Sanae Takaichi is the first female prime minister of Japan. Once the drummer in a heavy metal band, she is now a staunch conservative, tough on immigration and against same sex marriage. More Iron Lady than Iron Maiden, the 64-year-old models her strong leadership style on Margaret Thatcher. She entered politics in 1993, the same year as future prime minister Shinzo Abe. A loyal ally, she quickly rose the ranks in his cabinet. After several unsuccessful leadership attempts, she finally became prime minister on October 21st 2025. To some this is a victory for women in Japan, but others see her conservative views as evidence there is still a long way to go.
Mark Coles voyages into the world of Japanese politics to find out. Production
Presenter: Mark Coles
Producers: Ben Crighton, Mhairi MacKenzie and Alex Loftus
Japanese fixer: Ryuzo Tsutsui
Editor: Justine Lang
Production Coordinator: Maria Ogundele
Sound Editor: Duncan Hannant
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Luke Littler
Luke Littler, the 18-year-old darts star, is already one of the most famous people in British sport. This week he won yet another title, the World Grand Prix. Born in Warrington, he started throwing arrows while he was still wearing nappies. By the time he was 10, Littler was competing in under-21 competitions and would win his first senior title at 14. He shot to national fame in early 2024 when he reached the world championship final aged 16. Despite losing the match, he sparked ‘Littlermania’, drawing huge crowds and introducing a whole new generation to the sport. Earlier this year, he managed to do one better and became the youngest ever World Darts Champion. Stephen Smith traces his meteoric rise. Production
Presenter: Stephen Smith
Producers: Ben Crighton, Mhairi MacKenzie and Alex Loftus
Editor: Justine Lang
Sound Editor: Neil Churchill
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Marina Abramović
Marina Abramović is the self proclaimed ‘grandmother of performance art’. Her latest work, a reimagining of Slavic fertility rites, opened in Manchester earlier this week. Notorious for committing extreme acts to her body, the Serbian first achieved fame with her “Rhythm 0” performance, where she stood still in a room and invited guests to do anything they liked to her. They removed her clothes, cut her neck and held a loaded gun to her head. Many of her biggest works were made in collaboration with German artist Ulay, her one-time romantic partner. They ended their relationship in 1988 by walking from opposite ends of the Great Wall of China and meeting in the middle. In 2010, she received international acclaim for her performance The Artist is Present. It saw her sit in a chair for eight hours a day, 6 days a week for three months. She invited anyone to sit across from her. It famously ended with Abramović reuniting with Ulay. Mark Coles looks back at her career. Production
Presenter: Mark Coles
Producers: Ben Cooper, Mhairi MacKenzie and Alex Loftus
Editor: Justine Lang
Sound Editor: Duncan HannantArchive
Abramović/ Ulay - Light/ Dark (1977)
Abramović/ Ulay - AAA-AAA (1978)
The Artist is Present trailer (2012)
TED Talk - An Art Made of Trust, Vulnerability and Connection (2013)
BBC - This Cultural Life: Marina Abramović (2024)
Marina Abramović at Glastonbury (2024)
Abramović - Balkan Erotic Epic (2025)
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Sarah Mullally
Sarah Mullally, named this week as the first female Archbishop of Canterbury, the most senior position in the Anglican Church. Formerly the Bishop of London, in her previous career she was the youngest ever chief nursing officer in England. She was ordained in 2001 and in 2005 became a Dame. Her appointment breaks the long-held tradition of a male head of the Church. She's expected to attract criticism from more conservative elements of the Anglo-Catholic and Evangelical elements of the church. Mark Coles speaks to friends, family and former colleagues. This programme was first broadcast in December 2017. Presenter: Mark Coles
Producers: Helen Grady and Siobhan O'Connell
Production Coordinator: Janet Staples
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Kristi Noem
Kristi Noem is the controversial Secretary of Homeland Security. A staunch MAGA loyalist, she's in charge of ICE detention facilities, including one in Dallas, Texas, that was attacked this week.As the face of the Trump administration's intensified raids and arrests by US Immigration and Enforcement (ICE) agents, Kristi Noem has become a lightening rod in America, both loved and hated for her combative approach and her many viral media moments - some call her the 'ICE Barbie'.A former South Dakota Snow Queen winner, she's risen fast from her cowgirl roots. There's even talk of a run for president in 2028.Presenter: Mark Coles
Producer: Lucy Proctor, Ben Crighton and Natasha Fernandes
Researchers: Alex Loftus and Adriana Urbano
Production coordinators: Maria Ogundele
Editor: Justine Lang
Sound Engineer: Neil Churchill
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