Two BBC Radio full-cast crime dramas

Isaac Newton: Master of the Mint & Nemesis

Counterfeiters, spies, murderers... and Isaac Newton must use his brilliant mind to defeat them all in this pair of full-cast historical crime dramas 
 
In Master of the Mint, a new figure of justice is walking the streets of 17th-century London - Isaac Newton, scientific genius. After thirty years as a Cambridge academic, Newton takes up a new post at the Royal Mint in the Tower of London. But the work doesn't stay peaceful: soon he finds himself asking questions within drinking dens of ill-repute, in pursuit of a notorious counterfeiting gang. Can he stop their plans to set off a financial crash that will bring down the Government? 
 
In Nemesis, Isaac Newton must contend not only with opponents to his currency plans, but also with a French secret agent who is aiding the theft of England's entire supply of silver. When a wagon of silver is stolen, and his close colleague murdered, Newton must face facts: he's been betrayed. But is he able to protect his country from the same fate? 
 
From the writer of McLevy, these are fun, gripping and irresistible tales of thugs and villains, treasure and treachery, and the scientific logic which might just save an entire country... 
 
Cast 
William Gaminara - Isaac Newton 
Gunnar Cauthery - Hopton Haynes 
Kerry Gooderson - Catherine Barton (Master of the Mint) 
Laura Christy - Catherine Barton (Nemesis) 
Nicholas Tizzard - Charles Montague (Master of the Mint) 
Rick Warden - Charles Montague (Nemesis) 
Jonathan Forbes - Albert Chandler 
Michael Nardone - John Gibson 
Ryan Early - Jack Carter 
Clive Hayward - Thomas Carey 
Melody Grove - Belle Russell 
Lauren Cornelius - Mary Docherty 
Sean Murray - Elliot Miller 
Will Kirk - Jamie Wilde 
Greg Jones - Gilchrist 
Gerard McDermott - Richard Vernon/Bob Phillips (Master of the Mint) 
Neil McCaul - Richard Vernon (Nemesis) 
 
Production credits 
Written by David Ashton 
Produced and Directed by Bruce Young 
 
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 21 July 2018 (Master of the Mint) and 14-15 November 2019 (Nemesis) 
 
©2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

A BBC Radio 4 full-cast crime drama

McLevy: The Collected Series 1-6

The first six series of the Victorian detective drama starring Brian Cox and Siobhan Redmond 
 
Based on the real-life memoirs of the 19th Century investigator who inspired Sherlock Holmes, Inspector James McLevy, this atmospheric mystery series features the fictional casebook of Edinburgh's finest thief-taker. Accompanied by his loyal partner, Constable Mulholland, McLevy prowls the murky streets of 1840s Leith bringing criminals to justice - assisted by the madam of Edinburgh's finest bawdy-house, the deliciously immoral Jean Brash. 
 
In this collection of thrilling episodes, he goes on the trail of an ingenious cat burglar; contemplates a game of golf with desperate stakes; and joins Her Majesty's protection squad to hunt down a deadly assassin. He also faces trouble in the shape of a runaway bridegroom and a blackmailer; probes a judge's murder as his allegedly cheating wife claims her innocence; and looks into the curious case of the Italian aristocrat found dead at Waverley station. Meanwhile, Jean Brash plans revenge on a sadistic client - but her deadly battle with the malign Caleb Grant has heartbreaking consequences... 
 
Also included is the original pilot show, introducing us to the dour detective; and a Christmas Special, in which McLevy forswears Yuletide revelry to hunt for a supernatural thief... 
 
Brian Cox stars as McLevy, with Siobhan Redmond as Jean Brash, Michael Perceval-Maxwell as Constable Mulholland, David Ashton as Lieutenant Roach and Colette O'Neill as Hannah. 
 
