Seven BBC full-cast romantic comedies

Hopes and Desires

Seven BBC full-cast romantic comedies about love, longing and life-changing moments 
 
Written by a host of top radio writers and starring some of Britain's finest actors, these sparkling, beautifully crafted comedy dramas are centred around people with unconscious yearnings. From the serial seducer to the lonely mother's boy, each is looking for love - but will they find it? 
 
Vongole by Michael Butt: Oxford professor Tristram Swann's favourite pastime is wooing his female students with Petrarch and pasta. But what is he really after? Starring Bill Nighy. 
 
The Non-Entity by Marcy Kahan: Once a successful Soviet hack, Dimitri hasn't sold a story since the fall of Communism. So why has a British publisher flown out to Moscow to see him? Starring Kenneth Cranham, Eleanor Bron and Sylvestre Le Touzel. 
 
Toad Squad by Nick Warburton: Bitter at being retired prematurely, Reg embarks on a mission to protect the humble toad. Starring Philip Jackson and Amanda Root. 
 
The Anniversary Waltz by Jeremy Front: Deli owners Max and Shirley spend their days sniping at one another - but a sudden epiphany makes them realise things have got to change... Starring Prunella Scales, Roger Allam and Rebecca Front. 
 
Catching Heathcliff by Nick Warburton: Lindsey dreams of someone brooding and passionate - and then Morton walks into her book group... Starring Philip Jackson and Amanda Root. 
 
Battersea Triangle by Michael Butt: Passive Dougie is trapped in a relationship with his domineering boss, Angela. When he meets the docile India, his problems seem to be over - but are they just beginning? Starring Mark Benton, Christine Kavanagh and Indira Varma. 
 
The Dangers of Self-Hypnosis by Gary Ogin: Having had no luck with speed-dating, Maurice turns to a self-hypnosis CD to find romance. Exploring his subconscious, he finds the beautiful Rachel... Starring Richard Coyle, Prunella Scales and Sophie Winkleman. 
 
 
Produced and directed by Peter Kavanagh 
 
Vongole 
Tristram - Bill Nighy 
Minnie - Emma Callander 
Helen - Miranda Colchester 
Freddie - Stephen Critchlow 
Mamma/Judy - Carolyn Jones 
Written by Michael Butt 
 
The Non-Entity 
Dmitri - Kenneth Cranham 
Annoushka - Eleanor Bron 
Claire - Sylvestra Le Touzel 
Robert - Stephen Critchlow 
Written by Marcy Kahan 
 
Toad Squad 
Reg - Philip Jackson 
Bel - Amanda Root 
Mr Topping - Jonathan Coy 
Written by Nick Warburton 
 
The Anniversary Waltz 
Shirley - Prunella Scales 
Max - Roger Allam 
Roszinka - Rebecca Front 
Girl - Rosie Fellner 
Marcy - Liza Sadovy 
Toastmaster/Old man - Bruce Purchase 
Written by Jeremy Front 
 
Catching Heathcliff 
Graham - Philip Jackson 
Lindsey - Amanda Root 
Heathcliff/Morton - Mark Straker 
Postman - Nick Warburton 
Written by Nick Warburton 
 
Battersea Triangle 
Dougie - Mark Benton 
India - Indira Varma 
Angela - Christine Kavanagh 
Fiona - Emily Rose Smith 
Written by Michael Butt 
 
The Dangers of Self-Hypnosis 
Maurice - Richard Coyle 
Mother - Prunella Scales 
Rachel - Sophie Winkleman 
Abigail - Christine Kavanagh 
Hypnotist/Judge - Sam Dale 
Daniel - Mark Straker 
Written by Gary Ogin 
 
© 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd 
(p) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Seven BBC full-cast romantic comedies about love, longing and life-changing moments 
 
 Written by a host of top radio writers and starring some of Britain's finest actors, these sparkling, beautifully crafted comedy dramas are centred around people with unconscious yearnings. From the serial seducer to the lonely mother's boy, each is looking for love - but will they find it? 
 
