Best Wallander Podcasts (2025)

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Understanding the Strength of the European Far Right 53:19

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4d ago53:19

53:19

Please join the Transatlantic Security Program at CNAS’s Annual Conference: America’s Edge, on June 3rd! Analysis from the Economist in February this year shows that far- right parties are now Europe’s most popular family of political parties by vote share – overtaking conservative and social-democratic parties for the first time in modern European…

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Episode forty four - "Pie in the Sky" (season three, episode two, "Game Pie") 34:38

10d ago34:38

34:38

Send us a text Another pheasant shoot, another dead (human) body. Get new interests, people! These shoots aren't safe! This is especially true for the high ranking hobbyists of Westershire police force, ACC Fisher, and Inspector Henry Crabb. Henry is a chef and a policeman, because why not? He's also not great with cash and manages to lose a wad of…

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Gill Hornby, Miss Austen | MASTERPIECE Studio 32:44

16d ago32:44

32:44

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Miss Austen. Writer Gill Hornby has been a fan of Jane Austen’s work since she first read Mansfield Park as a teenager. But it wasn’t until Gill moved to the village of Kintbury that she became surrounded by and interested in Jane’s life. In her novel, Miss Austen, Gill explores the deep bond between Jane…

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What Ukraine and Russia are Negotiating in Turkey 1:00:42

18d ago1:00:42

1:00:42

Direct talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul this week – the first since March 2022 – have got off to a shaky start. Putin’s no-show meant President Zelenskyy remained in Ankara on Thursday, but he plans to send a delegation to Istanbul led by his Defense Minister. Russia’s unwillingness to send a more senior delegation suggests they are not…

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Episode forty three - "Ellis" (season one, episode three, "Brindleton") 52:12

19d ago52:12

52:12

Send us a text At last! The long awaited Ellis! Channel Five have come good with this one (adverts notwithstanding) as Ellis is not half bad. Sharon D. Clarke is pretty fab, if a bit brooding, in the title role, and the story holds together so long as you don't think about it too much, which, of course, we do. There are citizen journalists, the mos…

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Canada and Carney’s New American Approach 52:53

25d ago52:53

52:53

In highly anticipated federal elections on April 28th, Canada’s Liberal Party emerged victorious after staging a major comeback in the polls over the past several months. This comeback victory took place against the backdrop of rising tensions between Canada and the United States, with the Trump administration’s combative stance toward its northern…

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Not the episode you've been waiting for. 4:27

25d ago4:27

4:27

Send us a text Hey crime drama lovers, Sorry about the lack of a proper episode this week - Lex has been facing challenges at work that even a team including Jane Tennison, Endeavour Morse, Sherlock Holmes, and Jackson Brodie would struggle to overcome. We will get "Ellis" out to you next week! In the meantime, here is Lily rambling on for five min…

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Encore: Gwyneth Hughes, Mr Bates vs The Post Office | MASTERPIECE Studio 32:53

30d ago32:53

32:53

This is an encore release of an earlier podcast episode. For writer Gwyneth Hughes, Mr Bates vs The Post Office is the perfect culmination of her years of experience as a journalist, documentarian, and dramatist. This week, Gwyneth joins us to discuss how she adapted this true story for the screen, and the real-life impact of this drama series as t…

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Peter Kosminsky, Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light | MASTERPIECE Studio 33:00

1M ago33:00

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WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light. Director Peter Kosminsky worked closely with late author Hilary Mantel to bring the story of Thomas Cromwell’s rise and fall to the screen. Today, he shares his experience working with Hilary, filming on the same Hampton Court Palace flagstones where King Henry VIII on…

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Ukraine Negotiates for Its Future 56:55

1M ago56:55

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There’s been a flurry of activity on the Ukraine front this week. Over the weekend, Donald Trump briefly met with Zelensky in Rome during ceremonies for Pope Francis’ funeral. A deal over mineral rights seems imminent, and President Trump rebuked Vladimir Putin, accusing him of leading him along as Russian strikes on Ukraine continue. However, unce…

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Mark Rylance, Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light | MASTERPIECE Studio 45:18

1M ago45:18

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WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode Six of Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light. Actor Sir Mark Rylance earned multiple awards for his nuanced portrayal of Thomas Cromwell in Wolf Hall. He returns to the role in the sequel, Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light, and explores a more vulnerable side to Henry’s infamous fixer. Today, Mark…

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Episode forty two - "Case Histories" (season one, episodes one and two, "Case Histories.") 54:06

1M ago54:06

54:06

Send us a text Welcome to our first episode recorded face to face, in the same room rather than hundreds of miles apart! We had a WONDERFUL time, although the benefit to you is nil. The sound quality is patchy (we had tried for a studio but it was Good Friday and weverything was closed) as we were in Lily's airbnb room, and we are horribly hungover…

