Episodios

  • Episode 3 - The Retreat to Mount Stewart
    Dec 20 2025

    In November 1938 Jewish shops and businesses are brutally attacked in several days of pogroms in what became known as Kristillnacht. Charles’ position of trying to build good relations with the Nazi leadership now becomes untenable. He has a bruising showdown with his cousin, Winston Churchill, at a social event in London. In private, he acknowledges that he has failed in his efforts to be an architect of peace like his illustrious ancestor, Lord Castlereagh. World War Two begins in September 1939 and Charles and Edith go back to Mount Stewart in County Down. But it follows them to the shores of Strangford Lough as German bombers target Newtownards Airfield in 1941, killing 13 air cadets - mainly young men. Charles attends the funeral of one of them, realising that the war he struggled to avoid is now a reality. He uses his skills as a pilot to help train young men in flying but in 1945 he is involved in a near-fatal glider accident. The war ends in victory - but Charles’ health is in decline. He is asked to give written evidence by the defence team for Joachim von Ribbentrop at the Nuremberg trials. The Nazi Minister for Foreign Affairs claims he always tried to steer Hitler towards a more limited war. Ten years on from the Ribbentrop’s visit to Mount Stewart, Charles gives scrupulously accurate evidence which does not corroborate the Nazi’s claims of being a peace-maker. A death sentence is passed and Ribbentrop dies by a lengthy hanging. Charles himself dies three years later, aged 70 and is buried at Mount Stewart in the family plot, Tír Na nÓg - ‘the land of youth’. Striking up personal relationships with Nazi leadership had come to define his legacy. It had caused huge turmoil in his life but now, finally, he is at peace.

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    25 m
  • Episode 2 - The Road to War
    Dec 20 2025

    Prominent Nazi, Joachim von Ribbentrop, visits the Londonderrys again – this time at their stately home in the North East of England. But the German ambassador is on the point of giving a Nazi salute in Durham Cathedral and just in time Charles, Lord Londonderry, grabs his arm to avoid an embarrassing scandal. Charles’ friendly relations with senior Nazis are threatening to destroy his public reputation and he was is not the only one. The Nazis prove to be a source of huge fascination for the Anglo-Irish aristocracy at this time - some are drawn to them while others are repelled. Either way, they cannot be ignored. This is true particularly of Charles Londonderry as he made makes a total of six trips between 1936 and 1938 to meet them. Yet his awareness of the threat that a strong, militarised Germany poses is acute. The Anschluss uniting Germany and Austria became becomes one more example of this and German moves that constantly pull the rug from under Charles’ one-man diplomatic strategy. Charles had previously lost his job as Air Minister in Westminster in 1935 when it emerged that he had seriously underestimated German military air strength. Charles was distraught and disputed that any fault lay with him until till the end of his life. His sacking wounded him deeply and consequntly he forms a plan with Edith to forge links with the Nazis to bring them into the European family of nations – following in the footsteps of Lord Castlereagh. Charles believes in diplomacy and negotiation – but injured pride also plays a huge part in his actions as the clouds of war gather. When British PM Joseph Chamberlain flies to Munich to meet Hitler and sign a peace agreement in 1938, Charles believes he has finally been vindicated. But only a few weeks later, Germany invades its neighbour Czechoslovakia. The world waits for war.

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    25 m
  • Episode 1 - Friends or Foes?
    Dec 20 2025

    Spring 1936. A man falls into Strangford Lough and has to be fished out. It is a huge humiliation for Hitler’s leading diplomat, Joachim von Ribbentrop. But some say this story is just a myth. Claims and counter-claims swirl around Charles, Marquess of Londonderry and his wife Edith because of their friendly relations with high-ranking Nazis. The mystery of whether Ribbentrop fell into the water on a weekend trip to Mount Stewart house in Co Down typifies how accounts of the Londonderrys can diverge wildly. Earlier in 1936, the Londonderrys had visited Berlin to meet Hitler and Herman Goring at lavish social events. Incredibly, they have brought their 14 year old daughter, Lady Mairi, who ends up chatting with Hitler about a comedy film they have both seen. After the trip there are adoring letters sent to thank the Nazis for their lavish hospitality. But clouds are gathering. Just days after their return, German troops march into the Rhineland – a move strictly forbidden by the Versailles treaty that concluded WW1. Is Europe on the brink of another war? Charles believes Germany in in the right and he and Edith make more visits to Germany. But when they invite Ribbentrop to Mount Stewart it is for many a step too far and the criticism in Westminster and in public opinion is intense. However, Charles thinks that Germany can be reigned in – IF they can be brought to the international negotiating table. He is inspired by his famous ancestor, Lord Castlereagh who redrew the map of Europe to bring a century of peace after the Napoleonic Wars. But no one in government wants to listen to him and his own antisemitism begs the question of whether he has more in common with the Nazis than he thinks.

