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New 10-part podcast series explores how Charlie Chaplin became embroiled in the “Hollywood blacklist”
The BBC World Service and CBC today announced a new podcast hosted by Oona Chaplin (Game of Thrones) set to launch 22 January 2024. Hollywood Exiles is the gripping story of how Tinseltown star, and Oona Chaplin’s grandfather, Charlie Chaplin, became a key figure in a decades-long FBI campaign aimed at rooting out communism from Hollywood. The podcast unravels the real-life events that led to the notorious House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) hearings and the era of the infamous “Hollywood blacklist.” As host, Oona Chaplin takes audiences on a captivating journey into the depths of her grandfather’s extraordinary life, revealing a story that will captivate listeners.
Hollywood Exiles sheds light on the extent and impact of the FBI's investigation into Charlie Chaplin and other figures right across the film industry. Some were barred from the Hollywood Walk of Fame, others from the Oscars – all had their reputations, careers or families torn apart. The podcast features interviews with others affected by these events including the daughter of Hollywood writer Dalton Trumbo, who wrote under a pseudonym to escape blacklisting, as well as descendants of other exiled writers and actors whose careers were shattered.
Hollywood Exiles is a collaboration between BBC World Service and CBC Podcasts. Earlier this year, they released the award-winning podcast Love, Janessa, and have another show planned for later in 2024.
Jon Manel, BBC World Service Podcast Commissioning Editor, said: “We are extremely excited to be launching the latest show in our partnership with CBC Podcasts. Oona Chaplin takes us on what, for her and her family, is a personal journey and one that tells a story that combines the world of Hollywood, global politics and the FBI. With its beautiful music, rich sound design and storytelling, it’s one of those podcast for which, if you can, you need to close your eyes and prepare to be immersed.”
Arif Noorani, Director, CBC Podcasts said: “Our first collaboration with the BBC World Service, Love Janessa, was a tremendous success and we are thrilled to partner with them once again to bring this gripping story of glamour and political intrigue to audiences around the world. Oona Chaplin is the ideal host and guide for Hollywood Exiles. Her connection to the story about what happened to her grandfather brings an authentic, unique perspective to this complex chapter of Hollywood’s history.”
Hollywood Exiles will be released on 22nd January 2024, with new episodes available weekly. The 10-part podcast series will be available on BBC Sounds, CBC Listen, and most global podcast platforms. It will also broadcast on BBC World Service radio.
The podcast is a BBC Audio Wales production for the BBC World Service and CBC Podcasts. The theme is composed by Nick Thorburn, music by Phil Channell, with sound design by Phil Channell and Cathy Robinson.
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Notes to Editors
Images available here
About Oona Chaplin
Oona Chaplin was born in Madrid to English-American actress Geraldine Chaplin and Chilean cinematographer Patricio Castilla. She is the granddaughter of Charlie Chaplin, and great-granddaughter of playwright Eugene O’Neill.
Oona was most recently seen in Netflix’s spy drama TREASON opposite Charlie Cox and Olga Kurylenko. Oona also starred as LISA PAGE in THE COMEY RULE alongside Jeff Daniels and Brendan Gleeson for CBS. Prior to that, Oona wrapped filming one of the leading roles in James Cameron’s upcoming AVATAR sequels. Other notable credits include the BBC/FX series TABOO opposite Tom Hardy, her role as TALISA STARK in GAME OF THRONES, as well as BLACK MIRROR and THE HOUR.
About BBC World Service English
BBC World Service reaches a weekly global audience of 318m, on radio, TV, and digital. BBC World Service English is an English-language radio and online network that broadcasts internationally. BBC World Service English reaches a weekly audience of 81.4m (2023), broadcasting news and current affairs programmes such as Newsday, Newshour, The Newsroom, OS and The Inquiry. It also broadcasts a range of documentaries including People Fixing the World, In the Studio, The Documentary, The Forum, Heart and Soul and The Climate Question. Recent popular podcasts delivered by BBC World Service English include Love Janessa, The Lazarus Heist, and Dear Daughter which won the 2022 Podcast of the Year award at the British Podcast Awards. The Global News Podcast had more than 260 million downloads in 2022. For more information, visit https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/live:bbc_world_service.
About CBC/Radio-Canada
CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada’s national public broadcaster. Through our mandate to inform, enlighten and entertain, we play a central role in strengthening Canadian culture. As Canada’s trusted news source, we offer a uniquely Canadian perspective on news, current affairs and world affairs. Our distinctively homegrown entertainment programming draws audiences from across the country. Deeply rooted in communities, CBC/Radio-Canada offers diverse content in English, French and eight Indigenous languages. We also deliver content in Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Punjabi and Tagalog, as well as both official languages, through Radio Canada International (RCI). We are leading the transformation to meet the needs of Canadians in a digital world.
Media Contacts: Please contact our press teams if you’d like to receive preview episodes:
- For more information on the BBC World Service, please contact: press.office@bbc.co.uk
- For more information about CBC Podcasts, please contact: joanna.landsberg@cbc.ca (Canada) or meryl@thecooperationinc.com (US/International).
