Death row nun, Beatles’ spirituality, Aslan gender wars

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Tennessee death row inmate Christa Pike has now left hospital and is back in prison after surviving her botched execution by lethal injection. Emily Buchanan speaks to the Catholic nun Helen Prejean whose book ‘Dead Man Walking’ inspired the movie of the same name, in which Susan Sarandon won an Oscar playing her. Now 87 years old she is still campaigning against the death penalty. The Beatles' extraordinary talent, ambition, friendship and rivalry made them, in many people’s eyes, the greatest band in pop music history. But they were also deeply interested in spirituality and new ways of understanding themselves and the world around them. A new book by the psychologist Dr Steve Taylor - 'Across the Universe: The Magic and Mystery of the Beatles' Creativity' – argues that it was the Beatles’ spirituality which fuelled their extraordinary prolific output. The film director Greta Gerwig has confirmed that Meryl Streep will be the voice of Aslan the lion in her upcoming adaptation of The Magician's Nephew, the first book in the Narnia series. CS Lewis explained in his letters that Aslan was intended as a re-imagining of Jesus, so some Christians have objected to the character being voiced by a woman, while others have no theological objection to the casting. Presenter: Emily Buchanan Producers: Dan Tierney and James Graham Studio Managers: Olivia Miceli, Kelly Young and Matthew Dempsey Editor: Tim Pemberton.