MASTERPIECE Studio
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253 episodes
WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for . Actor Helena Bonham Carter enjoys playing complex, dynamic roles. From Princess Margaret to Bellatrix Lestrange, she never shies away from complicated characters. This week, we talked with Helena about playing the trailblazing Noele Gordon in Russell T Davies’ , a role for which she earned a BAFTA Television award nomination for Leading Actress.
WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for . Composer Blair Mowat has written music for a long list of film and TV productions, including , , and recently, Russell T. Davies’ bittersweet love letter to the Queen of the Midlands, . This week, we talked with Blair about how he approached composing the music for this eloquent and emotional real-life drama, for which he earned a BAFTA Television Award nomination for Original Music.
WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode 1 of . For writer and creator Victor Levin, love is a messy business worth fighting for. It often bypasses the rules of reason and logic and throws all kinds of emotional curve balls. But in the end, it’s the best thing we have. In this interview, Victor joins us to share his feelings on the nature of love, and what he hopes viewers take away from this series.
WARNING: This episode contains significant spoilers for Season 4 of . For four seasons, we’ve watched Eliza Scarlet and William Wellington work together to solve a seemingly endless stream of serpentine mysteries in Victorian era London. But by the fourth episode of Season Four, Eliza and William's relationship is forever changed. Stuart Martin, who has played William Wellington for the past four seasons, will not be returning as the Duke for a fifth season. In this episode, we talk with actor Stuart Martin, and writers Rachael New and Ben Edwards about this momentous shift, and what lies ahead for the future of the show.
Dr. Mark Roodhouse, historical consultant for , and lecturer in History at the University of York, joins us to discuss his role on the show, and the real-life history behind rationing and black markets in World War II-era Britain.
WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode 7 of Season 4. Lead actor Nicholas Ralph returns to the podcast to reflect on Season Four of , and how his character, James Herriot, learned to embrace the ever-present uncertainties of life while training a new vet, joining the RAF, and becoming a father.
WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode 6 of Season 4. Writers Rachael New and Ben Edwards are back to wrap up Season Four of . At the end of this season, Eliza steps out of the shadows cast by her father, Nash, and the Duke, and finally hangs her own shingle. This week, Rachael and Ben join us to discuss the Season Four finale, and what this huge shift might mean for Eliza and the show going forward.
WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode 5 of Season 4. Actor James Anthony-Rose joins this season as new veterinarian Richard Carmody. With Tristan away and James leaving for military training, there’s a lot of pressure on Richard to succeed in the veterinary practice. Will he rise to the occasion? James discusses how he approached playing the bookish Richard Carmody, and what he shares with his character both on and off the set.
WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode 4 of Season 4. It’s been a trying season for actor Stuart Martin’s ‘Duke’. He’s been pushed past the point of exhaustion, shot in the arm, in a coma, and now contends with rest and recovery. But as we see a more vulnerable Duke emerge, these events are hardly what occupies his mind. Stuart Martin joins us this week to explore big changes for the Duke, and what his future might hold.
WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode 3 of Season 4. In episode 3 of , writers and spouses Rachael New and Ben Edwards try something new: a flashback episode. We travel back in time to the world of young Eliza and William to witness their formative years and the origins of their relationship. Rachael and Ben join us this week to bring us inside their writing process, and discuss how they arrived at the first ever flashback episode of .
WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode 2 of Season 4. Actor Neve McIntosh joins this season as the organized and rigid Miss Harbottle. Bringing order to chaos is her speciality, and that’s what she plans to do at the rather disorderly Skeldale House. But will it be a good fit for the practice? This week, Neve McIntosh shares what makes Miss Harbottle tick, her would-be romance with Siegfried Farnon, and what her long-term visions are for Skeldale House.
WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode 1 of Season 4. New beginnings are afoot as Jamie Crichton takes over as lead writer for the fourth season of . With Tristan away and the war encroaching, things aren’t quite the same in Darrowby. But these changes leave room for other dynamics to blossom. Jamie shares how he stayed true to the show while exploring new themes of love, humor, and loss.
WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode 6 of Season 2. This season, actor Eugénie Derouand’s character, Henriette Guilbert, moves into the foreground. As the Nazis tighten their grip on the hospital, Henriette moves her resistance efforts to the French countryside, where she hides and rehabilitates fallen RAF pilots, and helps them return home. This week, Eugénie Derouand reflects on what motivates Henriette to take such enormous risks. Stay tuned after the interview for real WWII historical commentary from historical advisor Richard Overy.
WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode 5 of Season 2. Actor Mark Bonnar turns up the charm this season with his suave and elegant character, Sir James Danemere. But what lies behind this sly demeanor? This week, Mark Bonnar brings us inside the head of Sir James, a man with a sharp sense of the ridiculous. Stay tuned after the interview for real WWII historical commentary from historical advisor Richard Overy.
WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode 4 of Season 2. Actor Ahad Raza Mir joins Season 2 of as the heroic leader of the British Indian Army’s Sapper unit, Rajib Pal. In this interview, he discusses the complexity of his character, and how Rajib can simultaneously follow the rules while throwing caution to the wind. Stay tuned after the interview for real WWII historical commentary from historical advisor Richard Overy.
WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for episode 3 of Season 2. For director Meenu Gaur, it’s important to bring a new perspective to the stories and genres that have been around for decades. And that’s what drew her to . In this interview, Gaur discusses how she balanced the big, dramatic moments of battle with the small, tender moments of love, longing, and domesticity. Stay tuned after the interview for real WWII historical commentary from historical advisor Richard Overy.
WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for episode 1 of Season 2. Historical advisor Richard Overy joins us as we kick off Season 2 of . A lot happened in that first year of WWII, and because this show closely follows the real life history of the war, we want to take a moment to get oriented. If you’re confused about the North African campaign, never ending bombings in Manchester, or the U.S’s non-involvement, don’t fret. We here at MASTERPIECE Studio have got you covered. Let us bring you up to speed about everything in Episode 1.
WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Season 5. For actor Sanjeev Bhaskar and writer and creator Chris Lang, Season 5 of was full of new challenges and uncomfortable moments. But by the end of this season, we’re left with a glimmer of hope. As Sanjeev and Chris discuss the final episode of this season, we’re reminded that even in the most difficult of situations, there is always the promise of new beginnings.
WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for episode four of Season Five of . creator and writer Chris Lang knew it would take time for both audiences and characters to grieve the loss of the beloved Cassie Stuart, played by Nicola Walker, and welcome in Jessica James, played by Sinéad Keenan. In this episode, Lang reveals some of the decisions he made when crafting this transition, and why the obvious choice was to lean into the unexpected.
WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Season 1. It’s been more than three years since MASTERPIECE aired Season 1 of in 2020 — so don’t worry if you don’t remember exactly what happened in the first season. But rest assured: we’ve got you covered. With Season 2 of just around the corner, let’s go back to the beginning and make sure we’re all caught up on every stolen glance, every failed mission, and every one of Robina’s withering comments as we prepare to parachute back into .
As an fan herself, actor Sinéad Keenan was well aware of the boots she was filling by stepping into the role of the new DCI. And as if that wasn’t enough of a hurdle for her character DCI Jessica James, less than an hour before her first day at work, Jess’s husband Steve drops some shattering news. Sinéad joins the podcast this week to reflect on some of the challenges her character faces and how she approached playing the bristly and complex Jessica James.
At the end of Season 4 of DCI Cassie Stuart, played by Nicola Walker, tragically died in a car accident, sending shockwaves out to the other characters, actors, and viewers alike. But Sunny Khan is hit especially hard, given his close working relationship with Cassie. Sanjeev Bhaskar joins us to discuss how Sunny deals with this change, and what struggles and triumphs might lie ahead for his character this season.
Warning: This episode contains spoilers for Episode One of 'Little Women'. This is an encore release of an earlier podcast episode. Dame Angela Lansbury was an acting icon for more than 75 years. Her credits spanned from and to and She died in October 2022, and left behind a rich legacy of characters that are as iconic and memorable as the actor herself. As PBS re-broadcasts MASTERPIECE’s 2018 production of , we thought we’d revisit our 2018 conversation with her as she takes us through highlights of her prodigious career and reveals what she learned on the "Little Women" set.
WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for the series finale of . For over a decade, lead actor Shaun Evans has starred as Endeavour Morse. We’ve watched him transform from the young, talented and eager Morse, into the gruff, solitary, and brilliant Morse character portrayed by John Thaw in the original series. As this series draws to a satisfying conclusion, Shaun Evans joins us to reflect on this final season, and why it felt like the right time to say goodbye to .
After 11 years of murder, mystery, and mystifying crossword puzzles, we’ve come to the final season of . This episode is from a live conversation our host, Jace Lacob, had with Morse himself — star, director and producer Shaun Evans — during PBS’s virtual event.
WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Seasons 1-8. As fans will know, this show packs its fair share of clever and unpredictable details into every episode. So, let’s make sure we’re all caught up on every clue, every chance meeting, and every furtive glance as we gear up for the final season of on this special recap episode of MASTERPIECE Studio.
WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for episode 4. Solly McLeod joins the podcast to discuss his meteoric rise as an actor and how he relates to his character, as we bid a fond farewell to this joyful coming-of-age love story.
Honour Newton isn’t your typical lady’s maid. She’s outspoken and frank, but always provides unwavering support to her lovesick mistress Sophia Western, despite some very uncomfortable situations. Actor Pearl Mackie joins the podcast to discuss how her character strikes a balance between honesty and duty.
co-star Sophie Wilde reflects on what it means for her character, Sophia Western, to take charge of her own journey in defiance of her family—and society's expectations—in pursuit of her one true love.
Gwyneth Hughes is no stranger to serious period dramas, but wanted to try something more lighthearted and romantic. Hughes discusses the decisions and joys of adapting Henry Fielding’s 1,000-page, deeply human, mother of all rom coms into four episodes of pure sunshine.
