The Archers

17 – 22 May 2026 Writer: Katie Hims Directors: Kim Greengrass and Peter Leslie Wild Editor: Jeremy HoweBrian Aldridge … Charles Collingwood Ben Archer … Ben Norris Helen Archer … Louiza Patikas  Leonard Berry … Paul Copley Alice Carter … Hollie Chapman  Ian Craig …  Stephen Kennedy  Alan Franks … John Telfer Bert Horrobin…  David Sterne Brad Horrobin … Taylor Uttley Tracy Horrobin … Susie Riddell  Adam Macy … Andrew Wincott   Akram Malik ... Asif Khan Dr Azra Malik … Yasmin Wilde  Kirsty Miller …. Annabelle Dowler  Carol Tregorran … Mia Soteriou Anna Tregorran … Isobel Middleton Den … Laurence Saunders

Anna reaches the end of her tether, and Tracy faces a shock.

Den plans a surprise for Brad, and Akram seeks support.

Leonard asks Ben if Ruth has decided whether to be tested for the BRCA gene variant. Ben's still annoyed with Josh for not wanting to know, an attitude he thinks is typically selfish. Following yesterday's chat with Alan, Leonard considers how lucky he is being retired, and that life seems more stressful these days. Ben agrees - the surgery has so many people saying they're struggling. He hopes the mental health initiatives he's trying to set up with Azra will help address these pressures. Adam has spoken to Ruairi, who agrees that Brian must be made to let go of the business. Ian's surprised Ruairi agreed, considering the George attack cover–up, but Adam insists it's for Brian's own good. Brian's out of his depth, plus his dinosaur attitudes and lack of futureproofing are no good for Home Farm. It needs to be addressed at the partnership meeting. Kate's horrified by the idea of caravan storage and agrees with Adam. Ian is concerned that the family are being misled by inaccurate dementia speculation, but Adam feels he has no choice. Having invited Alice to dinner, Adam pleads with her to help form a united front against Brian. Alice wants more time though - Brian really doesn't think he's got dementia. Instead of rocking the boat, can't they just persuade him to get some kind of cognitive fitness test? Frustrated, Adam insists the clock is ticking – he sees Brian floundering badly and if they don't act quickly, Home Farm is going to fail.

When Leonard retrieves Jill's cake tin from Glebe Cottage, Carol confesses that she visited but didn't actually go inside The Laurels. Later, meeting Alan, who's worried about repairing a cracked bell at St Stephens, Leonard confides that he's finding Carol's intransigence a challenge. He wonders if Alan might perhaps have more luck persuading her to have a safety camera fitted close to the stairs. Calling in, Alan helps Carol narrowly avoid a nasty fall, which shakes her. She admits Anna had flagged the rug as a trip hazard but doesn't want her to know. Alan tells Carol that Anna is on her side. Carol agrees to have the camera installed if Alan doesn't disclose her near miss. As Brad prepares to take Bert for a walk, Den arrives. Although reluctant to chat, Brad agrees to Den joining them to view Chelsea's horse box, as that's on Susan's ‘designated list of walks' for Bert's health. They're all impressed with the horse box, although the renovation's cost more than Chelsea had anticipated. Bert then praises Clive for how well he's doing now. Den sees this as proof that people can change, but Brad says pointedly that sometimes change comes too late. Back at 6 The Green, Den speaks to Tracy about seeing Brad more often after his exams. He wants to plan something really special, to prove it's not too late to save their relationship. Tracy is sceptical – why is he suddenly wanting more contact? She gives Den a warning, to never, ever hurt Brad or Chelsea.

Leonard presses his case, and Kirsty shares some news.

10th – 15th May 2026 Writer: Sarah Hehir Director: Peter Leslie Wild Editor: Jeremy HoweBrian Aldridge … Charles Collingwood Pip Archer … Daisy Badger Ruth Archer … Felicity Finch Lilian Bellamy … Sunny Ormonde Alice Carter … Hollie Chapman  Ian Craig …  Stephen Kennedy  Alan Franks … John Telfer Amber Gordon … Olivia Bernstone George Grundy … Angus Stobie Jakob Hakansson … Paul Venables Brad Horrobin … Taylor Uttley Adam Macy … Andrew Wincott   Kirsty Miller …. Annabelle Dowler  Stella Pryor … Lucy Speed  Oliver Sterling … Michael Cochrane Carol Tregorran … Mia Soteriou Anna Tregorran … Isobel Middleton Den … Laurence Saunders Erik Hakansson … Steven Hartley Helpline Volunteer … Yasmin Mwanza

Ruth lends a hand, and Anna worries about her mum.

Adam seeks support, and Pip looks for answers.

Ruth tries to stay positive, and Pip's worries spiral.

