Overview
- The modern cast will re-enact the lost 1951 opening scene, with Timothy Bentinck, Felicity Finch, Daisy Badger, Ben Norris and Wilf Scolding playing Dan, Doris, Grace, Philip and Jack Archer.
- A 45-minute drama at 7.15pm explores the New Year’s Eve attack storyline, led by guest star Claire Skinner, followed at 8pm by The Archers Podcast presented by Emma Freud.
- Radio 4 is dedicating additional programmes to the milestone, including special editions of Woman’s Hour and This Week in History.
- Episodes will remain available on BBC Sounds for five years after broadcast, a major extension from the previous 30-day access period.
- BBC Archives has begun digitising more than 2,500 episodes from 1959–69 sourced from the BBC Transcription Service, which historically distributed the show overseas.