 Vongole by Michael Butt: Oxford professor Tristram Swann's favourite pastime is wooing his female students with Petrarch and pasta. But what is he really after? Starring Bill Nighy. 
 
 The Non-Entity by Marcy Kahan: Once a successful Soviet hack, Dimitri hasn't sold a story since the fall of Communism. So why has a British publisher flown out to Moscow to see him? Starring Kenneth Cranham, Eleanor Bron and Sylvestre Le Touzel. 
 
 Toad Squad by Nick Warburton: Bitter at being retired prematurely, Reg embarks on a mission to protect the humble toad. Starring Philip Jackson and Amanda Root. 
 
 The Anniversary Waltz by Jeremy Front: Deli owners Max and Shirley spend their days sniping at one another - but a sudden epiphany makes them realise things have got to change... Starring Prunella Scales, Roger Allam and Rebecca Front. 
 
 Catching Heathcliff by Nick Warburton: Lindsey dreams of someone brooding and passionate - and then Morton walks into her book group... Starring Philip Jackson and Amanda Root. 
 
 Battersea Triangle by Michael Butt: Passive Dougie is trapped in a relationship with his domineering boss, Angela. When he meets the docile India, his problems seem to be over - but are they just beginning? Starring Mark Benton, Christine Kavanagh and Indira Varma. 
 
 The Dangers of Self-Hypnosis by Gary Ogin: Having had no luck with speed-dating, Maurice turns to a self-hypnosis CD to find romance. Exploring his subconscious, he finds the beautiful Rachel... Starring Richard Coyle, Prunella Scales and Sophie Winkleman. 
 
 
 Produced and directed by Peter Kavanagh 
 
 Vongole 
 Tristram - Bill Nighy 
 Minnie - Emma Callander 
 Helen - Miranda Colchester 
 Freddie - Stephen Critchlow 
 Mamma/Judy - Carolyn Jones 
 Written by Michael Butt 
 
 The Non-Entity 
 Dmitri - Kenneth Cranham 
 Annoushka - Eleanor Bron 
 Claire - Sylvestra Le Touzel 
 Robert - Stephen Critchlow 
 Written by Marcy Kahan 
 
 Toad Squad 
 Reg - Philip Jackson 
 Bel - Amanda Root 
 Mr Topping - Jonathan Coy 
 Written by Nick Warburton 
 
 The Anniversary Waltz 
 Shirley - Prunella Scales 
 Max - Roger Allam 
 Roszinka - Rebecca Front 
 Girl - Rosie Fellner 
 Marcy - Liza Sadovy 
 Toastmaster/Old man - Bruce Purchase 
 Written by Jeremy Front 
 
 Catching Heathcliff 
 Graham - Philip Jackson 
 Lindsey - Amanda Root 
 Heathcliff/Morton - Mark Straker 
 Postman - Nick Warburton 
 Written by Nick Warburton 
 
 Battersea Triangle 
 Dougie - Mark Benton 
 India - Indira Varma 
 Angela - Christine Kavanagh 
 Fiona - Emily Rose Smith 
 Written by Michael Butt 
 
 The Dangers of Self-Hypnosis 
 Maurice - Richard Coyle 
 Mother - Prunella Scales 
 Rachel - Sophie Winkleman 
 Abigail - Christine Kavanagh 
 Hypnotist/Judge - Sam Dale 
 Daniel - Mark Straker 
 Written by Gary Ogin 
 
© 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd 
(p) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

The hit BBC Radio 4 Comedy Drama

Lunch: The Complete Series 1-5

Stephen Mangan and Claire Skinner star in all five series of the popular BBC Radio 4 comedy drama

Stephen Mangan and Claire Skinner star in all five series of the popular BBC Radio 4 comedy drama. 
 
Bill works as an economist in a right-wing institute giving succour to bankers and businessmen. Bella is a confirmed socialist who teaches yoga and waters the plants in Canary Wharf. Years ago they shared a flat before Bill got married and moved to America. Now he's back and feeling a little off-kilter, so he decides to rekindle his friendship with Bella. 
 
