History's Heroes Podcast
Ray Winstone tells ten true stories of adventurers, rebels and survivors who lived life on the edge. Join him for ten tales of fearsome heroes from across history.
History's Heroes: the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½'s breathtaking, high stakes, story-led history podcast feed that shines a light on extraordinary people from across history.
Series include 'History's Toughest Heroes' with narration from Ray Winstone, 'History's Heroes' with narration from Historian Alex von Tunzelmann, 'History's Youngest Heroes' with narration from Nicola Coughlan and 'History's Secret Heroes' with narration from Helena Bonham Carter.
In History's Toughest Heroes, Ray Winstone reveals wild, true stories of adventurers, rebels and survivors. Heroes covered include arctic explorer Peter Freuchen, Hollywood stunt woman Kitty O'Neil and medieval knight William Marshal. Join Ray for tales of fearsome heroes who lived life on the edge.
In History's Heroes, Historian Alex von Tunzelmann (Radio 4's The History Podcast: The Lucan Obsession/writer of all the History's Heroes series) shines a light on the inspiring and unusual stories of courage, pioneering and people who used their voice to spark change. Heroes covered include groundbreaking surgeon Harold Gillies, composers Rodgers and Hammerstein and swimming champion Gertrude Ederle. Join Alex for stories of bold voices, with brave ideas and the courage to stand alone.
In History's Youngest Heroes, actress Nicola Coughlan (Bridgerton, Derry Girls) tells twelve true stories of rebellion, risk and the radical power of youth. Before she became a Hollywood star, how did the young Audrey Hepburn take on the Nazis during World War Two? As a young activist, how did Nelson Mandela attempt to overthrow the South African government to end apartheid? Did Queen of England, Lady Jane Grey give up her faith or face the executioner's axe? Why did Terry Fox, a young man with a prosthetic leg, set out to run the length of Canada? Join Nicola to hear inspiring tales of young heroes both famous and forgotten, whose bravery demonstrates how young people can change history.
In History's Secret Heroes, Helena Bonham Carter recounts untold stories of heroes from World War Two whose acts of resistance, deception and courage helped defeat fascism. In each episode, Helena shines a light on the spies, Royal Air Force pilots, army officers, prisoners of war and double agents who risked their lives to save others. Learn all about forgotten stories of survival, bravery and espionage - from the opera singers who helped dozens of Jewish people escape Nazi Germany, to the woman that Winston Churchill would go on to call his favourite spy.
Previous episodes have looked at the story of the American actor George Takei (Star Trek), who was imprisoned without trial along with 12,000 other Japanese Americans, and Bela Hazan, a young Jewish woman who went undercover at the Gestapo headquarters to fight against the Nazis. From secret missions behind enemy lines in occupied Europe, to underground resistance movements across Germany, France, Poland, Great Britain and beyond, History's Secret Heroes reveals how ordinary people can make an extraordinary impact.
Join Ray, Alex, Nicola and Helena for tales of deception, rebellion, risk and courage.
Episodes to download
-
Kitty O’Neil: Hollywood's Real Wonder Woman—History's Toughest Heroes
Tue 14 Oct 2025
2/11 How did a deaf woman defy the odds to become a Hollywood stuntwoman?
-
Peter Freuchen: Surviving the Arctic Wilderness—History's Toughest Heroes
Tue 7 Oct 2025
1/11 An arctic explorer is trapped in a snow drift. How will he escape?
-
Trailer—History's Toughest Heroes
Tue 30 Sep 2025
1/11 Adventurers, rebels and survivors who lived life on the edge, with Ray Winstone.
-
Miss La La and Kaira Fly Through the Air
Tue 30 Sep 2025
A circus performer and her acrobatic partner defy convention to become icons of the ring
-
BONUS: The Marvels of Madam C.J. Walker Part 2
Tue 23 Sep 2025
How did Madam C.J. Walker transform the beauty industry?
-
Nellie Bly Goes Undercover
Tue 9 Sep 2025
Can a young reporter expose the horrors of a New York asylum?
-
The Marvels of Madam C.J. Walker
Tue 2 Sep 2025
How did Sarah Breedlove become one of the wealthiest African American Women of her time?
-
William Dodd Fights the Factories
Tue 26 Aug 2025
A worker takes on the factory system and demands an end to brutal conditions.
-
-
Xuanzang Levels Up
Tue 12 Aug 2025
A ten thousand mile journey from China to India and back in search of lost knowledge.
-
The Fairytale Life of Hans Christian Andersen
Tue 5 Aug 2025
A Danish man writes a story about human suffering with an unusual hero at its heart.
-
BONUS: Gertrude Ederle Ruling The Waves Part 2
Tue 29 Jul 2025
How has Gertrude Ederle’s Channel Swim inspired a new wave of swimmers?
-
Gertrude Ederle: Ruling The Waves
Tue 22 Jul 2025
Will a young swimmer make it across the Channel and into the history books?
-
Eglantyne Jebb Saves The Children
Tue 15 Jul 2025
How a woman’s arrest in Trafalgar Square changed the lives of children around the world.
-
-
BONUS: Saving Face With Harold Gillies Part 2
Tue 1 Jul 2025
The complicated legacy of plastic surgeon Harold Gillies.
-
Rodgers & Hammerstein in the South Pacific
Tue 1 Jul 2025
A new musical production challenges the prejudices of American society.
-
Katharine Hepburn: Queen of the Screen
Tue 24 Jun 2025
A Hollywood star takes on the double standards of the studio system.
-
Saving Face with Harold Gillies
Tue 17 Jun 2025
Can a doctor rebuild the shattered faces of World War One soldiers?
-
Trailer
Tue 10 Jun 2025
Historian Alex von Tunzelmann shines a light on remarkable people from across history.
-
Ita Ekpenyon and the Blitz—History's Secret Heroes: Series 3
Tue 4 Mar 2025
Can a Nigerian warden stop a riot from breaking out in a London air raid shelter?
-
Agent Zo's Leap of Faith—History's Secret Heroes: Series 3
Tue 4 Mar 2025
Can Agent Zo save the lives of thousands of women in Nazi-occupied Poland?
-
Dudley Clarke: The Great Deceiver—History's Secret Heroes: Series 3
Tue 4 Mar 2025
How did a British army officer use magic tricks to fool the Nazis?
-
Leif Larsen and the Shetland Bus—History's Secret Heroes: Series 3
Tue 4 Mar 2025
Will the Nazis uncover the secret of the Shetland Bus?
-
The Night Witches—History's Secret Heroes: Series 3
Tue 4 Mar 2025
A group of Soviet women take to the skies to become night bombers.
-
Operation Anthropoid—History's Secret Heroes: Series 3
Tue 4 Mar 2025
Two men set out to assassinate one of Hitler’s most high-ranking officers.
-
The Salon Albahari—History's Secret Heroes: Series 3
Tue 4 Mar 2025
A fashion boutique in Sarajevo houses an enormous secret.
-
Witold Pilecki: The Infiltrator—History's Secret Heroes: Series 3
Tue 4 Mar 2025
Why did Witold Pilecki volunteer to be sent to Auschwitz?
-
Curt Bloch and the Underwater Cabaret—History's Secret Heroes: Series 3
Tue 4 Mar 2025
A German refugee risks his life to ridicule Hitler.
-
Noor Khan: The Operator—History's Secret Heroes: Series 3
Tue 4 Mar 2025
In occupied France, can Agent Madeleine escape from the Nazis?