The story of Helen and Rob has become the most discussed and dissected plot-lines The Archers has featured in its long history. As The Guardian pointed out, ‘It would be an exaggeration to claim the entire nation was gripped by the culmination of Helen Titchener’s trial for the attempted murder of her husband, the dastardly Rob. But a healthy chunk of it was.’
So, we caught up with our man in Ambridge, writer Tim Stimpson, who wrote the acclaimed ‘trial week’.
Question: What was it like to write the script for the trial week?
Tim Stimpson: I was thrilled to be asked to write the week of the trial, but it also felt like an onerous responsibility. So many of our assumptions about the justice system are based on American courtroom dramas, but British courts are much more sober and non-confrontational. This is no doubt good for justice, but isn’t so great for drama. The greatest challenge was finding a way to maintain suspense within the limits of the law.
Q: Is it hard to write for both Helen and Rob and get into the minds of two very different characters?
TS: I've spent so long living with Helen and Rob in my head it wasn't hard to write for them. Even a person like Rob will convince himself that he's a good person, and if you follow those psychological contortions you can usually find the core of who they are. If anything Helen was harder to write for as she has had to bury so much deep in her subconscious.
Q: During the trial how have you ensured Helen’s experiences are portrayed realistically?
TS: We have had a lot of assistance from professionals and charities to make sure that the portrayal of Helen's experience is correct. A barrister has helped us devise the storyline and we've had lots of advice about what Helen's life would be like in a Mother and Baby Unit. Having to bring little Jack with her to court means Helen's experience is quite unusual.
Q: What preparation did you do to reflect the legal side of the storyline accurately?
TS: As well as having a barrister to advise I spent a day at Birmingham Crown Court sitting in on a variety of trials. One Defendant was convicted for ten years having inflicted strangely similar wounds to the ones Helen inflicted on Rob. It was very sobering to see the course of someone's life changed.
Tim Stimpson reveals more about writing for The Archers on the show’s website and researcher Sarah Swadling asks, ‘What happens to Rob, now?’
