As you get to know the denizens of Ambridge and the extended Archers clan, they start to seem like real people. Jane feels like the Aldridges, The Grundys and the Horrobins clan are part of her own family and community.
Jules adds: “The characters are all well rounded and have different facets, making them engaging and interesting.”
You learn stuff
Several of the characters are farmers, so you get a fascinating insight into country life. As Mark says: “The show connects us with what is on our daily plate and how it got there.”
Miranda feels that the chances of hearing something different from your ordinary life is high. But Brenda adds: “Even though I live in a village, most of my knowledge of agriculture is gleaned from The Archers!”
There’s something for everyone
You’ll soon latch on to characters and story threads that appeal to you: from stroppy (and sometimes wise) teenagers, to wise (and sometimes stroppy) octogenarians.
Nigel says: “Just as I ran away to the big city and became an urban gay man, so the Archers has evolved too… continuing the tradition of non-traditional families that Jenny began”. That’s Jennifer Aldridge. In 1968, her son Adam was scandalously born ‘out of wedlock’. Now he has a husband and a son, and runs the biggest farm in Ambridge.
Debbie adds: “It’s great to have [Asian characters] Usha and the Maliks included, and the East European characters that have popped in and out.”
So jump in!
We’ll leave the last word to Miranda: “I’d encourage people to listen out of curiosity. Just do it! Give it a go!”