The hit BBC Radio 4 sitcom

Ed Reardon's Week: Series 1-4

The first four series of the award-winning BBC Radio 4 comedy 
 
Welcome to the world of Ed Reardon, writer and liver of life at the cutting edge - well, above The Cutting Edge, in a one-bedroom flat over a hairdresser's in Berkhamsted that he shares with his his trusty feline companion, Elgar. Divorced, impoverished and embittered, he spends his time penny-pinching, freeloading and ranting at the modern world and the 'moronic 12-year-olds' who run the media. 
 
Once a promising novelist (his first and last book, Who Would Fardels Bear? was turned into a Hollywood movie), he now lives off the royalties of his 1982 episode of Tenko (£17 per annum) and whatever scraps of freelance work he can coax out of his agents, Felix and Ping. Though consistently mocked by his friend and one-time collaborator Jaz Milvane - who's now become irritatingly rich and successful - Ed battles on with his attempts to finally gain the literary fame and fortune he feels he deserves. 
 
In these four series, we follow him as he tries to conquer the Christmas book market; falls in love; finds himself in hospital; attempts to secure his inheritance and comes up with a once-in-a-lifetime idea - only to forget where he put it... 
 
Written by Christopher Douglas and Andrew Nickolds, this splendidly splenetic sitcom stars Christopher Douglas as Ed, with Stephanie Cole as Olive, John Fortune as Felix, Sally Hawkins and Barunka O'Shaughnessy as Ping and Philip Jackson as Jaz. 
 
'A masterpiece of comedic melancholy' The Stage 
 
Cast and credits 
Written by Andrew Nickolds and Christopher Douglas 
Produced by Simon Nicholls and Dawn Ellis 
 
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 7 January-11 February 2005 (Series 1), 21 December 2005-25 January 2006 (Series 2), 15 December 2006-19 January 2007 (Series 3), 16 November-21 December 2007 (Series 4) 
 
Cast 
Ed Reardon - Christopher Douglas 
Olive - Stephanie Cole 
Felix - John Fortune 
Cliff - Ronnie Golden/Simon Greenall 
Ping - Sally Hawkins/Barunka O'Shaughnessy 
Jaz Milvane - Philip Jackson 
Pearl - Rita May 
Stan/Ray - Geoffrey Whitehead 
Jake - George Dalton/James Rawlings 
Eli - Alice Lowe 
 
With Sally Grace, Martin Hyder, Geoffrey McGivern, Dan Tetsell, Melanie Hudson, Emma Kennedy, Vicki Pepperdine, Adam Shipway, Matt Holness, Tom Colebrook, Andy Hamilton, Matthew Holmes, Chris Addison, Joanna Scanlan, Nina Wadia, Angela Wynter, Sean Lock, Paul Richard Biggin, David Cann, Eve Dallas, Alan Ford, Laura Solon, David Warner, Miranda Keeling, Morwenna Banks, Rachel Atkins, Tom Price, Nicola Sanderson, Matt Green, Phil Nice, Peter Marinker, Jon Glover, John-Luke Roberts, Kim Wall, Katy Wix 
 
© 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Ed Reardon's Week: Series 5-8

Series 5-8 of the curmudgeonly comedy starring Christopher Douglas 
 
Freeloading freelancer Ed Reardon is back, and still trying to survive in a world where the media seems to be run by idiots and lying charlatans. Success continues to elude him, but at least he can eke out a living teaching creative writing, condensing modern classics and doing a spot of celebrity ghostwriting. 
 
These four series find him shouldering his share of grandfatherly responsibilities; taking up residence in Berkhamsted's premier accommodation for the financially distressed; rekindling a romance with an old flame; and curating a moving tribute for Jaz Milvane's 'surprise' 60th birthday bash. Meanwhile, Ed's cat, Elgar, finds fame with an internet blog. Could he become a more successful writer than Ed? (Quite probably...) 
 
And in a special seasonal edition, Ed is hoping to spend Christmas Day in the bosom of his family - but will he end up alone with Elgar, an Oxo cube and a cinnamon stick? 
 
Scripted by Christopher Douglas and Andrew Nickolds, this furiously funny sitcom stars Christopher Douglas as Ed, with supporting roles from Stephanie Cole as Olive, John Fortune as Felix, Barunka O'Shaughnessy as Ping, Philip Jackson as Jaz and Geoffrey Whitehead as Stan. 
 