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Germany's New Defense Agenda 57:17

1M ago57:17

57:17

On April 9th, Friedrich Merz, the leader of Germany’s center-right Christian Democratic Union, secured a coalition agreement with the Social Democrats following his party’s victory in the federal elections. In early May, the Bundestag is expected to convene and elect him as the next Chancellor. One of the most significant initiatives of this new go…

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Peter Straughan, Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light | MASTERPIECE Studio 37:04

1M ago37:04

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WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode Five of Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light. Screenwriter, and newly minted Oscar winner, Peter Straughan is fascinated by stories of loyalty and betrayal. In Episode Five of Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light, Cromwell’s loyalty is under question. Today, Peter joins the podcast to discuss adapti…

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Damian Lewis, Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light | MASTERPIECE Studio 28:41

2M ago28:41

28:41

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode Four of Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light. Actor Damian Lewis is well-known to MASTERPIECE viewers for his iconic roles in The Forsyte Saga and Wolf Hall. He joins the podcast to discuss the sequel, Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light, and reflects on playing one of the most notorious kings in E…

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Episode forty one - "Rosemary and Thyme" (season three, episode five, "Three Legs Good") 52:26

2M ago52:26

52:26

Send us a text First off, let us apologise for the amount we talk about the weather and various weather apps at the beginning. It's almost like we didn't want to talk about Rosemary and Thyme. Almost. But we do get into it, and what towering achievment of television it isn't. There are two people shot dead, some extortion, terrible wallpapering, a …

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The Hidden Past and Uncertain Future of the U.S. and Ukraine with Celeste Wallander 1:04:36

2M ago1:04:36

1:04:36

Under the Trump administration, U.S. support for Ukraine is no longer guaranteed. President Trump's pause on aid and intelligence to Ukraine in March may have been brief, but it sent a clear message to Europe and Ukraine that the U.S. may no longer be a reliable partner for Ukraine. A reduction or end to U.S. support for Ukraine could have a signif…

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Lilit Lesser, Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light | MASTERPIECE Studio 34:19

2M ago34:19

34:19

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode Three of Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light. Actor Lilit Lesser is a familiar face to MASTERPIECE audiences, appearing in both Wolf Hall and Endeavour. Lilit joins us today to discuss playing Lady Mary in Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light, and examine how the character balances faith with forti…

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Europe's Trade War Woes 1:02:00

2M ago1:02:00

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On April 2nd, President Trump imposed sweeping tariffs across the globe – with only a handful of countries left untouched. The EU was hit with tariffs of 20% and the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has promised a ‘united response’ and stated a willingness to retaliate. As the U.S.’s biggest trading partner, any actions taken by t…

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Kirsten Claiden-Yardley, Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light | MASTERPIECE Studio 20:02

2M ago20:02

20:02

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode Two of Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light. Historian and production researcher Kirsten Claiden-Yardley returns to the podcast to discuss the world of King Henry VIII and his court and distinguish fact from fiction in the first two episodes of Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light.…

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Episode forty - "Towards Zero" 59:40

2M ago59:40

59:40

Send us a text It's another Agatha Christie! Drink every time Lily says "I know we're not talking about the book, but..." Actually, don't, that would be dangerous. Protect the NHS. We had some dramas while recording this episode as a plusnet engineer started drilling into Lily's house, and then the internet cut out so she had to drive across town t…

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Turkey’s Democratic Downturn 52:11

2M ago52:11

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Turkish democracy has come under fresh assault as the Erdoğan government arrested the leader of Turkey's largest opposition party and the mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem İmamoğlu, and issued arrest warrants for more than 100 others. Concurrent with Turkey’s domestic turmoil, Ankara is looking to play a more prominent geopolitical role, both in Syria and i…

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Lucy Worsley | MASTERPIECE Studio 35:43

2M ago35:43

35:43

Historian and television presenter Lucy Worsley brings us back to the 16th century to discuss the history of Tudor England. We talk about Thomas Cromwell, King Henry VIII’s reign, and how his eldest child, Mary Tudor, earned the nickname Bloody Mary.By MASTERPIECE

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How America Wages Economic Warfare with Eddie Fishman 47:50

2M ago47:50

47:50

The last two decades have marked a revolution in economic warfare. As the United States has increasingly sought to weaponize the global economy against its adversaries, the world has become fractured into competing blocks, resulting in an economic arms race among major powers. This is the argument made by Eddie Fishman in his new book, Chokepoints:…

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Encore: Wolf Hall, a Recap of Season 1 | MASTERPIECE Studio 41:38

