events that are too big to ignore. I can't remember the last one. The death of QIIE maybe?

It might be the anniversary of his death, or his birthday. His death occurred before Carol and Anna returned to the programme so I don't think we know anything much about it. If we do, I've forgotten it.

Hmm … Wrong person, similar-(ish) idea.

Nah, who am I kidding? Completely wrong!

I will happily tolerate all manner of storylines that remind us that Lower Loxley exists and Freddie has inherited it (even if he is absent and has bought in managers). Where is he, BTW?

Wot I reckon is that Freddie has fallen into a sausage-meat mincer and nobody has noticed. Poor Freddie - I rather like him.

So … Is Jolene going to be devastated by Fallon jumping ship, or by Kenton deciding to retire?

Fallon’s response to Harrison, when he said he thought she’d take over The Bull, was Yeahbutnobutthatwontbeforcenturies. If Kenton decides he can’t go on, and Jolene follows him - sort of now - then Fallon might be torn.

I want her to end up in a good situation - but I cannot for the life of me see why Elizabeth would offer directorship of an entire arts venture to her, rather than Lily or Freddie.

Imagine Freddie, and his returning one true love, Johnnie, running The Cruck Barn Centre together. 🎉

Call me a fool, but I’ve only just realised the teasers must have been written by AI for several years now …

Ambridge Diary 25 - 31 July
Shocking news! Lynda Snell (MBE) fears she may be in over her head with the fête over the decision to charge for entry. Whatever next, somebody ordering a pint of ale other than Shires at the Bull? Meanwhile Harrison and Fallon have reverted to type over recent events, and while he spirals, Jolene's attempts to help have the opposite effect. At the Carters, Chris is furious after Bert makes an error of judgement.
David Crawford (who I think wrote some episodes around Christmas?)

I don't think he can have done; he doesn't seem to have been in the cast and crew lists in the Radio Times, and the writers generally are.

So Susan and Neil are going from it just being the two of them, to them, Bert, Chris and Martha? Great 🙄.

I found this:

Madcats · 15/05/2026 09:41
Radio Times 17- 22 May
The insufferable Bert is still causing trouble at the Horribins' - Tracy isn't the only one who wishes he went back to being silent. Another cantankerous, yet more sympathetis, character, Carol, is pushing Leonard to use the diplomatic skills of Kofi Annan as he navigates the Tregorran familial tensions. Brad struggles to work out whether the renewed interest from Den can be trusted and Adam steels himself for the Home Farm partnership meeting, where long suppressed resentments erupt and the future is thrown into uncertainty.
David Crawford

6.8 One resident faces an emergency dash

I'm hoping that's Joy doing a dash to Rochelle's deathbed, maybe just in time before Rochelle pops her clogs. I really don't want to hear Rochelle ever again.

I’m still betting the crisis will be horse box related.

Round up.

26th July – 31st July 2026
Sun 26/7 Jolene is left devastated, and Chris attempts a recruitment.
27/7 Fallon has concerns for a loved one, and the summer fete causes controversy.
28/7 There’s an awkward moment for Alice, and Harrison seeks the advice of a mate.
29/7 Chris takes it a step too far, and Fallon puts her foot down.
30/7 Tempers flare for the Carter family, and Lynda has a brainwave.
31/7 Harrison doesn’t know where to turn, and Neil attempts to keep the peace.

Writer: Tim Stimpson
Director: Pip Swallow
Editor: Jeremy Howe

Jolene Archer … Buffy Davis
Kenton Archer … Richard Attlee <<<<< Kenton's still alive then!
Harrison Burns … James Cartwright
Alice Carter … Hollie Chapman
Chris Carter … Wilf Scolding
Neil Carter … Brian Hewlett
Susan Carter …Charlotte Martin
Rex Fairbrother … Nick Barber
Alan Franks … John Telfer
Ed Grundy … Barry Farrimond
Bert Horrobin … David Sterne
Brad Horrobin … Taylor Uttley
Fallon Rogers … Joanna Van Kampen
Lynda Snell … Carole Boyd
Robert Snell … Michael Bertenshaw
Lottie Summers … Bonnie Baddoo

Ambridge Diary 25 - 31 July
Shocking news! Lynda Snell (MBE) fears she may be in over her head with the fête over the decision to charge for entry. Whatever next, somebody ordering a pint of ale other than Shires at the Bull? Meanwhile Harrison and Fallon have reverted to type over recent events, and while he spirals, Jolene's attempts to help have the opposite effect. At the Carters, Chris is furious after Bert makes an error of judgement.

