Profile

Evan Gershkovich is the Wall Street Journal's Moscow reporter. He's been imprisoned in Russia since March last year, and has just gone on trial there - the first American journalist to be jailed in Russia since the Cold War. He's accused of espionage, something he, his employer and his government all strenuously deny. To his friends, like Jeremy Berke, he is "the most extroverted person that I've ever met in my whole life". He loves football and is a dedicated Arsenal fan - so much so that he'd get his flatmates in Brooklyn up at 7am on Sunday mornings - despite them having been out on the town together till the early hours - to watch Arsenal matches with him on TV. The son of Soviet-born, Jewish parents who'd fled to the USA in the late 70s, he grew up speaking Russian at home. Once in Moscow as a reporter, his fellow correspondents - many of whom quickly became friends too - were impressed by his drive, his knowledge of Russia's language and culture, his ease at making contacts, and his willingness to go the extra mile - often literally, to places like the remote Russian republics of Udmurtia and Yakutia. He's now been detained for fifteen months and counting. Gershkovich's friends and family say his release can't come too soon; they're waiting to welcome him home with hugs, and the desire "to never let him leave again". CONTRIBUTORS Joshua Yaffa, Moscow Correspondent of the New Yorker magazine, friend of Evan Gershkovich Jeremy Burke, MBA student at Columbia university, and Editor-in-chief of “Cultivated” media, friend of Evan Gershkovich Deborah Ball, Deputy World Editor of Wall Street Journal Nora Biette-Timmons, friend of Evan Gershkovich Pjotr Sauer, Russia Correspondent of The Guardian, friend and colleague Danielle Gershkovich, sister of EvanPRODUCTION TEAM Presenter: Mark Coles Producers: Arlene Gregorius, Julie Ball Editor: Penny Murphy Sound: Neil Churchill Production Coordinator: Maria Ogundele

Before she became one of the best-selling musicians of all time, Shania Twain worked for the family tree-planting business, singing for tips in lumberjack bars to help make ends meet. Stephen Smith charts the rise of a hard-up Canadian country girl, from a violent family home, to a country-pop crossover superstar. This year's Glastonbury 'Legends' slot will be the first time some will have seen or heard from Shania in decades - we hear about the disease that robbed her of her voice at the peak of her powers in the early 2000s and, along with a devastating divorce, led to a 15-year gap between albums. CONTRIBUTORS John Kim Bell, former producer and boyfriend Lindsay Ell, guitarist Jake Gosling, music producer Marc Bouwer, fashion designerPRODUCTION TEAM Presenter: Stephen Smith Producers: Simon Tulett, Natasha Fernandes Editor: Penny Murphy Sound: Neil Churchill Production Coordinator: Maria Ogundele

Sometimes known as the “sultan of swing,” Professor Sir John Curtice has become an institution of election coverage in the UK. But is there more to the man than stats and figures? There might be some broad beans and jam, as Mark Coles finds out.CONTRIBUTORS Rev Dr Lisa Curtice, John’s wife Phil Tremewan, childhood friend John Leston, friend from university David Dimbleby, broadcaster Paddy O’Connell, BBC broadcasterPRODUCTION TEAM Presenter: Mark Coles Producers: Ivana Davidovic, Diane Richardson and Julie Ball Editor: Tom Bigwood Sound: James Beard Production Coordinator: Maria Ogundele

Who is National Rally's 28-year-old leader, Jordan Bardella? Stephen Smith looks at the life of the boy from the Paris suburbs who joined the far-right as a teenager and rapidly became the face of National Rally, helping to bring success for the party in the European elections.CCONTRIBUTORS Cécile Alduy, Professor of French Studies, Stanford University, Political Scientist, Sciences PO Paris Aymeric Durox, National Rally Senator Pascal Humeau, Communications Advisor and Media Trainer Bénédicte Paviot, UK Correspondent France 24 Pierre-Stéphane Fort, Jordan Bardella biographerPRODUCTION TEAM Presenter: Stephen Smith Producers: Diane Richardson, Ivana Davidovic, Julie Ball Editor: Tom Bigwood Sound: Neil Churchill Production Co-ordinators: Maria Ogundele, Rosie Strawbridge

