Motherhood can feel full of judgement - sometimes over the smallest decisions, sometimes over the ones that change everything. But what happens when the stakes couldn't be higher?

In Judged: A Mother's Love, Katie Bridget Murphy explores three extraordinary stories of mothers facing impossible choices - choices that shaped birth, everyday life, and even death. These decisions didn't just transform their families; they variously uncovered hidden truths, challenged laws, and helped changed society itself. Through powerful testimony and expert insight, this series asks: what happens when motherhood is pushed to its limits?

Writer and Producer: Katie Bridget Murphy Senior Producer: Ophelia Byrne Executive Producer: Elizabeth Clark Sound Engineers: John Benson and Davy Neill Sound Design: Bill Maul Artwork: Tom Cunningham Assistant Commissioner: Prabhjit Bains Commissioning Editor: Khaliq Meer

Judged: A Mother's Love is a BBC Audio Northern Ireland production with BBC Sounds Audio Lab.

In the final episode of Judged: A Mother’s Love, Diane Foley faces an extraordinary dilemma: to meet - and possibly forgive - one of the men who contributed to her son’s murder. Hers becomes a deeply personal act by a mother that inspires wider conversations about mercy and forgiveness, even in the most extreme circumstances.

Writer and Producer: Katie Bridget Murphy Senior Producer: Ophelia Byrne Executive Producer: Elizabeth Clark Sound Engineers: John Benson and Davy Neill Sound Design: Bill Maul Artwork: Tom Cunningham Assistant Commissioner: Prabhjit Bains Commissioning Editor: Khaliq Meer

Judged: A Mother’s Love is a BBC Audio Northern Ireland production with BBC Sounds Audio Lab.

Katie Bridget Murphy meets Diane Foley, whose son Jim - a freelance journalist – is kidnapped when reporting from Syria. Diane is told by government officials to stay silent, but as months pass and hope fades, she decides to take action. From private prayers to public campaigns, her efforts will help spark an overhaul of how her government responds to hostage crises.

With thanks to the Archival Collections and Institutional Repository, Raynor Library, Marquette University, for use of material from the James Foley Collection.

Writer and Producer: Katie Bridget Murphy Senior Producer: Ophelia Byrne Executive Producer: Elizabeth Clark Sound Engineers: John Benson and Davy Neill Sound Design: Bill Maul Artwork: Tom Cunningham Assistant Commissioner: Prabhjit Bains Commissioning Editor: Khaliq Meer

Judged: A Mother’s Love is a BBC Audio Northern Ireland production with BBC Sounds Audio Lab.