'Evokes Auld Reekie so vividly that you can feel the cold in your bones and the menace of the Old Town's dark corners' Financial Times 
 
Produced and directed by Patrick Rayner 
Image credit: © Pete Hambling/BBC 
 
Cast 
Inspector McLevy - Brian Cox 
Jean Brash - Siobhan Redmond 
Constable Mulholland - Michael Perceval-Maxwell 
Lieutenant Roach - David Ashton 
Maguire - Stuart McQuarrie 
 
With Irene Allan, Steven Atholl, David Bannerman, Maureen Beattie, John Bett, Paul Blair, Kenny Blyth, Mark Bonnar, Carolyn Bonnyman, Ewen Bremner, Liam Brennan, Tam Dean Burn, James Bryce, Jimmy Chisholm, Andrew Clark, Sandra Clark, Tom Cotcher, Alan Cox, Susan Coyle, Carol Ann Crawford, Graham Crowden, Emma Currie, Ron Donachie, Sheila Donald, Simon Donaldson, Tom Fleming, Monica Gibb, Tom Goodman-Hill, Stella Gonet, Sandy Grierson, Shirley Henderson, Lewis Howden, Jenny Hulse, John-Paul Hurley, Molly Innes, John Kielty, Kananu Kirimi, Claire Knight, Robin Laing, Eliza Langland, Vicki Liddelle, Phyllis Logan, Bryan Lowe, Angus MacInnes, Patrick Malahide, Forbes Masson, Helen McAlpine, Clare McCarron, Mark McDonnell, John McGlynn, Robert McIntosh, David McKall, Jayne McKenna, Steven McNicoll, Anna McPhail, Andrew Neil, Jamie Newall, Colette O'Neil, James Anthony Pearson, Matthew Pidgeon, Gabriel Quigley, Malcolm Rennie, Ralph Riach, David Robb, Struan Rodger, Dominic Di Rollo, Wendy Seager, Sean Scanlan, Laura Smales, Tom Smith, John Stahl, Simon Tait, Robin Thomson, Frances Thorburn, Joanna Tope, Jim Webster-Stewart, Finlay Welsh, Tracy Wiles, Jordan Young, Paul Young, Jimmy Yuill 
 
First broadcast BBC Radio 4: 26 July 1999 (Pilot), 21 December 2000-11 January 2001 (Series 1), 19 June-10 July 2002 (Series 2), 1-22 December 2003 (Series 3), 3-24 April 2006 (Series 4), 25 December 2006 (Christmas Special), 27 January-17 February 2009 (Series 5), 21 December 2009-11 January 2010 (Series 6) 
 
© 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

'Evokes Auld Reekie so vividly that you can feel the cold in your bones and the menace of the Old Town's dark corners'

The first six series of the Victorian detective drama starring Brian Cox and Siobhan Redmond 
 
Based on the real-life memoirs of the 19th Century investigator who inspired Sherlock Holmes, Inspector James McLevy, this atmospheric mystery series features the fictional casebook of Edinburgh's finest thief-taker. Accompanied by his loyal partner, Constable Mulholland, McLevy prowls the murky streets of 1840s Leith bringing criminals to justice - assisted by the madam of Edinburgh's finest bawdy-house, the deliciously immoral Jean Brash. 
 
In this collection of thrilling episodes, he goes on the trail of an ingenious cat burglar; contemplates a game of golf with desperate stakes; and joins Her Majesty's protection squad to hunt down a deadly assassin. He also faces trouble in the shape of a runaway bridegroom and a blackmailer; probes a judge's murder as his allegedly cheating wife claims her innocence; and looks into the curious case of the Italian aristocrat found dead at Waverley station. Meanwhile, Jean Brash plans revenge on a sadistic client - but her deadly battle with the malign Caleb Grant has heartbreaking consequences... 
 
Also included is the original pilot show, introducing us to the dour detective; and a Christmas Special, in which McLevy forswears Yuletide revelry to hunt for a supernatural thief... 
 
Brian Cox stars as McLevy, with Siobhan Redmond as Jean Brash, Michael Perceval-Maxwell as Constable Mulholland, David Ashton as Lieutenant Roach and Colette O'Neill as Hannah. 
 
