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Fukushima

Fukushima

By BBC World Service

Season 1: Fall of the Shah A tale of power, betrayal and fear. Taking you back to the 1970s, when the Iranian Revolution would change the world forever. A nine-part drama. Season 2: Fukushima A tsunami hits the Japanese nuclear plant. The disaster told in a seven-part drama. As the energy company and politicians in Tokyo lose control, the reactors become unstable and a “suicide squad” of older workers is sent inside. This drama follows the heroes who fight to contain the disaster and those whose mistakes led Japan to catastrophe. Years later, some seek atonement. Fukushima Cast: Suto: Togo Igawa Akiko: Ami Okumura Jones Yoshida: Eiji Mahara Saito: Sadao Ueda Ito: Matt McCooey Shimada: Akira Koieyama Narrator: Romola Garai Reporter: Kevin Shen Reporter: Naoko Mori Worker: Nino Furuhata Written by Adrian Penketh Sound design is by Peter Ringrose Produced by Toby Swift and Sasha Yevtushenko Commissioned by Simon Pitts for BBC World Service.

Episodes

Fukushima: 7. Atonement

Former energy company executive Suto, was supposed to ensure that accidents like this couldn’t happen. Ten years later, he searches for atonement. A drama about the events of March 2011. Cast: Suto: Togo Igawa Akiko: Ami Okumura Jones Tutor: Kevin Shen Guard: Matt McCooey Sanae: Naoko Mori Fukushima is written by Adrian Penketh Sound design is by Peter Ringrose Produced by Toby Swift and Sasha Yevtushenko Commissioned by Simon Pitts for BBC World Service
25/06/23·27m 33s

Fukushima: 6. Legacy

Years after the disaster, one of the “suicide squad” questions his heroism in a town of ghosts. A drama about the events of March 2011. Cast: Suto: Togo Igawa Akiko: Ami Okumura Jones Ito: Matt McCooey Keiko: Naoko Mori Fukushima is written by Adrian Penketh Sound design is by Peter Ringrose Produced by Toby Swift and Sasha Yevtushenko Commissioned by Simon Pitts for BBC World Service
18/06/23·28m 19s

Fukushima: 5. Invisible enemy

“We are at war….” Politicians seize control. And then a breakthrough; can the disaster be contained? A drama about the events of March 2011. Cast: Suto: Togo Igawa Akiko: Ami Okumura Jones Yoshida: Eiji Mihara Prime minister: Kevin Shen Hosono: Sadao Ueda Mayor: Akira Koieyama Aide: Nino Furuhata Narrator: Romola Garai Fukushima is written by Adrian Penketh Sound design is by Peter Ringrose Produced by Toby Swift and Sasha Yevtushenko Commissioned by Simon Pitts for BBC World Service
11/06/23·28m 15s

Fukushima: 4. Evacuation

The reactors are unstable. A “suicide squad” of older workers is sent inside and young staff are evacuated. Pressure levels are dangerously high, raising the chances of another explosion. A drama about the events of March 2011. Cast: Suto: Togo Igawa Akiko: Ami Okumura Jones Yoshida: Eiji Mihara Prime Minister: Kevin Shen Saito: Sadao Ueda Shimada: Akira Koieyama Ito: Matt McCooey Narrator: Romola Garai Fukushima is written by Adrian Penketh Sound design is by Peter Ringrose Produced by Toby Swift and Sasha Yevtushenko Commissioned by Simon Pitts for BBC World Service
04/06/23·27m 52s

Fukushima: 3. Explosion

A massive explosion rocks the stricken power plant. Can the reactors be cooled? The nuclear plant manager has an unorthodox plan to prevent further disaster. A drama about the events of March 2011. Cast: Suto: Togo Igawa Akiko: Ami Okumura Jones Yoshida: Eiji Mihara Prime minister: Kevin Shen Saito: Sadao Ueda Matsui: Akira Koieyama Kojima: Matt McCooey Kaneko: Nino Furuhata Narrator: Romola Garai Fukushima is written by Adrian Penketh Sound design is by Peter Ringrose Produced by Toby Swift and Sasha Yevtushenko Commissioned by Simon Pitts for BBC World Service
28/05/23·28m 9s