Once a month they get together for lunch, where they talk about everything from politics to Proust, parenting and the perils of online dating. The only thing they never discuss is how much they love each other.... 
 
In Marcy Kahan's delightful "platonic romantic comedy", we join Bill and Bella as they meet, eat and disagree about everything; and over the course of five series, we learn their hopes and dreams and listen in as their lives change direction and come together. 
 
Cast and credits 
Bill..........................Stephen Mangan 
Bella......................Claire Skinner 
 
Written by Marcy Kahan 
Produced and directed by Sally Avens 
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 15-19 July 2013 (Series 1), 22-26 September 2014 (Series 2), 11-15 May 2015 (Series 3), 18-22 July 2016 (Series 4), 24-28 July 2017 (Series 5) 
 
©2020 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2020 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Stephen Mangan and Claire Skinner star in all five series of the popular BBC Radio 4 comedy drama. 
 
Bill works as an economist in a right-wing institute giving succour to bankers and businessmen. Bella is a confirmed socialist who teaches yoga and waters the plants in Canary Wharf. Years ago they shared a flat before Bill got married and moved to America. Now he's back and feeling a little off-kilter, so he decides to rekindle his friendship with Bella. 
 
Once a month they get together for lunch, where they talk about everything from politics to Proust, parenting and the perils of online dating. The only thing they never discuss is how much they love each other.... 
 
In Marcy Kahan's delightful "platonic romantic comedy", we join Bill and Bella as they meet, eat and disagree about everything; and over the course of five series, we learn their hopes and dreams and listen in as their lives change direction and come together. 
 
Cast and credits 
Bill..........................Stephen Mangan 
Bella......................Claire Skinner 
 
Written by Marcy Kahan 
Produced and directed by Sally Avens 
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 15-19 July 2013 (Series 1), 22-26 September 2014 (Series 2), 11-15 May 2015 (Series 3), 18-22 July 2016 (Series 4), 24-28 July 2017 (Series 5) 
 
©2020 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2020 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Detective. Spy. The entirely fictional adventures of Noël Coward

The Noël Coward Quintet

Actor, playwright, songwriter, director and star - Noel Coward never quite added sleuth to his astonishing achievements. Until now.

The Master turns sleuth and spy in this quintet of radio dramas 
 
Actor, playwright, songwriter, director, author and star – as far as we know, Noël Coward never added ‘detective’ or ‘undercover agent’ to his astonishing achievements. But could the intriguing gaps in his memoirs be hiding a thrilling secret life? 
 
Design for Murder 
In this wry backstage whodunit set just before World War II, Coward must put aside the play he’s writing to track down a murderous psychopath in London’s West End. 
 
Blithe Spy 
This Second World War espionage adventure finds Coward in New York, where he turns secret agent and uses his talent to amuse to help Britain battle the Nazis. 
 
A Bullet at Balmain’s 
1948, and the celebrated playwright is in post-liberation Paris to take the lead role in his play Present Laughter. But the murder of a fashion-house mannequin provides a stylish distraction. 
 
Death at the Desert Inn 
1955. When $300,000 is left in a satchel in Noël Coward's Las Vegas suite, it’s the prelude to a baffling murder mystery, complete with Judy Garland, a showgirl, a Broadway agent, an unlikely croupier, and a US Congressman. 
 
Our Man in Jamaica 
1961. Reconciled to being out of fashion, Noël Coward is determined to finish his first novel – until his neighbour Ian Fleming sets him a challenge: become a spy once more to help destabilise Fidel Castro… 
 
Written by Marcy Kahan and starring Malcolm Sinclair as Coward, Eleanor Bron as his devoted secretary Lorn Loraine and Tam Williams as his devoted valet Cole Lesley, these light-hearted thrillers see Noël Coward solving crimes and foiling villains with his favourite weapon: wit. 
 
Cast and credits 
Written by Marcy Kahan 
Starring Malcolm Sinclair as Noël Coward, Eleanor Bron as Lorn Loraine and Tam Williams as Cole Lesley

BBC Radio 4 comedy drama

Lunch: Series 5

Stephen Mangan and Claire Skinner star in the final series of the popular BBC Radio 4 comedy drama.

