Scripted

The BBC World Service is launching Purple Heart Warriors, a six-part drama inspired by real events and written by Oscar-nominated screenwriter Iris Yamashita. This historical series transports listeners to World War II, spotlighting the courageous Japanese American soldiers of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team who fought to liberate France from Nazi control. Known for their bravery, this segregated unit, comprised of Nisei, or second-generation Japanese Americans, went on to become the most decorated unit in U.S. military history for its size and length of service. Many of these soldiers faced unique challenges, including internment of their families back in the United States, even as they volunteered to serve.

Narrated by Emmy-nominated and BAFTA-winning actor Will Sharpe (The White Lotus), Purple Heart Warriors follows protagonist Ken Morioka, voiced by Akie Kotabe. The story introduces Ken as a young man in 2024 Los Angeles who is mysteriously transported back to the 1940s, embodying his grandfather’s life as a Japanese American soldier undergoing combat training. Ken's journey brings him from Little Tokyo to Mississippi, then across war-torn Europe, eventually reaching the fierce battles of the Vosges Mountains in France.

The drama, blending historical events with personal reflection, addresses themes of identity, loyalty, sacrifice, and belonging, examining why these soldiers chose to fight and what they were defending. The 442nd Combat Team’s legacy includes over 4,000 Purple Hearts, 21 Medals of Honor, and seven Presidential Unit Citations, standing as a testament to their extraordinary contributions.

Iris Yamashita expressed her enthusiasm for telling this story, aiming to honor the Japanese American soldiers who fought bravely despite their families’ internment in U.S. prison camps. Sharpe, honored to narrate the series, felt a personal connection to this often-overlooked history.

Commissioning Editor Simon Pitts shared excitement over bringing this story to a global audience, recognizing the remarkable yet lesser-known history of these soldiers. Purple Heart Warriors will be available as a full boxset on BBC Sounds starting December 9, with weekly radio broadcasts on the BBC World Service from December 11. Directed by Jessica Dromgoole and produced by Catherine Bailey Productions Limited, the series continues the BBC’s commitment to powerful storytelling in its Dramas podcast feed, following previous series like Fukushima.