'Evokes Auld Reekie so vividly that you can feel the cold in your bones and the menace of the Old Town's dark corners' Financial Times 
 
Produced and directed by Patrick Rayner 
Image credit: © Pete Hambling/BBC 
 
Cast 
Inspector McLevy - Brian Cox 
Jean Brash - Siobhan Redmond 
Constable Mulholland - Michael Perceval-Maxwell 
Lieutenant Roach - David Ashton 
Maguire - Stuart McQuarrie 
 
With Irene Allan, Steven Atholl, David Bannerman, Maureen Beattie, John Bett, Paul Blair, Kenny Blyth, Mark Bonnar, Carolyn Bonnyman, Ewen Bremner, Liam Brennan, Tam Dean Burn, James Bryce, Jimmy Chisholm, Andrew Clark, Sandra Clark, Tom Cotcher, Alan Cox, Susan Coyle, Carol Ann Crawford, Graham Crowden, Emma Currie, Ron Donachie, Sheila Donald, Simon Donaldson, Tom Fleming, Monica Gibb, Tom Goodman-Hill, Stella Gonet, Sandy Grierson, Shirley Henderson, Lewis Howden, Jenny Hulse, John-Paul Hurley, Molly Innes, John Kielty, Kananu Kirimi, Claire Knight, Robin Laing, Eliza Langland, Vicki Liddelle, Phyllis Logan, Bryan Lowe, Angus MacInnes, Patrick Malahide, Forbes Masson, Helen McAlpine, Clare McCarron, Mark McDonnell, John McGlynn, Robert McIntosh, David McKall, Jayne McKenna, Steven McNicoll, Anna McPhail, Andrew Neil, Jamie Newall, Colette O'Neil, James Anthony Pearson, Matthew Pidgeon, Gabriel Quigley, Malcolm Rennie, Ralph Riach, David Robb, Struan Rodger, Dominic Di Rollo, Wendy Seager, Sean Scanlan, Laura Smales, Tom Smith, John Stahl, Simon Tait, Robin Thomson, Frances Thorburn, Joanna Tope, Jim Webster-Stewart, Finlay Welsh, Tracy Wiles, Jordan Young, Paul Young, Jimmy Yuill 
 
First broadcast BBC Radio 4: 26 July 1999 (Pilot), 21 December 2000-11 January 2001 (Series 1), 19 June-10 July 2002 (Series 2), 1-22 December 2003 (Series 3), 3-24 April 2006 (Series 4), 25 December 2006 (Christmas Special), 27 January-17 February 2009 (Series 5), 21 December 2009-11 January 2010 (Series 6) 
 
© 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

McLevy: The Collected Series 7-12

Brian Cox and Siobhan Redmond star in series 7-12 of the Victorian crime drama 
 
Inspired by the real-life memoirs of Edinburgh's first detective, James McLevy, here are more fantastic fictional adventures featuring the tenacious Victorian crime-solver. Once again, McLevy and his faithful sidekick Constable Mulholland patrol the dark wynds and back alleys of 1840s Leith tracking down evildoers - aided by a surprising ally: the beautiful and resourceful brothel-keeper Jean Brash. 
 
In these collected episodes, McLevy investigates the kidnap of a women's rights campaigner, sets out to prove that a celebrated stage magician is a jewel thief; probes a series of street attacks on clients of The Just Land; and is kidnapped by a grieving father seeking vengeance for the death of his son. Plus, Jean's life hangs in the balance when she is poisoned by a mystery assailant; Mulholland is challenged to a duel; and the new docks in Leith threaten to change McLevy's life forever... 
 
Also included is Meet James McLevy, a 2016 remake of the original pilot episode, in which the idiosyncratic detective investigates the demise of a bank manager found dead and naked by the Water of Leith. 
 
Brian Cox stars as McLevy, with Siobhan Redmond as Jean Brash, Michael Perceval-Maxwell as Mulholland, David Ashton as Roach and Colette O'Neill as Hannah. 
 