Stephen Mangan and Claire Skinner star in the final series of the popular BBC Radio 4 comedy drama. 
 
 ‘A wise and witty feast for the senses‘’ Gillian Reynolds, The Daily Telegraph 
 
 Bill works as an economist in a right-wing institute giving succour to bankers and businessmen. Bella teaches yoga, waters the plants in Canary Wharf and holds Proust seminars for retirees. Years ago they shared a flat before Bill got married and moved to America. Now he's back and feeling a little off-kilter, so he decides to rekindle his friendship with Bella. 
 
 Once a month they get together for lunch, where they talk about everything from politics to Proust, parenting and the perils of online dating. The only thing they've never discussed is how much they love each other... 
 
 In Marcy Kahan's delightful “platonic romantic comedy”, we join Bill and Bella as they meet, eat and disagree about everything; and, in this final series, end up ordering room service in a hotel room after too much tapas.

Lunch: Complete Series 1-4

Stephen Mangan and Claire Skinner star in all four series of the popular BBC Radio 4 comedy drama.

Marcy Kahan is a British playwright and radio dramatist, who is half-Canadian and half-American.She is a prolific author of urbane comedies for the BBC. She was born in Montreal, educated at Somerville College, Oxford and trained in theatre in Paris with the Lecoq School teachers, Philippe Gaulier and Monika Pagneux. [source: Wikipedia]

Stephen Mangan and Claire Skinner star in all four series of the popular BBC Radio 4 comedy drama. 
 
‘A wise and witty feast for the senses‘’ Gillian Reynolds, The Daily Telegraph 
 
Bill works as an economist in a right-wing institute giving succour to bankers and businessmen. Bella teaches yoga, waters the plants in Canary Wharf and holds Proust seminars for retirees. Years ago they shared a flat before Bill got married and moved to America. Now he's back and feeling a little off-kilter, so he decides to rekindle his friendship with Bella. 
 
Once a month they get together for lunch, where they talk about everything from politics to Proust, parenting and the perils of online dating. The only thing they never discuss is how much they love each other... 
 
In Marcy Kahan's delightful “platonic romantic comedy”, we join Bill and Bella as they meet, eat and disagree about everything; and over the course of four series, we learn their hopes and dreams and listen in as their lives change direction. Duration: 4 hours 40 mins approx.

A BBC Radio 4 dramatisation

Incredibly Guilty: A Comic Moral Fable

A BBC Radio 4 comedy drama written by the award-winning screen and stage dramatist Marcy Kahan, and starring Stephen Mangan as Ed, whose life is about to change forever when he accidentally puts National Treasure Penhaligon Rhinehart into a coma

Marcy Kahan (born 4 July) is a British playwright and radio dramatist, who is half-Canadian and half-American.[1][2] She is a prolific author of urbane comedies for the BBC. She was born in Montreal, educated at Somerville College, Oxford and trained in theatre in Paris with the Lecoq School teachers, Philippe Gaulier and Monika Pagneux.

A BBC Radio 4 comedy drama written by the award-winning screen and stage dramatist Marcy Kahan, and starring Stephen Mangan as Ed, whose life is about to change forever when he accidentally puts National Treasure Penhaligon Rhinehart into a coma. First broadcast as the 'Afternoon Play' on 14 January 2011.  It's an important day for Ed Hanson. He has to do two things: present a 'vision statement' to keep hold of his job and propose marriage to his girlfriend, Lucinda. What isn't on Ed's list of things to do is put Penhaligon Rhinehart - author, barrister, circus-clown and National Treasure - into a coma. Ed's life will never be quite the same again...  Starring Stephen Mangan ('Green Wing', 'Adrian Mole') as Ed Hanson and Naomi Frederick ('The Trial of Tony Blair') as Lucinda. Also featuring Sean Baker, Joanna Monro, Adeel Akhtar, Naomi Sheldon, Lloyd Thomas and Christine Kavanagh. Directed by Sally Avens.