2nd August – 7th August 2026
2.8 Jazzer makes a controversial suggestion, and Jolene isn’t sure where to turn.
3.8 Neil finds himself run ragged, and Ed is caught in the middle.
4.8 Bert comes a cropper, and the Grundys have a brainwave.
5.8 There’s heartbreak in store for Chelsea, and Brian puts his foot down.
6.8 One resident faces an emergency dash, and Brad is keen to help.
7.8 Keira makes a surprising discovery, and Kenton is forced to acknowledge an issue close to home.

Writer: Shaun McKenna
Director: Marina Caldarone
Editor: Jeremy Howe

Brian Aldridge … Charles Collingwood
Jolene Archer … Buffy Davis
Kenton Archer … Richard Attlee
Harrison Burns … James Cartwright
Neil Carter … Brian Hewlett
Amber Gordon … Olivia Bernstone
Ed Grundy … Barry Farrimond
Eddie Grundy … Trevor Harrison
George Grundy … Angus Stobie
Keira Grundy … Mollie Kruczek
Bert Horrobin … David Sterne
Brad Horrobin … Taylor Uttley
Joy Horville … Jackie Lye
Jazzer McCreary … Ryan Kelly
Fallon Rogers … Joanna Van Kampen

9th August – 14th August 2026
Sun 9th Aug - There’s controversy at the summer fête, and Alan finds himself in trouble.
Mon 10th Aug - Heartbreak is in store for Lynda, and Freddie has his nose put out of joint.
Tue 11th Aug - Robert struggles to stay positive, and Alistair finds himself in a difficult position.
Wed 12th Aug - Carol continues to cause problems, and Lily makes a friend.
Thu 13th Aug - David is offered a choice, and Freddie attempts to make his mark.
Fri 14th Aug - A decision is reached at Brookfield, and Amber finds herself on the spot.

Writer: Liz John
Director: Marina Caldarone
Editor: Jeremy Howe

David Archer … Timothy Bentinck
Ruth Archer … Felicity Finch
Lilian Bellamy … Sunny Ormonde
Leonard Berry … Paul Copley
Harrison Burns … James Cartwright
Alan Franks … John Telfer
Amber Gordon … Olivia Bernstone
Keira Grundy … Mollie Kruczek
Chelsea Horrobin … Madeleine Leslay
Alistair Lloyd … Michael Lumsden
Khalil Malik … Krish Bassi
Elizabeth Pargetter … Alison Dowling
Freddie Pargetter … Toby Laurence
Lily Pargetter … Katie Redford
Fallon Rogers … Joanna Van Kampen
Lynda Snell … Carole Boyd
Robert Snell … Michael Bertenshaw
Anna Tregorran … Isobel Middleton
Carol Tregorran … Mia Soteriou

Thanks @Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g . We're probably facing a week of Jolene trying to persuade Fallon to change her mind.

I really don't want to hear Rochelle ever again. I don't even want to hear her name ever again.

Rex was head over heels for Roach-hell but I don't get that impression about him and Alice. Maybe that's a sign of it Rex and Alice being less doomed,

Thinking of Fallon - single women are often seen as 'husband-snatchers'. Are we going to see a rekindling of things between her and Ed at some point?

The obvious eligible single man in Ambridge is Brian, but I can't see that happening. Will is also single but I can't see that either.

Hope you are ok, @Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g , and that Gaspmother is settling well at the nursing home.