A new podcast drama brings to life the story behind one of the most consequential decisions in modern history, the dropping of the atomic bomb eighty years ago.
Told in seven parts and produced by indie company Made in Manchester, the series draws on newly declassified US and Japanese documents, along with first-hand testimony, to present a dual-perspective account of the final days of the Second World War.
At the heart of the drama are two isolated but powerful figures, President Harry S. Truman and Emperor Hirohito. They navigate moral and political dilemmas as the world teeters on the brink of nuclear devastation.
In a unique casting move, Truman is portrayed by his real-life grandson, Clifton Truman Daniel, adding an intimate connection to a role few could approach with such personal insight.
He stars alongside acclaimed Japanese actor Sadao Ueda, who plays Hirohito with quiet intensity and emotional nuance.
“This drama is not about who was right or wrong in the war,” Ueda says. “It presents historical facts dramatically from two different points of view. I hope the listener will reflect on what global conflict might mean if it ever happened again.”
Samuel Barnett completes the central trio as J Robert Oppenheimer, the physicist who helped create the bomb and later struggled with its legacy.
The series is written by former BBC documentary maker Guy Smith, directed by Jonathan Kydd, and produced by Ashley Byrne. Executive production is by Kurt Brookes.
Byrne says: “This meticulously researched story is the definitive dramatisation of a world-changing decision. We wanted equal weight on both the American and Japanese sides, this isn’t a one-sided retelling.”
The podcast is due for release in mid-August, ahead of the 80th anniversary of VJ Day. As part of wider commemorations, Clifton Truman Daniel will join a delegation of presidential descendants travelling to Asia to honour those affected by the bombings and promote remembrance through outreach.
The President and the Emperor will be available on all major podcast platforms.