Fukushima: 2. Emergency

Japan battles to maintain control in the face of nuclear disaster. Can catastrophe be averted? A drama about the events of March 2011. Cast: Suto: Togo Igawa Akiko: Ami Okumura Jones Yoshida: Eiji Mihara Saito: Sadao Ueda Ito: Matt McCooey Shimada: Akira Koieyama Narrator: Romola Garai Reporter: Kevin Shen Reporter: Naoko Mori Worker: Nino Furuhata Fukushima is written by Adrian Penketh Sound design is by Peter Ringrose Produced by Toby Swift and Sasha Yevtushenko Commissioned by Simon Pitts for BBC World Service
21/05/23·28m 7s

Fukushima: 1. Tsunami

Japan’s nuclear plant is hit as an immense wave surges past defences and floods reactors. It’s a desperate fight to contain a disaster. A drama about the events of March 2011. Cast: Suto: Togo Igawa Akiko: Ami Okumura Jones Yoshida: Eiji Mihara Saito: Sadao Ueda Ito: Matt McCooey Shimada: Akira Koieyama Narrator: Romola Garai Reporter: Kevin Shen Reporter: Naoko Mori Worker: Nino Furuhata Fukushima is written by Adrian Penketh Sound design is by Peter Ringrose Produced by Toby Swift and Sasha Yevtushenko Commissioned by Simon Pitts for BBC World Service Audio for this episode was updated on May 18 2023.
14/05/23·27m 31s

Introducing Fukushima

A drama about losing control in Japan’s nuclear emergency. The heroes who fight to contain the disaster and those whose mistakes lead Japan to catastrophe. Years later, some seek atonement. This seven-part drama from the BBC World Service is released weekly from 15 May 2023.
03/05/23·2m 52s

Get ready for changes

A new drama is coming soon.
25/04/23·54s

Fall of the Shah: 9. God’s government

Enemies are put on trial as Ayatollah Khomeini consolidates his power, in the final episode of the drama. But is this justice, or a desire for revenge? #FalloftheShah
25/03/19·27m 50s

Fall of the Shah: 8. The collapse

Protesters surround the US Embassy. Meanwhile, in episode eight, there’s a power clash in the race to become Iran’s new prime minister. #FalloftheShah
18/03/19·28m 27s

Fall of the Shah: 7. The return of the hidden imam

Millions gather in Iran’s streets to welcome the exiled Ayatollah Khomeini. In the seventh episode of the drama, can the new prime minister maintain order? #FalloftheShah
11/03/19·28m 15s

Fall of the Shah: 6. Shah raft

The Shah is forced to quit Iran to make way for the new prime minister. Sharpour Bakhtiar is a liberal – and a former prisoner of the Shah. In episode six of the drama, the revolution is moving forward. #FalloftheShah
04/03/19·28m 9s

Fall of the Shah: 5. A passion play

The Americans are arguing with themselves. Should President Carter support the Shah? Meanwhile, in episode five of the drama, there’s more violence on the Iranian streets. #FalloftheShah
25/02/19·28m 16s

Fall of the Shah: 4. No instructions

The Shah asks for help from the US, but they have problems of their own. In the fourth part of the drama, protesters are taking over large parts of Tehran. #FalloftheShah
18/02/19·28m 3s

Fall of the Shah: 3. An audience with the Ayatollah

The man behind the protests. In episode three of the drama, a young journalist goes to France to meet the Ayatollah. #FalloftheShah
11/02/19·28m 1s

Fall of the Shah: 2. Black Friday

Protesters take to the streets, inspired by exiled religious leader, Ayatollah Khomeini. The Shah mobilises his army. Episode two of the drama. #FalloftheShah
04/02/19·28m 10s

Fall of the Shah: 1. An island of stability

Something is coming. Can America's friendship with Iran survive? In the first episode of the nine-part drama, US President Jimmy Carter visits Tehran in December 1977. #FalloftheShah
28/01/19·27m 46s

The trailer

A tale of power, betrayal and fear. Taking you back to the 1970s, when the Iranian Revolution would change the world forever. With Game of Thrones star Dame Diana Rigg. The nine-part drama is coming soon.
21/01/19·2m 27s
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