An audio drama series about the decision to drop the atomic bomb 80 years ago is being produced by Made in Manchester.
The President and the Emperor is based around newly newly declassified U.S. and Japanese documents and first-hand accounts, revealing the perspectives of those whose choices shaped the end of the Second World War.
At the centre of it all are Emperor Hirohito (Sadao Ueda) and President Harry S Truman, who in the drama will be played by Clifton Truman Daniel – his grandson.
Samuel Barnett (The History Boys, Dirk Gently, Desperate Romantics) has been cast as physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer,
The 8 parter is produced by Ashley Byrne and Made in Manchester, Exec’d by Kurt Brookes, directed by Jonathan Kydd, and written by former BBC TV documentary maker Guy Smith.
READ MORE – Michael Sheen presents Made in Manchester documentary for BBC
The series will be released initially as a podcast in August head of the VJ Day 80th commemorations.
“The drama is meticulously written. Guy Smith has given so much attention to detail that this 7 part epic will act as the definitive story of the decision which changed the world 80 years ago,” said Producer and MIM Creative Director Ashley Byrne.
“Clifton Truman Daniel was so impressed he was delighted to take on the role of his grandfather who he also plays on stage in theatres across the United States. With Sadao Ueda playing the Emperor and as much focus given to the Japanese side in the story, this is a truly authentic series. It’s also great to have Samuel Barnett playing the iconic Robert Oppenheimer.”
Sadao Ueda, who plays Emperor Hirohito added:
“I have always dreamt of portraying Hirohito the Emperor of Japan in Showa era. Because it is not well known what he was like as a person, especially how he was treated as living god until Japan’s surrender, It was challenging but at the same time a tremendous joy to do.
“This drama is not about who and what was right or wrong of the war, but simply displaying the historical facts in dramatic ways from two completely different point of views. And I hope the listener will be able to observe this with neutral eyes and think about what the world war could mean if that ever happened again.”
The President and the Emperor will be available in mid August.
