Programme Index

Discover 11,128,835 listings and 279,834 playable programmes from the BBC

Assume Nothing

The Handler – A Matter of Life and Death

The Handler Episode 1: The First Good Source

Duration: 29 minutes

First broadcast: on BBC Radio FoyleLatest broadcast: on BBC Radio Ulster

Available for over a year

Dramatised memoir of a Special Branch officer operating at the outset of the Northern Ireland Troubles. James (not his real name) runs a network of informers and sources operating along the border area of South Down and South Armagh during the worst years of violence. For both handler and source, it’s a matter of life and death. Some names, dates and details have been changed to protect the living.

Episode 1: The First Good Source

James sees an opportunity when a young IRA volunteer is arrested on a burglary charge. Working together, they are soon disrupting IRA activity – but it’s a high stakes game, and the informer’s life is soon in grave danger.

Cast:

James – Jonathan Harden
Interviewer – Michael Patrick
Source – Marty Maguire
Military Intelligence Officer – Paul Mallon
Army Radio Voice – Marty Maguire

A BBC Northern Ireland Production. Show less

About this data

This data is drawn from the data stream that informs BBC's iPlayer and Sounds. The information shows what was scheduled to be broadcast, meaning it was/is subject to change and may not be accurate. More