'Comic genius' Radio Times 
 
Cast and credits 
Written by Andrew Nickolds and Christopher Douglas 
Produced by Dawn Ellis 
 
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 6 October-10 November 2008 (Series 5), 11 January-15 February 2010 (Series 6), 10 January-14 February 2011 (Series 7), 3 April-8 May 2012 (Series 8), 25 December 2012 (Ed Reardon at Christmas) 
 
Cast 
Ed Reardon - Christopher Douglas 
Olive - Stephanie Cole 
Felix - John Fortune 
Cliff - Ronnie Golden/Simon Greenall/Geoff McGivern 
Ping - Barunka O'Shaughnessy 
Jaz Milvane - Philip Jackson 
Pearl - Rita May 
Stan - Geoffrey Whitehead 
Ray - Simon Greenall 
Jake - Sam Pamphilon 
Eli - Lisa Coleman 
Fiona - Jenny Agutter 
With Sally Grace, Lewis MacLeod, Nicola Sanderson, Martin Hyder, Richard Smith, Tom Price, Rachel Atkins, Rebecca Front, Nicholas Boulton, Dan Tetsell, Kim Wall, Tony Gardner, Rhys Rusbatch, Katy Wix, Emma Fryer, Henry Devas, Matilda Ziegler, Paul Merton, Geoffrey Palmer, Darren Boyd, Paul Sharma, Corrie Corfield 
 
© 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Ed Reardon's Week: Series 9-12

Series 9-12 of the hit comedy featuring curmudgeonly author Ed Reardon 
 
Author, pipe-smoker, fare-dodger and master of the complaining letter and abusive email, Ed Reardon returns for another four series. Despite many thwarted attempts at literary succes, he's still living a precarious existence with his trusty companion Elgar, reliant on any small morsels of work Ping can offer him to keep body, mind and cat together. He also continues to have regular run-ins with his nemesis, Jaz Milvane - who somehow manages to make money out of mad schemes, while Ed makes nothing - and his love life remains more than a little erratic. 
 
Among his endeavours in these 24 episodes, Ed attends his first ever interview for a real job; finds himself facing homelessness as Stan throws him out on the street; enters the groves of academe as he becomes a student at 'Uni'; and gains a new agent, Maggie, who gets him a regular writing gig on Your Motorhome magazine. Can she help him to turn his fortunes around? 
 
Also included is a special festive edition, which sees Ed spending the holiday season without Elgar. All he has for Christmas is a computer and a commission... 
 
Christopher Douglas stars as Ed, alongside Stephanie Cole, Philip Jackson, Geoffrey Whitehead, Alison Steadman, Brigit Forsyth and Barunka O'Shaughnessy, in this acclaimed comedy by Christopher Douglas and Andrew Nickolds. 
 
'Pure joy' The Telegraph 
 
Cast and credits 
Written by Andrew Nickolds and Christopher Douglas 
Produced by Dawn Ellis 
 
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 11 November-16 December 2013 (Series 9), 13 May-17 June 2015 (Series 10), 1 January 2016 (Ed Reardon at Christmas), 4 October-8 November 2016 (Series 11), 24 October-28 November 2017 (Series 12) 
 
Cast 
Ed Reardon - Christopher Douglas 
Olive - Stephanie Cole 
Cliff - Geoffrey McGivern 
Ping - Barunka O'Shaughnessy 
Jaz Milvane - Philip Jackson 
Pearl - Alison Steadman/Brigit Forsyth 
Stan - Geoffrey Whitehead 
Ray - Simon Greenall 
Jake - Sam Pamphilon 
Eli - Lisa Coleman 
Fiona - Jenny Agutter 
Suzan - Raquel Cassidy 
Maggie - Monica Dolan 
 
With Melanie Hudson, Nicola Sanderson, Jonathan Bailey, Carys Eleri, Claudie Blakley, Jonathan Coy, Corrie Corfield, Felicity Montagu, Carolyn Pickles, Dan Mersh, Vicki Pepperdine, Duncan Preston, Celia Imrie, Phaldut Sharma, Joanna Brookes, Pam Ferris, Jack Farthing, Jeremy Paxman, John Humphrys, Divian Ladwa, Sylvestra Le Touzel, Maya Sondhi, Ruth Madeley, Don Gilet, Karl Theobald, Tyger Drew-Honey, Petroc Trelawney, 
 
© 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Series 9-12 of the hit comedy featuring curmudgeonly author Ed Reardon 
 
Author, pipe-smoker, fare-dodger and master of the complaining letter and abusive email, Ed Reardon returns for another four series. Despite many thwarted attempts at literary succes, he's still living a precarious existence with his trusty companion Elgar, reliant on any small morsels of work Ping can offer him to keep body, mind and cat together. He also continues to have regular run-ins with his nemesis, Jaz Milvane - who somehow manages to make money out of mad schemes, while Ed makes nothing - and his love life remains more than a little erratic. 
 