Adam sharpens his strategy, and Ian is presented with an unexpected opportunity.

Alan gets involved in village life, and Brad faces an uncomfortable encounter.

3rd-8th May 2026 Writer: Sarah McDonald Hughes Director: Marina Caldarone Editor: Jeremy HoweBrian Aldridge … Charles Collingwood Ben Archer … Ben Norris Ruth Archer … Felicity Finch Natasha Archer … Mali Harries  Tom Archer … William Troughton  Lilian Bellamy … Sunny Ormonde Leonard Berry … Paul Copley Ruairi Donovan … Arthur Hughes George Grundy … Angus Stobie Bert Horrobin…  David Sterne Brad Horrobin … Taylor Uttley Tracy Horrobin … Susie Riddell  Adam Macy … Andrew Wincott   Akram Malik ... Asif Khan Dr Azra Malik … Yasmin Wilde  Carol Tregorran … Mia Soteriou Anna Tregorran … Isobel Middleton

Ruairi tells Brian he's going to tell the police what happened with George. Brian insists he can't – but if Ruairi does, Brian will confess to the same crime and they'll both go to prison. Ruairi needs to get on with his life, including a job interview tomorrow. Ruairi then says that instead he'll tell George the truth and goes. Agitated Brian can't stop him, but tells Lilian where Ruairi's going. George doesn't believe Ruairi though, insisting Brian hit him and Ruairi's just trying to protect Brian. George suggests counselling to Ruairi, who gives up trying to persuade George of the truth. George assures Ruairi everything's settled with Brian, now he's bought the drone. Ruairi sees Lilian on his way home, telling her George didn't believe him and he thinks that means it's all over.Tracy tells Bert she hasn't got time to fix him up with a girlfriend, pointing out how impractical going on dates would be. He should try joining a local group instead. To Bert's horror Tracy's preparing a tofu stir-fry, before Brad takes grateful Bert off to vote. On the way back they stop at Ivy's grave, where Brad asks if Bert's serious about finding a girlfriend. In turn, Bert asks about Den, whether Brad wants to see him again. Bert reminisces how happy he was one time he met up with Clive. Later, Bert's unimpressed by the stir-fry and wallows in self-pity. Tracy challenges Bert to call Clive, if he thinks he'll do a better job looking after him, while Brad decides he won't contact Den.

Ruairi gets some food for thought, and there's disaster for the Maliks.

Ruth has a lot to think about, and Anna tries to keep her cool.

Leonard has a proposition for Carol, and Natasha looks forward to showing off her skills.

Brad has something on his mind, and Brian makes a decision.

26th April – 1st May 2026 Writer: Tim Stimpson Director: Mel Ward Editor: Jeremy HoweBrian Aldridge … Charles Collingwood Ben Archer … Ben Norris David Archer …Timothy Bentinck Ruth Archer … Felicity Finch Helen Archer … Louiza Patikas  Natasha Archer … Mali Harries  Tom Archer … William Troughton  Lilian Bellamy … Sunny Ormonde Alice Carter … Hollie Chapman  Chris Carter … Wilf Scolding Susan Carter … Charlotte Martin Ian Craig …  Stephen Kennedy  Amber Gordon … Olivia Bernstone George Grundy … Angus Stobie Bert Horrobin…  David Sterne Tracy Horrobin … Susie Riddell  Adam Macy … Andrew Wincott   Kirsty Miller …. Annabelle Dowler  Lottie Summers ... Bonnie Baddoo Erik Hakansson … Steven Hartley Debbie Aldridge ... Tamsin Greig

Natasha sees an opportunity, and Brian faces difficult questions.

Bert doesn't want to be alone, and Adam builds support.

Tensions rise at Home Farm, and Ruth seeks reassurance.

David has an idea, and Kirsty anxiously awaits a response.

In Hungary Debbie tells Adam she's applying for citizenship, then prompts him to explain how bad things are for him to come all this way. Adam tells her that Brian promised to make him his successor, then just changed his mind. This kind of behaviour is why Adam needed to see Debbie, who now understands the urgency. Adam says they have to speak with one voice at the next partnership meeting and tell Brian to retire. Ruairi's the only one Adam's not sure about. Debbie has a prior commitment, so can't attend. She sighs that these power games and Brian's cheating are precisely why she's stayed in Hungary. She assures Adam he's got her support.Chris, the cricket captain, is missing Kirsty and Adam for the Battling Bulls' first match, but at least Kirsty's there to watch. They're joined by Natasha and Helen, before Tom strides out in his brand new, expensive cricket jumper. While waiting to bat Tom suggests Natasha should sell some bags of her clothes and cut down on subscriptions to raise money and save cash. Their plans to develop different parts of the business won't come to fruition for months.Kirsty goes to answer a call from Erik, wanting to tell him she's pregnant, while Helen and Natasha watch Tom bat mightily. The Battling Bulls win, but Tom's miffed that his jumper has been stretched and ruined by an incompetent umpire. Disappointed Kirsty then tells Helen about Erik's shocked reaction to her news. However, Helen's sure he'll be thrilled when they talk again tomorrow.

