A far-from-everyday court sketch... it’s The Archers’ Helen on trial
IT IS already one of the longest and most harrowing storylines in the 65-year history of The Archers.
Now the Radio 4 drama’s six million listeners are being given fresh insight into the trial of domestic abuse victim Helen Titchener thanks to a real-life court artist.
The producers have commissioned Julia Quenzler – who has covered scores of high-profile court cases, including those of Harold Shipman and Rosemary West – to bring Helen’s trial to life with a series of vivid sketches.
This first image, which has been produced to coincide with tonight’s episode, at 7pm, shows manipulative farm manager Rob Titchener – played by Timothy Watson – giving evidence against his wife.
She is accused of trying to wound him and attempted murder. As the trial continues, other images will be released on the show’s website.
They posed a new challenge for Quenzler, who normally sits in court to study her subjects then leaves the trial to sketch them from memory. Sketching in court is not allowed.
As The Archers is a radio show, Quenzler was left to use her imagination. She said: ‘I was given a few photographs of the actors but I was reminded that obviously many listeners have conjured up their own image of how each character looks.
‘These sketches took quite a lot longer because of the research and referring back to the script. But it’s been fascinating, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it.’
The storyline has involved Rob’s behaviour escalating from emotional abuse to physical harm. In April, listeners heard Helen, played by Louiza Patikas, stab her husband in front of five-year-old son Henry.
This week, arguments from both the defence and the prosecution will be heard. But Watson said of his character: ‘Rob is horrendously abusive. A psychopath. He has no ability to conduct a proper loving relationship.’
Sean O’Connor, the outgoing editor who created the storyline, said: ‘I can promise both a shocking and deeply moving trial.’