The Archers

Lilian attempts to offer some words of comfort, and Pat has a bone to pick.

Fallon puts her foot in it and Lynda receives counsel from an unexpected source.

Tempers flare for the Carter family, and Lynda has a brainwave.

Chris takes it a step too far, and Fallon puts her foot down.

Emotions run high for Tracy, and Alan makes a breakthrough.

Brian’s feelings are hurt, and Amber is on tenterhooks.

Brian is disturbed to find Kate working at Grey Gables, but Kate assures Brian she isn’t trying to humiliate him. She simply needs a secure income to enable her to keep Spiritual Home going. For Brian the bigger issue is Kate taking a job from smug Oliver. Kate says she’s more worried than ever about Brian, after recent events. Brian wants her to ask Adam about the letter he presented to him. Brian then corners Oliver, who doubts Miranda will ask after Brian any time soon. At the cricket Alice tells Kirsty she’s not sure what to do on Father’s Day next week – stick with Martha and Chris or spend it with Brian, who’s practically disowned Adam and Debbie. She envies Kirsty’s uncomplicated life with Erik. Later, Alice tells Kirsty she’s making a Father’s Day kit for Martha to give Chris, while Brian will just have to endure the hell of enforced fun with his own children. Back home, Kate’s keen to hear about Kirsty’s scan. Kirsty compares it to Wren’s scan and how that was all she ever got to know of him. Kate hugs Kirsty before Alice arrives and they talk about babysitting arrangements for tomorrow, now Brian’s persona non grata with Adam. Kate wonders if Alice knows what Brian was hinting at about Adam. Alice doesn’t, but Kirsty’s sure they’ll get it out of Adam tomorrow night.

Alistair greets Jakob with news that the minibus taking them to the World Cup cricket match is stuck with a flat tyre, but thanks to a suggestion by Jakob they manage to fix it. Later, at Edgbaston cricket ground, Tracy is thrilled just to be there, while Alistair’s determined nothing will stop Jim having a wonderful day with his friends. Tracy is delighted that Jakob is relaxing and enjoying himself, before Alistair tells them this is Jim’s unofficial leaving do as he’s catching the Eurostar in the morning then following an extensively researched itinerary known only to him. Adam phones Brian, chasing up some budget forecasts that need updating. Brian tells him the forecasts are none of his concern now and Adam gives up trying to persuade him otherwise. However, Adam turns up later wanting to check some other figures and Brian again does his best to put him off, before telling Adam he’s going to train Ed to use their system. Adam is astonished, suggesting it makes no sense. Brian reckons Adam no longer has a say in running Home Farm, to which Adam retorts that no-one trusts Brian after a series of embarrassing errors. Adam produces a solicitor’s letter starting legal proceedings to remove Brian from the business, as he’s displaying signs of dementia. But Brian trumps this with a letter of his own, proving that his mental capacity is just fine. If Adam challenges it, he’ll fight him to the bitter end. Brian then tells Adam triumphantly to get off his land!

Stella tells Pip her genomic test kit has arrived and suggests doing it straight away. Pip demurs, asking whether Stella will still want to marry her if it’s bad news. Upset Stella wonders how Pip can even ask that, before walking out. Pip then reveals to Ruth that she ordered the test. Ruth assumed they’d at least talk it over first, but Pip explains both her and Stella couldn’t cope with the stress of waiting, while acknowledging the result will have implications for all the family. Ruth admits she’s a little hurt but not cross, then apologises for not being as supportive as she might have been. Pip reasons that she won’t do the test until after the wedding, explaining to Stella that she doesn’t want anything to spoil their big day. Stella was too worked up earlier to understand, but she does now, before inviting Pip and Rosie to move into the bungalow. Tracy and Susan discuss Bert settling in well at Clive’s flat, though neither of them really believes the glowing reports they’re getting. Susan encourages Tracy to take the full-time job in the Dairy, but Tracy’s worried she’ll end up looking after Bert once more. Susan offers to share the care if it comes to that, before Tracy talks to Helen and explains her dilemma. She’s realised that caring for Bert over the years stopped her being there more for Chelsea and Brad. Helen’s sympathetic, managing to talk Tracy into accepting her offer. Later, proud Susan insists on buying Tracy’s lunch to celebrate her new job.

At Home Farm David tackles Brian about the wisdom of going it alone, but Brian’s determined it’s the only course to follow, after the way Adam and Debbie ambushed him. David argues Adam’s case as a great farmer, also citing Brian’s U-turn over the inheritance. Brian firmly rebuts David’s intercession on Adam’s behalf, before Ed approaches, having overheard some of this. Ed then tells David how difficult it is being caught between Adam and Brian. Later, David informs Amber that the Borchester Show wi-fi has been upgraded but admits there are two big gaps among the trade stands, including the car dealership one. Amber tells David she might be able to help with that… Amber then drops in at Little Grange, seeking Ed’s advice about whether she should ask her dad to take the car dealership stand, when things are still fraught between her and her parents. Ed reckons it should work as a straightforward business proposition. Martyn calls Adam to check this afternoon’s meeting is still on and to express concern over Brian’s recent behaviour. Adam then phones irritable Brian, wanting to make sure they’re singing from the same hymn sheet when it comes to the Estate contract. The meeting itself is tricky, with Martyn seeking reassurance the contract will be fulfilled. However, Brian makes a mistake over a detail in the schedule and when Martyn pulls him up on this Brian storms out, leaving Adam to cover. But for Martyn this is the last chance for Home Farm.

