Masterpiece Studio

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for episode 1 of World on Fire Season 2.  Historical advisor Richard Overy joins us as we kick off Season 2 of World on Fire. A lot happened in that first year of WWII, and because this show closely follows the real life history of the war, we want to take a moment to get oriented. If you’re confused about the North African campaign, never ending bombings in Manchester, or the U.S’s non-involvement, don’t fret. We here at MASTERPIECE Studio have got you covered. Let us bring you up to speed about everything in Episode 1.

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Unforgotten Season 5.  For actor Sanjeev Bhaskar and writer and creator Chris Lang, Season 5 of Unforgotten was full of new challenges and uncomfortable moments. But by the end of this season, we’re left with a glimmer of hope. As Sanjeev and Chris discuss the final episode of this season, we’re reminded that even in the most difficult of situations, there is always the promise of new beginnings.

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for episode four of Season Five of Unforgotten. Unforgotten creator and writer Chris Lang knew it would take time for both audiences and characters to grieve the loss of the beloved Cassie Stuart, played by Nicola Walker, and welcome in Jessica James, played by Sinéad Keenan. In this episode, Lang reveals some of the decisions he made when crafting this transition, and why the obvious choice was to lean into the unexpected.

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for World on Fire Season 1. It’s been more than three years since MASTERPIECE aired Season 1 of World on Fire in 2020 — so don’t worry if you don’t remember exactly what happened in the first season. But rest assured: we’ve got you covered. With Season 2 of World on Fire just around the corner, let’s go back to the beginning and make sure we’re all caught up on every stolen glance, every failed mission, and every one of Robina’s withering comments as we prepare to parachute back into World on Fire.

As an Unforgotten fan herself, actor Sinéad Keenan was well aware of the boots she was filling by stepping into the role of the new DCI. And as if that wasn’t enough of a hurdle for her character DCI Jessica James, less than an hour before her first day at work, Jess’s husband Steve drops some shattering news. Sinéad joins the podcast this week to reflect on some of the challenges her character faces and how she approached playing the bristly and complex Jessica James.

At the end of Season 4 of Unforgotten DCI Cassie Stuart, played by Nicola Walker, tragically died in a car accident, sending shockwaves out to the other characters, actors, and viewers alike. But Sunny Khan is hit especially hard, given his close working relationship with Cassie. Sanjeev Bhaskar joins us to discuss how Sunny deals with this change, and what struggles and triumphs might lie ahead for his character this season.

Warning: This episode contains spoilers for Episode One of  'Little Women'. This is an encore release of an earlier podcast episode. Dame Angela Lansbury was an acting icon for more than 75 years. Her credits spanned from Gaslight, Mame, and Murder, She Wrote to Beauty and the Beast and Little Women. She died in October 2022, and left behind a rich legacy of characters that are as iconic and memorable as the actor herself. As PBS re-broadcasts MASTERPIECE’s 2018 production of Little Women, we thought we’d revisit our 2018 conversation with her as she takes us through highlights of her prodigious career and reveals what she learned on the "Little Women" set.

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for the series finale of Endeavour. For over a decade, lead actor Shaun Evans has starred as Endeavour Morse. We’ve watched him transform from the young, talented and eager Morse, into the gruff, solitary, and brilliant Morse character portrayed by John Thaw in the original Inspector Morse series. As this series draws to a satisfying conclusion, Shaun Evans joins us to reflect on this final season, and why it felt like the right time to say goodbye to Endeavour.

After 11 years of murder, mystery, and mystifying crossword puzzles, we’ve come to the final season of Endeavour. This episode is from a live conversation our host, Jace Lacob, had with Morse himself — star, director and producer Shaun Evans — during PBS’s virtual Endeavour event. 

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Endeavour Seasons 1-8. As Endeavour fans will know, this show packs its fair share of clever and unpredictable details into every episode. So, let’s make sure we’re all caught up on every clue, every chance meeting, and every furtive glance as we gear up for the final season of Endeavour on this special recap episode of MASTERPIECE Studio.

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Tom Jones episode 4. Solly McLeod joins the podcast to discuss his meteoric rise as an actor and how he relates to his Tom Jones character, as we bid a fond farewell to this joyful coming-of-age love story.

Honour Newton isn’t your typical lady’s maid. She’s outspoken and frank, but always provides unwavering support to her lovesick mistress Sophia Western, despite some very uncomfortable situations. Actor Pearl Mackie joins the podcast to discuss how her Tom Jones character strikes a balance between honesty and duty.

Tom Jones co-star Sophie Wilde reflects on what it means for her character, Sophia Western, to take charge of her own journey in defiance of her family—and society's expectations—in pursuit of her one true love.

Gwyneth Hughes is no stranger to serious period dramas, but wanted to try something more lighthearted and romantic. Hughes discusses the decisions and joys of adapting Henry Fielding’s 1,000-page, deeply human, mother of all rom coms into four episodes of pure sunshine.

Warning: This episode contains spoilers for Episode Six of the Third Season of Sanditon. After three dramatic seasons, the series finale of Sanditon brings the story of Jane Austen’s unfinished final novel to a satisfying conclusion. Rose Williams and Crystal Clarke discuss the resolution of Charlotte Heywood’s and Georgiana Lambe’s stories and reflect on what this series has meant to them as actors.

Warning: This episode contains spoilers for Episode Five of the Third Season of Sanditon.  Mary Parker has steadfastly supported the dreams of her visionary husband, Tom, but when his vision for Sanditon collides with Mary’s belief in what is right and just, she can support him no longer. Actor Kate Ashfield joins the podcast to discuss how Mary Parker finds her voice by pushing against Tom’s intolerable plans. 

Warning: This episode contains spoilers for Episode Three of the Third Season of Sanditon. Georgiana Lambe’s fortune has proven to be a blessing and a curse. While it provides her with safety and independence, it is also a magnet for fortune hunters and gossip mongers. In this interview, Crystal Clarke reveals some of the challenges Georgiana confronts as she defends not only her wealth, but also her identity.

It’s been anything but smooth sailing for Charlotte Heywood since she first arrived in Sanditon. After experiencing heartbreak twice, she returns to the seaside resort this time with her childhood friend and fiancé, Ralph Starling. Actor Rose Williams joins us to discuss Charlotte’s pursuit of self-discovery as we kick off this third and final season of Sanditon.

Warning: This episode contains spoilers for Episode Seven of the Third Season of All Creatures Great and Small. At the end of the third season of All Creatures Great and Small, World War II has finally come to the Yorkshire Dales. Series leads Rachel Shenton and Nicholas Ralph reflect on their characters’ first season as a married couple, and anticipate what the arrival of war will mean for the Dales — and for the Herriots themselves.

Warning: This episode contains spoilers for Episode Six of the Third Season of Miss Scarlet and The Duke. As a title character in Miss Scarlet and The Duke, William ‘Duke’ Wellington has a remarkably poor crime solving rate when compared to his amateur friend and colleague, Eliza Scarlet. But Stuart Martin assures viewers that the Duke is solving 100% of the crimes you don’t see him investigate, just off screen — not including the mystery of his love life, that is.