Rylan Clark is on the cusp of becoming a national treasure. Having defied the odds of most reality TV stars, he has managed to stay the course, cementing his already steady career rise to the top with his most recent television outing with Rob Rinder 'Rob and Rylan's Grand Tour', which showed the viewing public a whole new side to his talents. Brought up in the East End by his mum, Linda. Rylan or Ross as his family and friends know him, was always performing from a young age, according to his mum. The family moved to Essex when he was around 11 going to school in Upminster, where Ross was a mischievous and talented student. After a few years in retail he started modelling and went off to Ibiza where he was in tribute bands to Take That and Westlife. His big break came when he appeared on X Factor in 2012. Although he didn't win, he did make an impression, and after winning Celebrity Big Brother his career took off. Mark Coles charts the rise of Rylan Clark. CONTRIBUTORS Scott Bryan, TV critic and Broadcaster Linda Clark, Mother Bernice Cole, Make-up artist and friend Nader Dehdashti, Agent and friend Mark Duncan, Deputy Headmaster, Coopers' Company and Coborn School Robert Rinder, Broadcaster and BarristerPRODUCTION TEAM Presenter: Mark Coles Producers: Julie Ball, Diane Richardson, Ivana Davidovic Editor: Tom Bigwood Sound: James Beard Production Co-ordinator: Maria OgundeleCREDITS X Factor - Thames and Syco Entertainment Rob and Rylan's Grand Tour - Rex Productions Keeping Up Appearances - BBC Masterchef - Endemol Shine UK How to Be a Man - Mindhouse production for BBC Sounds How to Be in the Spotlight - Mindhouse production for BBC Sounds

Alan Bleasdale, the Liverpudlian screenwriter and playwright, is in the spotlight this week as a stage version of his iconic 1980's TV series 'Boys from the Blackstuff' opened at the National Theatre. Born in Liverpool, an only child who first went into teaching, his first public work was 'Scully' for Radio Merseyside, a kind of Liverpudlian Adrian Mole, which he wrote whilst he was still teaching. But it was 'Boys from the Blackstuff' that made him a household name with one of the characters, Yosser Hughes' line 'Gissa job' providing a chant on the stands of his beloved Liverpool Football Club. His work has courted controversy with successive governments, although he says he's not political, only voting for the first time at the age of 38. Now in his late 70's and 40 years on from the original television series, he's back in the spotlight. Stephen Smith talks to friends and colleagues about his work, phobias and how to tell if you're having a heart attack. CONTRIBUTORS Peter Ansorge, former Script Producer, BBC Drama and Commissioning Editor James Graham, Playwright and Screenwriter Robert Lindsay, Actor Sir Michael Palin, Actor and Author Tony Schumacher, Author and Screenwriter Trevor Stent, former teaching colleague PRODUCTION TEAM Presenter: Stephen Smith Producers: Julie Ball, Diane Richardson Researcher: Marianna Brain Editor: Bridget Harney Sound: Neil Churchill Production Co-ordinator: Maria OgundeleCREDITS Boys from the Blackstuff, BBC Drama GBH, Channel 4 Scully's New Years Eve, BBC

Ann-Marie Powell, is the exuberant and colourful, garden designer, whose' Octavia Hill 'Garden was one of the eight main gardens in competition at the Chelsea Flower Show this year. After dropping out of college she spent six months travelling in India, Nepal and New Zealand, which inspired her to take up gardening. Attending Capel Manor horticultural college her first job was working in sales for a large nursery. But Ann-Marie's colourful personal style and outgoing personality led her employer to encourage her to apply for a job as a presenter on a TV gardening show. She soon blossomed into a popular gardening show host working with fellow gardeners like Carol Klein, Joe Swift and gardening supremo, Monty Don. In addition to running her own successful garden design business from the home she shares with her husband and two boys, on the Hampshire borders, she feels it's important that everyone should have access to green spaces, no matter where they live. During lockdown her Instagram page 'My Real Garden' was a big hit broadcasting garden tips and advice everyday. CONTRIBUTORS Julian Bundy, Husband Angela Halksworth, Co-owner of Tendercare Nurseries Janet Morgan, Friend Jane Owen, Garden Designer Mark Straver, Founder of Hortus Loci Cleve West, Award-winning Garden Designer Tamsin Westhorpe, Gardener and Horticulture WriterPRODUCTION TEAM Presenter: Mark Coles Producers: Julie Ball, Diane Richardson Editor: Bridget Harney Production Co-ordinator: Maria Ogundele Sound: David CracklesCREDITS Gardens, Weeds and Words Podcast - Presented by Andrew O'Brien Real Gardens - Channel 4 RHS National Trust My Real Garden - Ann-Marie Powell's Instagram