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    25 m
  • Episode 6 – To Catch a Thief
    Oct 18 2025

    A retired police officer looks back on his younger days, catching criminals and working cases on the streets of West Belfast. As the city awakens from World War II, with sectarian tensions simmering in the background, Constable Jack Walsh must navigate the narrow streets of the ‘Loney’ in search of petty thieves and criminals – meeting a cast of colourful, eccentric and dangerous characters along the way Episode 6 – To Catch a Thief A series of low level thefts leave local police puzzled, and Constable Jack’s informers on the ground can’t help either – till a lead from a local prostitute proves vital. Meanwhile, a greyhound trainer schemes with a vet to win a big race – and a flag in a window brings trouble to the streets of Belfast

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    24 m
  • Episode 5 - Down the Courts
    Oct 18 2025

    A retired police officer looks back on his younger days, catching criminals and working cases on the streets of West Belfast. As the city awakens from World War II, with sectarian tensions simmering in the background, Constable Jack Walsh must navigate the narrow streets of the ‘Loney’ in search of petty thieves and criminals – meeting a cast of colourful, eccentric and dangeous characters along the way.

    Episode 5 – Down the Courts

    On his way to give evidence in court against a car thief, Constable Jack bumps into an old friend who needs a favour – a friend who Jack first met many years before, while investigating the theft of a bunch of bananas. Meanwhile – a late night ‘fancy dress’ party puts Jack in an awkward position.

    Based on interviews with a retired police officer and featuring:

    Constable Jack Walsh - Andrew McCracken (as the young Constable Walsh) John & Vet - Christopher Grant Mr Grimes, Belfast Corporation - Marty Maguire Molly - Antoinette Morelli

    Additional voices provided by cast

    A BBC Northern Ireland Production

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    25 m
  • Episode 4 - The Crystal Ball
    Oct 18 2025

    A retired police officer looks back on his younger days, catching criminals and working cases on the streets of West Belfast.

    As the city awakens from World War II, with sectarian tensions simmering in the background, Constable Jack Walsh must navigate the narrow streets of the ‘Loney’ in search of petty thieves and criminals – meeting a cast of colourful, eccentric and dangerous characters along the way.

    Episode 4 – The Crystal Ball

    A World War II veteran brings Belfast city centre to a standstill, while pick pockets roam the side streets in search of an easy victim – but it’s a search for a fortune teller’s glass ball that leads Constable Walsh to an unscrupulous pawn broker with a taste for stolen goods.

    Based on interviews with a retired police officer and featuring:

    Constable Jack Walsh - Andrew McCracken (as the young Constable Walsh) The Joker & Eugene - Faolán Morgan Madame Margaret - Antoinette Morelli Ms O'Hara - Eimear Bailie Maisie - Tierna McNally Sam - Jonathan Harden

    Additional voices provided by cast

    A BBC Northern Ireland Production

    Más Menos
    24 m
  • Episode 3 - Night Shift
    Oct 18 2025

    A retired police officer looks back on his younger days, catching criminals and working cases on the streets of West Belfast.

    As the city awakens from World War II, with sectarian tensions simmering in the background, Constable Jack Walsh must navigate the narrow streets of the ‘Loney’ in search of petty thieves and criminals – meeting a cast of colourful, eccentric and dangerous characters along the way.

    Episode 3 – Night Shift

    As he starts the night shift, Constable Walsh heads into the red light district and has an awkward encounter with a city VIP. Following a street fight involving an empty coffin, Jack has an eerie experience at the local mortuary – all part of a night filled with the strange and wonderful characters who only appear after dark.

    Based on interviews with a retired police officer and featuring:

    Cast:

    Constable Jack Walsh – Andrew McCracken (as the young Constable Walsh) Maggie & Cat Lady - Aoibhéann McCann VIP & Dr McGrath – Christopher Grant Mary – Tierna McNally William – Marty Maguire

    Additional voices provided by cast

    Producer - Conor McKay A BBC Northern Ireland Production

    Más Menos
    25 m
  • Episode 2 - The Money Lender
    Oct 18 2025

    A retired police officer looks back on his younger days, catching criminals and working cases on the streets of West Belfast. As the city awakens from World War II, with sectarian tensions simmering in the background, Constable Jack Walsh must navigate the narrow streets of the ‘Loney’ in search of petty thieves and criminals – meeting a cast of colourful, eccentric and dangerous characters along the way.

    Episode 2 – The Money Lender

    Walking the local beat, Constable Walsh soon learns of a ruthless money lender holding some of the area’s poorest families to ransom – and must decide on how to crack the case

    Between the Wars is based on real interviews with a retired police officer and also features:

    Cast:

    Constable Jack Walsh – Andrew McCracken (as the young Constable Walsh) Geraldine - Aoibhéann McCann Shep - Jonathan Harden Mrs Quinn - Tierna McNally Mr Quinn - Faolán Morgan

    additional voices provided by cast

    Producer - Conor McKay A BBC Northern Ireland production

    Más Menos
    25 m
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