3M ago41:38

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This is an encore release of an earlier podcast episode. WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Wolf Hall. We’re pleased to bring you this special recap episode of Wolf Hall, the award-winning 2015 adaptation of Hilary Mantel’s novels Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies. This episode outlines major plot points, historical details, and character …

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Episode thirty nine - "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" (season one, episode two, "The Dancing Men.") 51:07

3M ago51:07

51:07

Send us a text Enter stage left: A tall, pale, man in a deerstalker. Spry, and somewhat unnerving, Jeremy Brett is to some people (Lily), but not others (Lex), the definitive Sherlock Holmes. It's not an absolute belter of a episode though as an intervention by a couples therapist would have perhaps been more suitable to the problem at hand. Lex be…

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Will Trump Reshape the American Military 45:46

3M ago45:46

45:46

Last month, the Trump administration carried out a large-scale firing of senior military leaders, including the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the chief of Naval operations, the vice chief of staff of the Air Force, and the top military lawyers from the Army, Navy, and Air Force. While expected, these moves were nonetheless largely unpreced…

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Can Europe Fight Back with Shashank Joshi and Camille Grand 1:12:33

3M ago1:12:33

1:12:33

This week, the Trump administration announced the suspension of U.S. military aid and intelligence to Ukraine. Reports have emerged that Trump administration officials have held secret discussions with some of Zelensky's political opponents. On Thursday, Trump told reporters he would consider only defending those allies who spend enough on defense.…

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Episode thirty eight - "Wallander" (season one, episode one, "Sidetracked") 54:17

3M ago54:17

54:17

Send us a text Kenneth Branagh shines in this anglicised version of the skandi noir classic, Wallander. However, it's not that hard to shine when everything around you is so incredibly bleak. Having said that, there are lots of bodies, and one of them is even heavily charred, while the others are axed and scalped, so plenty to enjoy on that front. …

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Germany's New Political Era 42:43

3M ago42:43

42:43

Last Sunday, Germany held parliamentary elections that are set to usher in a new political era for the country. The far-right Alternative for Germany had its best electoral result ever, capturing 20% of the vote and finishing as the second-largest party in the Bundestag. This domestic shift is taking place against the backdrop of massive turmoil wi…

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Can Ukraine and Europe Win Alone? with Gustav Gressel and Franz-Stefan Gady 1:03:12

3M ago1:03:12

1:03:12

The Trump administration began negotiations with Russian officials in Saudi Arabia last week, and its exclusion of both Kyiv and its European backers from the table cast doubt on the viability of any potential settlement. At the same time, it is far from certain that the Ukrainians can continue their war efforts without the United States’ support, …

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Anna Madeley, All Creatures Great and Small Season 5 | MASTERPIECE Studio 33:45

3M ago33:45

33:45

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for All Creatures Great and Small Season 5. Actor Anna Madeley’s endearing Audrey Hall takes pride in what she does, from keeping Skeldale House running smoothly, to volunteering as a blackout warden for Darrowby, helping to keep the town safe during the war. Anna discusses how her character managed to balanc…

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Brussels Sprouts LIVE: Transatlantic Turbulence and the Future Role of the U.S. in European Security 59:09

3M ago59:09

59:09

In Munich and Brussels last week, the Trump administration signaled a seismic shift in U.S. policy toward its European allies. Since World War II, the United States has been the primary security guarantor of Europe. Yet recent remarks from President Donald Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth have questioned this …

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Rachael New, Miss Scarlet Season 5 Bonus | MASTERPIECE Studio 16:22

4M ago16:22

16:22

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode 5 of Miss Scarlet Season 5. Miss Scarlet creator Rachael New never shies away from a challenge. By Season 3 she was not only writing the show, but also made her directorial debut. This season Rachael challenged herself by stepping in front of the camera playing the stern headmistress Mary Agnes. R…

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Episode thirty seven - "Father Brown" (season twelve, episode one, "The Battle of Kembleford") 51:54

4M ago51:54

51:54

Send us a text Silly hats, squabbling academics, tudor costumes, death by antique sword...what can we say? Just the usual antics in the world of crime drama. We've seen all these things before but this time we are in the world of Father Brown. It's not the greatest introduction to the world of G.K. Chesterton's crime solving priest, but if you are …

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Averting AI Armageddon with Colin Kahl and Jacob Stokes 1:02:07

4M ago1:02:07

1:02:07

In recent years, the previous bipolar nuclear order led by the United States and Russia has given way to a more volatile, tripolar one, as China has quantitatively and qualitatively built up its nuclear arsenal. At the same time, there have been significant breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, including for military applications. As a result o…