At The Bull, David pumps Chris on how to attract more people to the Borchester Show. Chris mentions online videos of craft skills, then suggests talking to Amber and George, who have great video-making skills and farming knowledge. Brian arrives for Elizabeth's birthday celebration, before Rex joins Chris and apologises for his remark about Alice's drinking. Rex admits Alice tore into him, while Chris thinks he was more sensitive to the remark than he should have been. When they argue over who should be cricket captain Alice interrupts – she just wants them to get along.Adam tells Alice he's booked a flight to Hungary tomorrow. Alice tells him about Miranda saying she thought Brian's erratic behaviour was to do with Ruairi. Alice thinks they should convince Brian to see a doctor rather than fly to Hungary, but Adam reckons Brian's mental state and the farm are all part of the same issue. They agree it's too big a risk to include Ruairi in their discussions. So, Adam and Debbie will come up with a plan, then they'll talk it through with Alice and Kate. Adam calls Brian, who's not impressed to be told Adam's disappearing until Tuesday to see a friend who's having an emergency. Brian harrumphs to David before heading off. Alice intercepts Brian in the car park, then lies that she doesn't know anything about this friend of Adam's. For Brian though, it's confirmation he should never have trusted Adam's supposed dedication to Home Farm in the first place.

Helen welcomes Miranda to Ambridge after her move yesterday, before Kirsty asks Helen to be with her for a pregnancy test. Kirsty's spoken to Erik, but not said anything to him about her situation. When the test shows positive Kirsty cries, thoughts of another miscarriage weighing on her, despite Helen's reassurances. Kirsty hasn't really made any plans with Erik, but is sure that he'll do his bit, before swearing joyful Helen to secrecy.Ian turns up at the Eco Office with lunch for Adam, who chastises himself for continuing to work there as if nothing's happened. Ian suggests a walk, vowing to support Adam whatever happens. Adam remembers how Brian first taught him to love the land, but now he sees the damage Brian has done and wants to rectify that before passing the land on to Xander. Adam can't see how that's going to happen, though. Ian then suggests the radical step of flying out to Hungary and talking to Debbie.Alice goes to welcome Miranda into her new home, but finds it difficult seeing how much everything has changed. Alice apologises for Brian's behaviour before Miranda offers a tour of the house. In Kate's old room Alice reminisces her childhood, then wonders if Brian was overwhelmed by the thought of too many memories. Miranda thinks it's to do with Ruairi instead, but doesn't know what's going on in Brian's head. She thinks he's changed since around New Year, and wishes he'd told her before she exchanged contracts. But really Alice should worry about Brian, not her.

The countryside is coming to life at the Rewilding, and Chelsea is preparing a bride for her wedding day.

Ruth has things on her mind, and it's a sad day for Tony at Bridge Farm.

Adam thinks about the future, and Helen has a decision to make.

Lilian tries to reassure Alice and there are more entries for the Battling Bulls logo.

12 – 17 April 2026 Writer: Shaun McKenna Director: Pip Swallow and Rosemary Watts Editor: Jeremy HoweBrian Aldridge … Charles Collingwood Pip Archer … Daisy Badger Ruth Archer … Felicity Finch Lilian Bellamy … Sunny Ormonde Alice Carter … Hollie Chapman  Chris Carter … Wilf Scolding Rex Fairbrother ... Nick Barber Chelsea Horrobin … Madeleine Leslay  Bert Horrobin…  David Sterne Tracy Horrobin … Susie Riddell  Adam Macy … Andrew Wincott   Azra Malik … Yasmin Wilde  Kirsty Miller …. Annabelle Dowler  Stella Pryor … Lucy Speed  Fallon Rogers …. Joanna Van Kampen Lottie Summers … Bonnie Baddoo Ms Shah … Sudha Bhuchar

Pip goes to her appointment, and Ruth is supportive.

Bert warns Chelsea not to be too trusting and there's an embarrassing moment between Fallon and Rex.