Among his endeavours in these 24 episodes, Ed attends his first ever interview for a real job; finds himself facing homelessness as Stan throws him out on the street; enters the groves of academe as he becomes a student at 'Uni'; and gains a new agent, Maggie, who gets him a regular writing gig on Your Motorhome magazine. Can she help him to turn his fortunes around? 
 
Also included is a special festive edition, which sees Ed spending the holiday season without Elgar. All he has for Christmas is a computer and a commission... 
 
Christopher Douglas stars as Ed, alongside Stephanie Cole, Philip Jackson, Geoffrey Whitehead, Alison Steadman, Brigit Forsyth and Barunka O'Shaughnessy, in this acclaimed comedy by Christopher Douglas and Andrew Nickolds. 
 
'Pure joy' The Telegraph 
 
Cast and credits 
Written by Andrew Nickolds and Christopher Douglas 
Produced by Dawn Ellis 
 
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 11 November-16 December 2013 (Series 9), 13 May-17 June 2015 (Series 10), 1 January 2016 (Ed Reardon at Christmas), 4 October-8 November 2016 (Series 11), 24 October-28 November 2017 (Series 12) 
 
Cast 
Ed Reardon - Christopher Douglas 
Olive - Stephanie Cole 
Cliff - Geoffrey McGivern 
Ping - Barunka O'Shaughnessy 
Jaz Milvane - Philip Jackson 
Pearl - Alison Steadman/Brigit Forsyth 
Stan - Geoffrey Whitehead 
Ray - Simon Greenall 
Jake - Sam Pamphilon 
Eli - Lisa Coleman 
Fiona - Jenny Agutter 
Suzan - Raquel Cassidy 
Maggie - Monica Dolan 
 
With Melanie Hudson, Nicola Sanderson, Jonathan Bailey, Carys Eleri, Claudie Blakley, Jonathan Coy, Corrie Corfield, Felicity Montagu, Carolyn Pickles, Dan Mersh, Vicki Pepperdine, Duncan Preston, Celia Imrie, Phaldut Sharma, Joanna Brookes, Pam Ferris, Jack Farthing, Jeremy Paxman, John Humphrys, Divian Ladwa, Sylvestra Le Touzel, Maya Sondhi, Ruth Madeley, Don Gilet, Karl Theobald, Tyger Drew-Honey, Petroc Trelawney, 
 
© 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

The BBC Radio 4 sitcom

Ed Reardon’s Week: Series 14

The complete Series 14 of the popular BBC Radio 4 comedy - plus Christmas special 
 
'Magnificent' Gillian Reynolds, The Telegraph 
 
Author, curmudgeon and master of the complaining letter and the abusive email, Ed Reardon is back for a fourteenth fantastic series. 
 
In these globally unprecedented times, Ed is also experiencing new and unusual circumstances. For the first time in 20 years, he's financially independent thanks to the timely arrival of his state pension, and living in a stylish, newly affordable 'capsule urban living unit' (a former office space converted into a flat). He has the luxury of three (organic) meals a day, all the premier catfood Edgar can eat, and even a new car - as well as free time to devote himself to his own long-cherished projects. 
 
But old habits die hard, and Ed's soon distracted by an unexpected meeting with his ex, Maggie; a fight to save an ancient oak tree; a request to write Ping's granny's memoirs and an eye-wateringly expensive trip to the vet. On his uppers once more, Ed is unexpectedly offered two potentially lucrative projects: scripting a movie for Jaz Milvain and writing a series of biographies for Maggie. But he can only choose one job - which is it to be? 
 
And in the festive special episode 'Ed Reardon's Christmas Week', Ed needs a room at the inn - the Lock Keeper's Arms, that is. But first he's got to square up to Scrooge... 
 