Hannah Silva

Fraser Ayres

Marcy Kahan

Neil McKay

Lavinia Murray

Alex Bulmer

Simon Wu

Amy Ng

Tara Hegarty

Suranne Jones

Lemn Sissay

Kobna Holdbrook-Smith

Maggie Steed

Fiona Shaw

Erin Doherty

Chizzy Akudolu

Full Cast

11 BBC Radio Thrillers

11 gripping thrillers from some of BBC Radio's best contemporary writers, including BAFTA- winner Neil McKay 
 
Inventive, intriguing and atmospheric, this eclectic selection of crime, mystery and psychological dramas immerses us in a series of diverse worlds where nothing is what it appears to be, and nobody is quite what they seem. 
 
Wide in scope and disparate in style, the stories range from a police procedural and a dark, dystopian eco-thriller to a shocking tale of modern-day slavery, based on real-life events. Created by a host of writers, including BAFTA Award-winning playwright Neil McKay, they are by turn chilling, surreal, haunting and darkly comic. 
 
Meet Maynard, desperate to turn his life around and escape a life of crime; teenagers Saurabh and Yusuf, who make a sinister discovery on Alderly Edge; Kit, struggling to regain her identity after an accident; and Tiger Girl Michelle, addicted to gambling in London's casinos. All will experience the unexpected, and find their lives changed beyond recognition... 
 
Among the casts are Suranne Jones, Lemn Sissay, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, Fiona Shaw, Erin Doherty, Maggie Steed, Pauline McLynn, Ralph Ineson and Gary Lewis. 
 
Cast and credits 
All productions are Sparklab Productions for BBC Radio 4 and Radio 3 
Produced by Melanie Harris and Executive Produced by Polly Thomas, Jeremy Mortimer & Jo Meek 
 
On the Edge 
Cast: Darren Kuppan, Renny Krupinski, Conor Alexander, Matt Andrews, Fiona Clarke, Jeffrey Longmore, Rachel Caffrey 
Written by Neil McKay. Directed by Melanie Harris. 
 
Ballad of the Burning Boy 
Cast: Suranne Jones, Lemn Sissay, Chris Finnegan, Phil Korbel 
Written by Lavinia Murray. Directed by Melanie Harris. 
 
Maynard 
Cast: Fraser Ayres, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, Ellen Thomas, Chizzy Akudolu, Kellie Shirley, Martina Laird 
Written by Fraser Ayres. Directed by Kathy Burke. 
 
Noise 
Cast: Effie Woods, Jonas Khan, Sarah Waddell, Richard Teverson 
Written by Alex Bulmer. Produced and Directed by Polly Thomas 
 
The Disappearance of Mr Chan 
Cast: Jennifer Leong, Jeremy Ang Jones, Jamie Zubairi, Liz Sutherland-Lim, Michelle Yim 
Written by Simon Wu. Directed by David Tse. 
 
The Music Lesson 
Cast: Fiona Shaw, Erin Doherty 
Written by Hannah Silva. Directed by Susannah Tresilian. 
 
Ninety Minutes with Stanislavski 
Cast: Colin Stinton, Norah Lopez Holden, Maggie Steed, Matthew Marsh, Nicholas Woodeson, Bruce Alexander 
Written by Marcy Kahan. Directed by Melanie Harris 
 
The Crossing 
Cast: Pauline McLynn, Owen O'Neill, Laurence Dobiesz, Michael Colgan 
Written by Tara Hegarty. Directed by JP McKeown 
 
Tiger Girls 
Cast: Crystal Yu, Pik-Sen Lim, Adam J Bernard, Liz Sutherland-Lim, Lobo Chan 
Written by Amy Ng. Directed by Shan Ng 
 
The Saudi Prince and the Pauper 
Cast: Ralph Ineson, Yousef Kerkour, Lloyd Thomas, Mary Doherty 
Written by Neil McKay. Directed by Melanie Harris 
 
The Last of England 
Cast: Anthony O'Donnell, Gary Lewis, Dan Gordon, George Bukhari, Faye McKeever 
Written by Neil McKay. Directed by Melanie Harris 
 
© 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

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