Alice praises Azra for her Mental Health initiative, then tells Azra she'd like to see addiction services given more prominence. Alice asks Azra for advice on helping a “friend” whose father may be showing signs of dementia. Clearly suspecting it's Brian they're talking about, Azra plays along, suggesting booking her friend's father an appointment with his GP, but also offering to dig out some leaflets for Alice to give her friend. Bert phones the surgery, demanding an appointment. Lottie explains there are none available, but Bert insists he'll turn up regardless, before shouting in pain and putting the phone down. Chelsea reluctantly agrees to take Bert in. After he's been seen Bert complains about the scant advice he was given to alleviate his pain and mutters about his aborted compensation claim, claiming he wanted the money to help Chelsea fix up her horsebox. Chelsea's touched by this, while Bert insists that's what family is for. Stella tells Ruth about Pip's appointment at the Breast Screening clinic on Thursday and asks if she'll go with them. Ruth seeks reassurance her presence will be welcome, then offers to drive them there. Stella admits how worried she is, but didn't ask before to avoid bringing up bad memories for Ruth. Stella reckons she's showing more signs of anxiety than Pip and worries she's driving Pip mad. Ruth gives Stella some sage advice before they agree a time for her to pick them up on Thursday. Stella later confirms that Pip's really pleased her mum will be there.

Lilian goes to see Brian and refuses to apologise for being concerned. Brian gets antsy with her, before confessing that he really misses Jenny at times like this. He apologises for over-reacting yesterday. Lilian mentions dementia, but Brian insists that's not what's going on. Up on Lakey Hill Lilian tries teasing out of Brian what the underlying issue is. She guesses it's to do with George. Indirectly, Brian admits, before telling her that it was Ruairi who hit George with a bottle. Lilian struggles to take it in as Brian outlines what happened when George was attacked. Lilian now sees why Brian's in such a state, but doesn't understand why Brian can't move into the farmhouse with Miranda. Brian explains it's because Ruairi couldn't face living there and is barely holding himself together. Brian feels Jenny would have agreed with what he's doing to protect Ruairi. Lilian agrees to go along with it, before Brian makes her promise not to tell anyone that Ruairi hit George.Noting her stress over Brian, Fallon asks Alice how things are going with Rex, suggesting they come over for supper on Wednesday. They move on to cricket teas and the fierce competition to design a logo for the new team, before Fallon asks how Chris is coping with Rex being her boyfriend. Alice asserts that her and Chris are in a good place, but still frets in case Chris has said anything to prompt Fallon's concern. Alice then admits she's worried about everything at the moment, but particularly her dad.

While Adam cooks a Sunday roast, Alice tells him she's spoken to Kate, who agrees that Brian's break up with Miranda doesn't make sense. Adam warns Alice off tackling Brian about the subject over lunch, before Lilian arrives. She's soon followed by Brian, but Ruairi can't make it. True to Adam's word Brian tells them he won't talk about Miranda. Alice sounds out Lilian about Brian's erratic behaviour recently. Whatever's going on, Alice agrees with Kate that it's serious. Later, Brian overhears Alice expressing her concerns to Lilian and has a go at them for gossiping about his private life, insisting he can sort things out on his own. Brian slams out and Alice tells the others that, like Kate, she's genuinely concerned Brian might be showing signs of dementia.Wearing a neck brace, Bert moans to Tracy about the pain he's in, but she gives him short shrift. He wants to get compensation after the church roof fell in, though Tracy points out he wasn't even there. It's a scam! Bert complains that no-one's offered to do anything for him on the Easter Promises Tree. He's determined to pursue his compensation claim from Alan, despite the fact he won't be able to produce any evidence or witnesses, as Tracy again points out. Bert threatens to get Susan to help with his claim instead. Later, Tracy admits feeling bad. But Bert's changed his mind about pursuing the claim because of what Tracy said, about Alan helping Susan when the shop needed a home. Alan doesn't deserve the hassle.

5-10 April 2026 Writer: Nick Warburton Director: Pip Swallow and Rosemary Watts Editor: Jeremy HoweBrian Aldridge … Charles Collingwood David Archer …Timothy Bentinck Pip Archer … Daisy Badger Ruth Archer … Felicity Finch Chris Carter … Wilf Scolding Alan Franks … John Telfer Usha Franks … Souad Faress Emma Grundy … Emerald O'Hanrahan George Grundy … Angus Stobie Usha Franks… Souad Faress  Adam Macy … Andrew Wincott   Azra Malik … Yasmin Wilde  Khalil Malik … Krish Bassi  Lynda Snell … Carole Boyd Robert Snell … Michael Bertenshaw  Oliver Sterling … Michael Cochrane Carol Tregorran … Mia Soteriou

Alan rallies the troops, and Oliver takes Miranda under his wing.

David is full of the joys of spring, and Lynda takes her problems to Azra.

Adam has some news for David, and George ponders his impending fatherhood.

Can Robert square his conscience, and will George go to Keira's birthday party?

Something unexpected happens at the Easter Day service, and Robert receives a surprise birthday present.