Helen gets a call from Jack’s school about an accusation of bad behaviour. Helen then tells Jakob she promised Kirsty she’d go to her pre-natal scan and tests this afternoon, but the school are insisting Helen goes in. Jakob offers to take Kirsty instead. At the hospital Kirsty confesses to feeling more than anxious, before Jakob agrees to film the scan on Erik’s behalf. Otherwise, his attempts to help Kirsty relax are typically misguided. Driving back, they reflect on a clear scan, but Kirsty will have to wait for the test results. Kirsty then thanks Jakob for saving her day. While eating lunch in the garden Tracy tells Jazzer about Pat and Tony’s concerns over her not accepting Helen’s offer. She insists she likes working in the Dairy, though she prefers The Bull. But Helen keeps pushing her for an answer – and now she’s moved in next door as well. Jazzer reckons the real reason for Tracy’s hesitation is Bert. Later, Helen fumes over the fence to Tracy about the accusation made against Jack. Helen doesn’t have much faith in the deputy head, especially in light of a recent poor Ofsted report, then tells Tracy she needs an answer about the job by Thursday. Jazzer pushes Tracy to admit she’s done more than her fair share of looking after Bert, before Tracy declares she loves him and misses having him around. If she takes the job she’d be admitting he’s not coming back. Jazzer forces the issue and Tracy agrees, if Bert says he wants to stay at Clive’s then she’ll accept Helen’s offer.

After conducting pregnancy tests on the Brookfield cows Alistair chats to David about the poisonous atmosphere at Home Farm, wondering if David might be able to soften Brian’s hardline stance. When David mentions trade stand bookings for the Borchester Show are right down Alistair says a client complained about the payment system on the showground last year. David says he’ll investigate, before Alistair chases up numbers for the minibus trip to the Women’s T20 World Cup on Friday. Amber’s pleased by the uptick in social media engagement for the Borchester Show since she took over strategy from George. The money they earn will help cover the cost of all the baby gear they need. David calls, asking Amber to use her contacts at Farm Supplies to find out why trade stand bookings are down, and to target local businesses with positive messaging. Later, Amber and George are able to confirm the slow wi-fi led to payment difficulties last year, putting businesses off booking again. David vows to try and fix it. Stella enthuses about wedding preparations to distracted Pip, who’s waiting for the call from a genetic counsellor. After several false alarms Pip finally speaks to the counsellor, then later tells Stella about the issues they covered, including potential risks to having children in future. Stella suggests focusing on the next step and Pip says she’s agreed to take the private BRCA gene variant test. It’s hard, but once Pip’s done the test, they’ll know for sure without having to wait for Ruth’s NHS referral, which she hasn’t even asked for yet.

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

Adam pushes forward with his plan, and Leonard checks in.

Brad struggles to set boundaries, and Carol digs her heels in.

Leonard presses his case, and Kirsty shares some news.

10th – 15th May 2026 Writer: Sarah Hehir Director: Peter Leslie Wild Editor: Jeremy Howe Brian 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

Tensions rise at Home Farm, and Ruth seeks reassurance.

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

Adam needs to talk things through, and Kirsty steels herself.

19 – 24 April 2026 Writer: Tim Stimpson Director: Mel Ward Editor: Jeremy Howe Brian Aldridge … Charles Collingwood David Archer …Timothy Bentinck Helen Archer … Louiza Patikas  Tony Archer … David Troughton  Lilian Bellamy … Sunny Ormonde Alice Carter … Hollie Chapman  Chris Carter … Wilf Scolding Ian Craig …  Stephen Kennedy  Miranda Elliot … Lucy Fleming Rex Fairbrother ... Nick Barber Chelsea Horrobin … Madeleine Leslay  Adam Macy … Andrew Wincott   Kirsty Miller …. Annabelle Dowler  Stella Pryor … Lucy Speed  Den … Laurence Saunders Sophe … Aimee Berwick

Miranda moves into Home Farm, and Kirsty swears Helen to secrecy.

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 Howe Brian 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.

Stella tries to keep her fears in check, and Lottie plans a date with someone new.

Alice catches up with Fallon, and Lilian makes a promise.

Bert is threatening to sue, and Brian feels he’s being ambushed.

5-10 April 2026 Writer: Nick Warburton Director: Pip Swallow and Rosemary Watts Editor: Jeremy Howe Brian 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.

29th March - 3rd April 2026 Writer: Jessica Mitic Director: Marina Caldarone Editor: Jeremy Howe Brian Aldridge … Charles Collingwood Pip Archer … Daisy Badger Henry Archer … Blayke Darby  Pat Archer …   Patricia Gallimore  Tony Archer … David Troughton  Tom Archer … William Troughton  Natasha Archer … Mali Harries  Lilian Bellamy … Sunny Ormonde Miranda Elliot … Lucy Fleming Azra Malik … Yasmin Wilde  Stella Pryor … Lucy Speed  Lynda Snell … Carole Boyd Robert Snell … Michael Bertenshaw  Oliver Sterling … Michael Cochrane Carol Tregorran … Mia Soteriou

Miranda learns about Brian’s past, and Oliver wonders if he should give up riding.

Azra pushes forward with her Mental Health Initiative, and Pip has a nasty shock.