'Everything afternoon radio was invented for' The Guardian 
 
Produced and directed by Bruce Young 
Image credit: © Pete Hambling/BBC 
 
Cast 
Inspector McLevy - Brian Cox 
Jean Brash - Siobhan Redmond 
Constable Mulholland - Michael Perceval-Maxwell 
Lieutenant Roach - David Ashton 
 
With Irene Allan, David Ashton, Kenny Blyth, Charlene Boyd, Simon Bubb, Tam Dean Burn, James Bryce, John Buick, Stewart Campbell, Jimmy Chisholm, Ben Clifford, Sarah Collier, Tony Cownie, Alan Cox, Ali Craig, Carol Ann Crawford, Nicola Jo Cully, Emma Currie, Simon Donaldson, Mark Edel-Hunt, Brian Ferguson, Keiran Gallacher, Teresa Gallagher, Kim Gerard, Stella Gonet, Richard Greenwood, Sandy Grierson, Melody Grove, Alasdair Hankinson, Colin Harris, Jessica Hardwick, Victoria Inez Hardy, Leslie Hart, David Hayman, Kathryn Howden, Lewis Howden, Robert Jack, Patricia Kavanagh, John Kazek, Samuel Keefe, Cara Kelly, John Kielty, Rikki Lawton, Vicki Liddelle, Crawford Logan, Cal MacAninch, Edith MacArthur, Helen Mackay, Forbes Masson, Martin McBride, Sarah McCardie, Matt McClure, Gemma McElhinney, Tony McGeever, Robert McIntosh, Jayne McKenna, Finlay McLean, Steven McNicoll, Gavin Mitchell, Alexander Morton, Colette O'Neil, Grant O'Rourke, Brian Pettifer, Matthew Pidgeon, Gayanne Potter, Stewart Porter, Daniel Portman, Carl Prekopp, Derek Riddell, David Rintoul, Alex Rivers, David Robb, Iain Robertson, Hugh Ross, Douglas Russell, Sean Scanlan, John Shedden, Ashley Smith, John Stahl, Simon Tait, Nicholas Tizzard, Anita Vettesse, Lizzy Watts, Owen Whitelaw, Tracy Wiles, James Young, Jordan Young, Paul Young 
 
First broadcast BBC Radio 4: 2 March-23 March 2011 (Series 7), 29 November-20 December 2011 (Series 8), 26 November-17 December 2012 (Series 9), 18 February-11 March 2014 (Series 10), 15 December 2015-5 January 2016 (Series 11), 8 October 2016 (Meet James McLevy), 10-13 October 2016 (Series 12) 
 
© 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

'Everything afternoon radio was invented for'

David Ashton

Brian Cox

Siobhan Redmond

Full Cast

A BBC Radio 4 Full-Cast Crime Drama

Brian Cox and Siobhan Redmond return in two new series of adventures set in San Francisco.Forced to run for his life after killing two suspects, assaulting the Chief Constable and inadvertently causing the death of Lieutenant Roach, McLevy has fled Leith for San Francisco. Somewhat rashly, and against her better judgement, Jean Brash has decided to accompany him...Arriving in America, it seems they’ve jumped out of the frying pan and into the fire. San Francisco is as cold and foggy as Leith, and home to just as many criminals. With the Gold Rush at its height, the city is a madhouse, its inhabitants driven by greed. Everyone is dying to get rich quick, and McLevy and Jean are caught in the middle.Unimpressed by San Francisco’s bawdy houses, Jean shifts from brothel-keeping to playing poker, and is soon making a killing. McLevy, however, is having a harder time adjusting. Adrift and purposeless, he goes looking for trouble – and finds it in spades. As he and Jean face violence, corruption, skulduggery and murder, McLevy sets about doing what he does best: tackling crime. His time as a policeman may be over, but in this wild, lawless West, there’s a desperate need for a good private investigator...Starring Brian Cox and Siobhan Redmond, these four entertaining episodes follow ex-Inspector James McLevy and former madame Jean Brash as they attempt to forge a new life in the New World.Cast and creditsWritten by David AshtonProduced and directed by Bruce Young© 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

David Ashton

Books by David Ashton

Follow penguin

Follow ladybird

Follow puffin

Sign up to the Penguin newsletter