Piers Litherland has been called a modern-day Indiana Jones. He’s a former banker-turned-archaeologist who led the discovery of the lost tomb of Tutankhamun's relative, Thutmose II. As a child, Litherland was obsessed with Egypt. It was a passion that never left him, even as he pursued a career in finance. But it was only after a chance meeting with an eminent Egyptologist from Cambridge that he decided to ditch the office job and follow his heart. Since then, Litherland has headed a joint Anglo-Egyptian mission in Egypt’s Western Wadis - funding the project himself. Then, in February 2025, his team made what’s been called ‘the discovery of the century’ - the tomb of Thutmose II, an ancestor of Tutankhamun. Litherland said he cried when he realised what he'd found. Stephen Smith speaks to friends, family and colleagues of Piers Litherland, charting his life and passion that led to the discovery of the first tomb of an Egyptian King since Tutankhamun in 1922.Presenter: Stephen Smith
Producers: Ben Crighton and Natasha Fernandes
Production Co-ordinator: Maria Ogundele
Sound: James Beard
Editor: Nick Holland
Credits:
Archive recording and audio logs of archaeological dig, Rabee Eissa and Jenny Litherland
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Zohran Mamdani
Zohran Mamdani is the Democratic candidate for New Yok City mayor after a stunning victory in the primary race. If he goes on to win the mayoral election in November he will become the first Muslim and Indian American to lead the nation's largest city. His nomination came as a shock to some in the mainstream Democratic party who worry his policies are too extreme and could alienate swing voters. Before turning to politics Mr Mamdani had a brief career in the music industry. Mark Coles interviews his friends and family about his rise from rap artist to politician.
Presenter: Mark ColesProducers: Natasha Fernandes and Ben CrightonProduction Co-ordinator: Maria OgundeleSound: Gareth JonesEditor: Nick Holland
Credits:
CBS New York “Zohran Mamdani claims victory in NYC Democratic mayoral primary”
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert “Colber Talks NYC Mayroal Race with Candidates Zohran Mamdani & Brad Lander”
Zohran Mamdani’s Instagram and TikTok
abc News "Trump threatens to arrest NYC mayoral front-runner Zohran Mamdani"
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Charli xcx
Charlie xcx is known to fans for her avant-garde, innovative approach to pop music. For many, the singer-songwriter, who’s won 5 BRIT awards and 3 Grammys, is one of the most influential figures in 21st century pop. Born Charlotte Aitchison in Cambridge in 1992 and raised in Essex, she was still at school when she began posting songs on MySpace and performing at warehouse raves, eventually landing a record deal in 2010. Her stage name, Charli xcx is a nod to her MSN screen name from when she was younger. Charli xcx first had success writing and collaborating on hits for other people. Her 2024 album, Brat, became a global pop culture phenomenon and was even embraced by US Presidential candidate, Kamala Harris, for a while. Mark Coles charts her career from wannabe teenage rave DJ to major label star. Presenter: Mark Coles
Producers: Natasha Fernandes and Sally Abrahams
Production Co-ordinator: Maria Ogundele
Sound: David Crackles
Editor: Nick HollandCredits:
CBS “America Decides”, July 2024. Abigail De Kosnik, associate professor for the Berkeley Center for New Media.
BBC 3 Charli XCX: Alone Together, D&Productions
Ivor Novello Awards 2025
!Franceskaar! Charli xcx, 2008
CBS News Shorts, 2024
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Blaise Metreweli
Current Director-General of Technology and Innovation, Blaise Metreweli, was recently appointed as the new chief of the UK’s Secret Intelligence Service, MI6. She’s the first woman to assume the role. She attended Westminster School, where she got a glimpse of leadership in her role as head girl. In 1995, she went on to study Anthropology at Cambridge University. Beyond the lecture halls, Blaise Metreweli was a keen sportswoman. In 1997, the Cambridge women's team she was in beat their rivals Oxford University in the Boat Race. After graduating, she set her sights on an international career, applying to be a diplomat but was diverted to work for MI6 instead. During her time serving as a spy, she was reportedly posted to Europe, Iraq and other parts of the Middle East.Presenter: Stephen Smith
Producers: Ben Crighton and Natasha Fernandes
Production Coordinator: Maria Ogundele
Sound Engineer: Neil Churchill
Editor: Nick Holland
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Liz Carr
Actress and disability campaigner, Liz Carr, is probably best known for her role as forensic examiner, Clarissa Mullery, in the TV crime drama, Silent Witness. She’s also done comedy, theatre and even written a musical, about what she calls ‘assisted suicide’. Last year she fronted the award-winning BBC TV documentary, Better Off Dead, making the case against assisted dying.Born and raised in Merseyside, Liz Carr became seriously ill when she was seven and has used a wheelchair since she was eleven. Whilst studying law at Nottingham University, she got involved in politics, disabled rights and activism. As her public profile grew she became a powerful voice in the debates over assisted dying. As the assisted dying bill returns to the Commons this week, with MPs debating and voting on a series of contentious amendments, Mark Coles speaks to Liz’s friends and colleagues about her acting, comedy and campaigning. Presenter: Mark Coles
Producers: Sally Abrahams and Nik Sindle
Production co-ordinator: Janet Staples
Sound: Neil Churchill
Editor: Nick Holland Credits:
Silent Witness: ‘Covenant part 2’ (2017) BBC/Cipango Productions Audiovisuelles/Dir. David Drury
Better Off Dead (2024); Burning Bright Productions/ BBC/Dir. James Routh
Hardtalk – Stephen Sackur interviews Liz Carr
Abnormally Funny People, 2005, Edinburgh Fringe show
Dirty Dancing (1987) Great American Films Limited Partnership/Vestron Pictures/Dir. Emile Ardolino
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