Written by Christopher Douglas and Andrew Nickolds, this superlative sitcom stars Christopher Douglas as Ed, with Barunka O'Shaughnessy as Ping, Philip Jackson as Jaz and Pippa Hayward as Maggie. Geoffrey Whitehead is Stan, Brigit Forsyth, Pearl and Stephanie Cole plays Olive. 
 
Credits 
Written by Andrew Nickolds and Christopher Douglas 
Produced by Victoria Lloyd and Dawn Ellis 
Production co-ordinator: Cherlynn Andrew-Wilfred 
A BBC Studios production 
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 22 December 2020 ('Ed Reardon's Christmas Week'), 8 June-13 July 2021 (Series 14) 
 
Cast 
Ed Reardon - Christopher Douglas 
Ping - Barunka O'Shaughnessy 
Jaz Milvain - Philip Jackson 
Jake - Sam Pamphilon 
Eli - Lisa Coleman 
Audiobook/Instructor/Bernice/Newsreader/TV host/Vet - Nicola Sanderson 
Landlord - Colin MacFarlane 
Stan - Geoffrey Whitehead 
Pearl - Brigit Forsyth 
Olive - Stephanie Cole 
Jenna - Mina Anwar 
Assistant - Tom Price 
Maggie - Pippa Hayward 
Bus driver/Frank/Piers - Simon Greenall 
Spike - Kathryn Drysdale 
Geoff/Cliff - Dan Tetsell 
Granny - Maggie Steed 
Salesman - Phaldut Sharma 
With Petroc Trelawny as himself 
 
© 2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd 
(p) 2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

The complete Series 14 of the popular BBC Radio 4 comedy - plus Christmas special 
 
'Magnificent' Gillian Reynolds, The Telegraph 
 
Author, curmudgeon and master of the complaining letter and the abusive email, Ed Reardon is back for a fourteenth fantastic series. 
 
In these globally unprecedented times, Ed is also experiencing new and unusual circumstances. For the first time in 20 years, he's financially independent thanks to the timely arrival of his state pension, and living in a stylish, newly affordable 'capsule urban living unit' (a former office space converted into a flat). He has the luxury of three (organic) meals a day, all the premier catfood Edgar can eat, and even a new car - as well as free time to devote himself to his own long-cherished projects. 
 
But old habits die hard, and Ed's soon distracted by an unexpected meeting with his ex, Maggie; a fight to save an ancient oak tree; a request to write Ping's granny's memoirs and an eye-wateringly expensive trip to the vet. On his uppers once more, Ed is unexpectedly offered two potentially lucrative projects: scripting a movie for Jaz Milvain and writing a series of biographies for Maggie. But he can only choose one job - which is it to be? 
 
And in the festive special episode 'Ed Reardon's Christmas Week', Ed needs a room at the inn - the Lock Keeper's Arms, that is. But first he's got to square up to Scrooge... 
 
Written by Christopher Douglas and Andrew Nickolds, this superlative sitcom stars Christopher Douglas as Ed, with Barunka O'Shaughnessy as Ping, Philip Jackson as Jaz and Pippa Hayward as Maggie. Geoffrey Whitehead is Stan, Brigit Forsyth, Pearl and Stephanie Cole plays Olive. 
 
Credits 
Written by Andrew Nickolds and Christopher Douglas 
Produced by Victoria Lloyd and Dawn Ellis 
Production co-ordinator: Cherlynn Andrew-Wilfred 
A BBC Studios production 
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 22 December 2020 ('Ed Reardon's Christmas Week'), 8 June-13 July 2021 (Series 14) 
 
Cast 
Ed Reardon - Christopher Douglas 
Ping - Barunka O'Shaughnessy 
Jaz Milvain - Philip Jackson 
Jake - Sam Pamphilon 
Eli - Lisa Coleman 
Audiobook/Instructor/Bernice/Newsreader/TV host/Vet - Nicola Sanderson 
Landlord - Colin MacFarlane 
Stan - Geoffrey Whitehead 
Pearl - Brigit Forsyth 
Olive - Stephanie Cole 
Jenna - Mina Anwar 
Assistant - Tom Price 
Maggie - Pippa Hayward 
Bus driver/Frank/Piers - Simon Greenall 
Spike - Kathryn Drysdale 
Geoff/Cliff - Dan Tetsell 
Granny - Maggie Steed 
Salesman - Phaldut Sharma 
With Petroc Trelawny as himself 
 
© 2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd 
(p) 2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

The BBC Radio sitcom

Ed Reardon's Week: Series 13

The complete series 13 of the popular BBC Radio 4 comedy, starring Christopher Douglas as Ed Reardon.

