History's Heroes podcast

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 Youngest Heroes' with narration from Nicola Coughlan and 'History's Secret Heroes' with narration from Helena Bonham Carter. 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 Nicola and Helena for tales of deception, rebellion, risk and courage.

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 Youngest Heroes' with narration from Nicola Coughlan and 'History's Secret Heroes' with narration from Helena Bonham Carter. 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 Nicola and Helena for tales of deception, rebellion, risk and courage.

 

#36

History's Secret Heroes: Series 3: Trailer

Helena Bonham Carter shines a light on extraordinary stories from World War Two. Join her ... more

25 Feb 2025

02 MINS

02:35

25 Feb 2025


#35

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

Can 21 year-old Terry Fox, a cancer survivor with a prosthetic leg, run the length of Cana... more

24 Feb 2025

30 MINS

30:05

24 Feb 2025


#34

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

With the power of the written word as their weapon, a brother and sister mount a daring ca... more

17 Feb 2025

28 MINS

28:34

17 Feb 2025


#33

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

Deep in the waters of the Caribbean Sea, a young Soviet Naval must make a decision that co... more

10 Feb 2025

28 MINS

28:31

10 Feb 2025


#32

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

An arrogant young man with a passion for dissecting corpses challenges his teachers and ch... more

03 Feb 2025

28 MINS

28:31

03 Feb 2025


#31

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

When her kingdom is threatened, a 22-year-old Indian woman takes on the British Empire on ... more

27 Jan 2025

28 MINS

28:35

27 Jan 2025


#30

History's Youngest Heroes: The Visionary Julian of Norwich

In Norwich, a woman locks herself in a tiny cell for years. Despite limited contact with t... more

20 Jan 2025

28 MINS

28:46

20 Jan 2025


#29

History's Youngest Heroes: Louis Braille: Code Maker

After losing his sight in a childhood accident, a young Frenchman invents a tool that will... more

13 Jan 2025

28 MINS

28:22

13 Jan 2025


#28

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

A charismatic young man attracts a band of followers after denouncing his family fortune a... more

06 Jan 2025

28 MINS

28:26

06 Jan 2025


#27

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

Before she became a Hollywood star, how did the young Audrey Hepburn take on the Nazis in ... more

30 Dec 2024

28 MINS

28:42

30 Dec 2024


#26

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

When a reclusive young woman spots a shipwreck off the coast of Northumberland, she embark... more

23 Dec 2024

28 MINS

28:41

23 Dec 2024


#25

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

Stripped of her crown and trapped In the Tower of London will Lady Jane Grey give up her f... more

16 Dec 2024

28 MINS

28:39

16 Dec 2024


#24

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

Before he became a world leader, how did Mandela as a young activist first attempt to over... more

09 Dec 2024

29 MINS

29:08

09 Dec 2024


#23

History's Youngest Heroes: Trailer

Nicola Coughlan shines a light on extraordinary young people from across history. Join her... more

02 Dec 2024

03 MINS

03:10

02 Dec 2024


#22

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

Manfred Gans joins an elite, secret unit of Jewish commandos to take on the Nazis with adv... more

03 Jun 2024

30 MINS

30:06

03 Jun 2024


#21

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

Emily Anderson led a double life. This shy musicologist from Galway was also a top codebre... more

27 May 2024

28 MINS

28:34

27 May 2024