Episodes
| Episode | First Broadcast | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | 20220328 | Hilda Matheson was a woman of high artistic integrity, with a passion for sharing with listeners the best of what was thought and said. This was to bring her into direct conflict with the man who recruited her to the BBC, John Reith. Both had a Scottish background, and both were the children of men of the cloth. Neither had conventional private lives, although Hilda's was happier and more fulfilled than Reith's. This remarkable true story takes place at the heart of the newly formed BBC, which operated in its early years from a number of buildings on Savoy Hill between the Thames and the Strand. Research assistance from Kate Murphy, author of Behind the Wireless: A History of Early Women at the BBC. Other key sources include Michael Carney's biography of Hilda Matheson, Stoker; Asa Briggs' The History of Broadcasting in the United Kingdom; The Natural Bent by Lionel Fielden; Ariel and All His Quality by R S Lambert; and Ian McIntyre's biography of John Reith, The Expense of Glory. Permission to quote from the letters of Harold Nicolson and Vita Sackville West kindly given by Juliet Nicolson and the Estates of Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson. Narrator: Clare Higgins Hilda Matheson: Romola Garai Vita Sackville West: Nancy Carroll John Reith: Derek Riddell Harold Nicolson / RS Lambert : Richard Goulding Lionel Fielden : Simon Paisley Day The pioneering early days of broadcasting were the scene of public and personal dramas. |
| 02 | 20220329 | Hilda Matheson was a woman of high artistic integrity, with a passion for sharing with listeners the best of what was thought and said. This was to bring her into direct conflict with the man who recruited her to the BBC, John Reith. Both had a Scottish background, and both were the children of men of the cloth. Neither had conventional private lives, although Hilda's was happier and more fulfilled than Reith's. This remarkable true story takes place at the heart of the newly formed BBC, which operated in its early years from a number of buildings on Savoy Hill between the Thames and the Strand. Research assistance from Kate Murphy, author of Behind the Wireless: A History of Early Women at the BBC. Other key sources include Michael Carney's biography of Hilda Matheson, Stoker; Asa Briggs' The History of Broadcasting in the United Kingdom; The Natural Bent by Lionel Fielden; Ariel and All His Quality by R S Lambert; and Ian McIntyre's biography of John Reith, The Expense of Glory. Permission to quote from the letters of Harold Nicolson and Vita Sackville West kindly given by Juliet Nicolson and the Estates of Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson. Narrator: Clare Higgins Hilda Matheson: Romola Garai Vita Sackville West: Nancy Carroll John Reith: Derek Riddell Harold Nicolson / RS Lambert : Richard Goulding Lionel Fielden : Simon Paisley Day Hilda Matheson's early career laid the foundations for her success at the BBC. |
| 03 | 20220330 | Hilda Matheson was a woman of high artistic integrity, with a passion for sharing with listeners the best of what was thought and said. This was to bring her into direct conflict with the man who recruited her to the BBC, John Reith. Both had a Scottish background, and both were the children of men of the cloth. Neither had conventional private lives, although Hilda's was happier and more fulfilled than Reith's. This remarkable true story takes place at the heart of the newly formed BBC, which operated in its early years from a number of buildings on Savoy Hill between the Thames and the Strand. Research assistance from Kate Murphy, author of Behind the Wireless: A History of Early Women at the BBC. Other key sources include Michael Carney's biography of Hilda Matheson, Stoker; Asa Briggs' The History of Broadcasting in the United Kingdom; The Natural Bent by Lionel Fielden; Ariel and All His Quality by R S Lambert; and Ian McIntyre's biography of John Reith, The Expense of Glory. Permission to quote from the letters of Harold Nicolson and Vita Sackville West kindly given by Juliet Nicolson and the Estates of Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson. Narrator: Clare Higgins Hilda Matheson: Romola Garai Vita Sackville West: Nancy Carroll John Reith: Derek Riddell Harold Nicolson / RS Lambert : Richard Goulding Lionel Fielden : Simon Paisley Day Hilda Matheson joined the BBC in 1926 and was soon impressing her colleagues. |
| 04 | 20220331 | Hilda Matheson was a woman of high artistic integrity, with a passion for sharing with listeners the best of what was thought and said. This was to bring her into direct conflict with the man who recruited her to the BBC, John Reith. Both had a Scottish background, and both were the children of men of the cloth. Neither had conventional private lives, although Hilda's was happier and more fulfilled than Reith's. This remarkable true story takes place at the heart of the newly formed BBC, which operated in its early years from a number of buildings on Savoy Hill between the Thames and the Strand. Research assistance from Kate Murphy, author of Behind the Wireless: A History of Early Women at the BBC. Other key sources include Michael Carney's biography of Hilda Matheson, Stoker; Asa Briggs' The History of Broadcasting in the United Kingdom; The Natural Bent by Lionel Fielden; Ariel and All His Quality by R S Lambert; and Ian McIntyre's biography of John Reith, The Expense of Glory. Permission to quote from the letters of Harold Nicolson and Vita Sackville West kindly given by Juliet Nicolson and the Estates of Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson. Narrator: Clare Higgins Hilda Matheson: Romola Garai Vita Sackville West: Nancy Carroll John Reith: Derek Riddell Harold Nicolson / RS Lambert : Richard Goulding Lionel Fielden : Simon Paisley Day The pioneering 'programme builders' were led by the energetic Miss Matheson. |
| 05 | 20220401 | Hilda Matheson was a woman of high artistic integrity, with a passion for sharing with listeners the best of what was thought and said. This was to bring her into direct conflict with the man who recruited her to the BBC, John Reith. Both had a Scottish background, and both were the children of men of the cloth. Neither had conventional private lives, although Hilda's was happier and more fulfilled than Reith's. This remarkable true story takes place at the heart of the newly formed BBC, which operated in its early years from a number of buildings on Savoy Hill between the Thames and the Strand. Research assistance from Kate Murphy, author of Behind the Wireless: A History of Early Women at the BBC. Other key sources include Michael Carney's biography of Hilda Matheson, Stoker; Asa Briggs' The History of Broadcasting in the United Kingdom; The Natural Bent by Lionel Fielden; Ariel and All His Quality by R S Lambert; and Ian McIntyre's biography of John Reith, The Expense of Glory. Permission to quote from the letters of Harold Nicolson and Vita Sackville West kindly given by Juliet Nicolson and the Estates of Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson. Narrator: Clare Higgins Hilda Matheson: Romola Garai Vita Sackville West: Nancy Carroll John Reith: Derek Riddell Harold Nicolson / RS Lambert : Richard Goulding Lionel Fielden : Simon Paisley Day Matters controversial and debateable arise. Reith disagrees with Miss Matheson. |