You may know her from Play School, Bafta or the House of Lords, Baroness Floella Benjamin doesn’t sit still, she’s even appeared in panto.Stephen Smith hears about the remarkable life of the Trinidad-born actress, TV presenter and author, who campaigns passionately for children and the Windrush generation.CONTRIBUTORS Colin Webb, Publisher, 'Coming to England' Nero Ughwujabo, Senior Strategy Adviser - Equality Diversity and Inclusion, The Prince's Trust Lord Simon Woolley, Principal at Homerton College, Cambridge University Johnny Ball, Children's TV presenter Paul Nicholas, Actor Linzi Beuselinck, Actress Jeremy Swan, Children's TV producer Ros Edwards, TV producerPRODUCTION TEAM Presenter: Stephen Smith Producers: Diane Richardso, Drew Hyndman Editor: Tom Bigwood Programme Coordinator: Maria Ogundele Sound: Neil ChurchillCREDITS BAFTA Aladdin and The Forty Thieves, BBC 1984

After over four decades in the SNP and nearly two in government, John Swinney is finally stepping up to the top job for the first time, becoming Scotland’s new First Minister.He’s no stranger to big jobs - it’s actually his second stint as SNP leader - but leading his country and his party is looking tougher than ever, as the SNP finds itself facing formidable challenges.Who is this stalwart of the SNP, and do his life and experiences equip him for the task ahead? Mark Coles talks to friends, colleagues, and those who’ve watched this political operator up close for years.CONTRIBUTORS Rosanna Cunningham, former MSP, Deputy Leader to John Swinney Allan Little, BBC Special Correspondent Glenn Campbell, Political Editor, BBC Scotland News Rev. Neil Glover, Church of Scotland Minister Ian Blackford, Scottish National Party, MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber Pam Muir, constituency organiser for Perthshire NorthPRODUCTION TEAM Presenter: Mark Coles Producer: Nathan Gower Assistant Producer: Diane Richardson and Marianna Brain Editor: Tom Bigwood Programme Coordinators: Maria Ogundele Sound Engineer: Neil ChurchillCREDITS ‘John Swinney (We Salute You)' by Nocturnal Vermin (Isaac Brutal, James ‘Slippyunderfoot‘ McCready, Arnold Bastard)

Isaac Levido has established a formidable reputation as a election strategist, helping to craft wins both in the UK and Australia. Thought of as a protege of the quasi-legendary election guru Sir Lynton Crosby in his early years, he’s rapidly racked up achievements of his own, propelling both Scott Morrison and Boris Johnson back into office with his brand of data-driven analysis.Stephen Smith opens the black box that is electoral strategising and sets out to understand the mind of the man who is set to shape the Conservatives’ impending general election campaign.CONTRIBUTORS Katy Balls, Political Editor of The Spectator Alexander Downer, former leader of the Australian Liberal Party Paul Stephenson, Vote Leave Campaign Director Lord Andrew Feldman, former chair of the Conservative Party David Bold, friend and Australian political advisorPRODUCTION TEAM Presenter: Stephen Smith Producer: Nathan Gower Assistant Producers: Julie Ball, Diane Richardson Editor: Tom Bigwood Programme Coordinator: Maria Ogundele Sound Engineer: Neil ChurchillCREDITS The Thick of It, BBC Scott Morrison election night speech, ABC News Boris Johnson election victory speech