Curmudgeonly author Ed Reardon is back - author, pipe smoker, consummate fare-dodger and master of the abusive email, attempts to survive in a world where the media seems to be run by idiots and lying charlatans. 
 
'The funniest sitcom to ever grace Radio 4' - Radio Times 
 
In these six episodes, Ed and Elgar return to London (from their failed jaunt living in a shepherd's hut in the country) destitute and on the lookout for a new roof over their respective heads, where he bumps into Geoff Daytona - a rich successful entrepreneur and motivational speaker Ed was at school with. Surely big bucks are in Ed’s future when Geoff commissions Ed with writing his self-help book – The Geoff Daytona Method. Ed then collides with the worlds of reality television and, most surprisingly of all modern parenting. 
 
Written by Christopher Douglas and Andrew Nickolds, this sublimely funny sitcom stars Christopher Douglas as Ed Reardon, with Barunka O'Shaughnessy, Philip Jackson, Monica Dolan, Geoffrey Whitehead, Brigit Forsyth and Stephanie Cole with guest star Meera Syal. 
 
Credits 
Written by Christopher Douglas and Andrew Nickolds 
Produced by Simon Nicholls 
A BBC Studios Production

Christopher Douglas and Andrew Nickolds

Christopher Douglas

Full Cast

Barunka O'Shaughnessy

Pippa Haywood

Philip Jackson

Lisa Coleman

Geoffrey Whitehead

Sally Grace

A BBC Radio 4 sitcom

Ed Reardon returns to lead us through the ups and downs of his life in this 15th series 
 
'His dejection is ... our delight' Radio Times 
 
Berkhamsted's most famous son is back, still ensconced in his 'stylish capsule urban living unit' (aka small office conversion) and continuing to pursue his part-time relationship with Maggie. However, he's once more on the brink of the breadline as his agent, Ping, has failed to come up with any major offers of work, and his best mate and deadly rival, Jaz Milvain, remains a perpetual thorn in his side. 
 
Ed also finds himself supporting his daughter Eli in her new career as a 'Storyteller', tutoring a new student in his creative writing class (Pearl having left to join the silver workforce as a store detective), and struggling to divert himself after the loss of Elgar. Seeking distraction, he tries his hand at woodworking, starts a weekly 'Soapbox Corner', contemplates relaunching his online Quiz Nights and takes advantage of a 'blind recruiting initiative' to apply for a new role. Could the tantalising prospect of a real job - with a regular income - give him the impetus he needs to re-engage with the world? 
 
This fifteenth series is dedicated to its co-creator, Andrew Nickolds, who died in 2022. Christopher Douglas plays Ed, with Barunka O'Shaughnessy as Ping, Pippa Haywood as Maggie, Philip Jackson as Jaz and Lisa Coleman as Eli. Also starring are Geoffrey Whitehead as Stan, Sally Grace as Olive and Ellen Thomas as Winnie. 
 
Written by Andrew Nickolds and Christopher Douglas 
Produced by Dawn Ellis 
Production co-ordinator: Katie Baum 
Sound: Jon Calver 
Dedicated to Andrew Nickolds, who sadly passed away mid-way through writing the series 
 
Cast 
Ed Reardon - Christopher Douglas 
Ping - Barunka O'Shaughnessy 
Jaz Milvain - Philip Jackson 
Eli - Lisa Coleman 
Stan - Geoffrey Whitehead 
Olive/Kebab Woman - Sally Grace 
Winnie - Ellen Thomas 
Maggie - Pippa Haywood 
Jake/Lifeguard - Sam Pamphilon 
Derek - Robert Powell 
Shop assistant/WPC/Claude/Firefighter - Rachel Atkins 
Pool tannoy/Radio presenter/HRH/Sheila - Nicola Sanderson 
Quizzy/Shop assistant - Helen Monks 
 
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 13 July-17 August 2023 
 
© 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Christopher Douglas and Andrew Nickolds

Books by Christopher Douglas and Andrew Nickolds

Series by Christopher Douglas and Andrew Nickolds

Ed Reardon's Week

Follow penguin

Follow ladybird

Follow puffin

Sign up to the Penguin newsletter