Joseph Delaney used to be an English teacher, before becoming the best-selling author of the Spook's series, which has been published in 30 countries and sold over 4.5 million copies worldwide. The first book, The Spook's Apprentice, was adapted into a major motion picture starring Jeff Bridges and Julianne Moore.

Joseph Delaney

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Jeremy Front

Simon Brett

Bill Nighy returns as the actor and amateur sleuth, Charles Paris 
 
Bored, broke and reduced to baring all as a life model, Charles Paris is relieved to land a role in a new sitcom – even if it is woefully unfunny. But no sooner has filming begun than things start to go wrong. First a charmless PA dies in a freak accident, then the young, cocksure director bites the dust. Once again, Charles finds himself on the case, hunting for clues from a host of showbiz suspects including an insecure, ego-ridden TV detective, a director suffering a midlife crisis, an ex-Bond girl and National Treasure, and her cognitively confused rock star husband. 
 
As the pound shop Poirot investigates, Frances (his semi-detached wife), and Maurice (his worse-than-useless agent), are furious. Following a skiing accident, Maurice has moved in with them, and is proving to be the house guest from hell. As tensions rise at home and on set, can Charles work out who is killing off the cast and crew – and more importantly, stop Frances from murdering Maurice? 
 
Jeremy Front’s witty drama stars Bill Nighy as Charles Paris, with Suzanne Burden as Frances and Jon Glover as Maurice. 
 
Credits 
Written by Jeremy Front, based on the novel by Simon Brett 
Directed by Sally Avens 
Technical producers: Peter Ringrose & Alison Craig 
Production Coordinator: Luke MacGregor 
 
Cast 
Charles – Bill Nighy 
Frances – Suzanne Burden 
Maurice – Jon Glover 
Ash Amos – Phaldut Sharma 
Judy Gilmore – Christine Kavanagh 
Stevie Dean / Howard Langridge – Tony Turner 
Scott / Argyll / Art Tutor - Joseph Ayre 
Sadie – Maggie Service 
Cheryl – Anna Spearpoint 
Barmaid – Abbie Andrews 
 
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 27 January – 17 February 2025 
 
© 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (p) 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Charles Paris: Situation Tragedy

A BBC Radio 4 Full-Cast Dramatisation

Bill Nighy stars as the irrepressible Charles Paris in these five BBC Radio dramatisations 
 
Actor, alcoholic and amateur sleuth Charles Paris returns in another quintet of humorous theatrical thrillers. All Charles asks for is a nice juicy part in a successful play - but wherever he appears on the bill, murder and mystery always play a starring role... 
 
The Cinderella Killer - Panto seems the perfect way to spend the Christmas season for Charles, but when the show's star is found dead, the slapstick must make way for a murder investigation. 
 
Dead Room Farce - Charles is appearing in a revival of a 1970s farce. But when two cast members die in suspicious circumstances, he suspects foul play is afoot. 
 
Star Trap - When a series of accidents befalls the cast of a West End musical, Charles steps in to investigate. Who is trying to sabotage the show - and why? 
 
A Doubtful Death - Charles has landed a role in an immersive theatre production of Hamlet. But when an actress goes missing, he must decide if it is to be or not to be a murder case... Also included with this story is an exclusive afterword with scriptwriter Jeremy Front, who adapted it from an unproduced screenplay by Simon Brett. He reveals what it's like behind the scenes of Charles Paris, and explains the mechanics of recording for radio. 
 
A Deadly Habit - Offered a job in a verbatim theatre piece set in a monastery, Charles has reservations. Then disaster strikes the production - and he smells criminality... 
 
Written by Jeremy Front 
Based on the novels and screenplay by Simon Brett 
Produced and directed by Sally Avens 
 
Starring Bill Nighy as Charles Paris, Suzanne Burden as Frances and Jon Glover as Maurice 
 
Text copyright © Simon Brett 1977 (Star Trap), 1998 (Dead Room Farce), 2014 (The Cinderella Killer), 2018 (A Deadly Habit), 2020 (A Doubtful Death) 
 
© 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Charles Paris: A Third BBC Radio Collection

The Cinderella Killer, Dead Room Farce, Star Trap, A Doubtful Death & A Deadly Habit

Bill Nighy returns as the loveably louche actor-cum-amateur detective Charles Paris 
 
Charles Paris is in Oxford, appearing in a re-imagining of Hamlet by a high-concept drama company. No fan of immersive theatre, he's unimpressed with the director's vision and less than thrilled to be rehearsing alongside puppeteers and mime artists. 
 
But he soon finds himself back on familiar territory when the actress playing Ophelia goes missing, only to turn up dead. Did she take her own life, or was there foul play? As he amasses a list of suspects who might have wished her harm, Charles takes on the mantle of detective once more to decide if this is to be or not to be a murder case... 
 
Scripted for radio by Jeremy Front from a story by Simon Brett, A Doubtful Death stars Bill Nighy (Emma, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel) as Charles Paris, with Suzanne Burden as Frances and Jon Glover as Maurice. 
 
Also included is an exclusive 18-minute afterword in which Jeremy Front discusses his experience of adapting an unproduced screenplay, reveals what it's like to work with recurring characters and actors, and explains the mechanics of recording for radio. 
 
Simon Brett OBE has written 19 Charles Paris novels as well as many other detective novels. Jeremy Front is a dramatist and comedic writer; he has won awards for his adaptation of Sword of Honour and co-writes and stars in the series Incredible Women with his sister, Rebecca. 
 
Credits 
Written by Jeremy Front 
From a story by Simon Brett 
Produced and directed by Sally Avens 
Production Coordinator: Cynthia Fagan 
Studio Managers: Anne Bunting, Keith Graham and Jenni Burnett 
Interview produced by Ania Duggan and Roshni Radia 
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 22 May-12 June 2020 
 
©2020 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2020 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Charles Paris: A Doubtful Death

A BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation

A brand new full-cast BBC radio dramatisation, starring Bill Nighy as Charles Paris 
 
'Charles Paris is Bill Nighy... It's the role he was born to play.' The Telegraph 
 
August in Edinburgh, and thousands of performers of all stripes have flocked to the Fringe Festival. Among them is Charles Paris filling in at the last minute after a student actress breaks a leg and has to drop out. Showcasing an earnest one-man show in a sea of stand-up comics is a bit of a gamble, but at least he's acting, and with a Charles Paris production, what could possibly go wrong? 
 
Charles is sharing a venue with a group of student actors, but when one of the performers dies in a freak stabbing, the actor-cum-amateur sleuth smells a murderous rat and decides to investigate. When the killer sets his sights on him, Charles realises that he must be getting close to the truth - despite not having a clue what's going on... 
 
Help arrives in the form of his agent, Maurice, in town scouting for talent, and Charles' 'semi-detached' wife, Frances, who inadvertently finds herself directing Charles' show. The three become drawn into the mystery, and find themselves playing detectives. This unlikely trio are way out of their depth, but when has that ever stopped Charles Paris? 
 
Jeremy Front's witty drama stars Bill Nighy as Charles Paris, with Suzanne Burden as Frances and Jon Glover as Maurice. 
 
Written by Jeremy Front 
Based on the novel by Simon Brett 
Produced and directed by Sally Avens 
 
Cast 
Charles Paris - Bill Nighy 
Frances - Suzanne Burden 
Maurice - Jon Glover 
James - Roger Ringrose 
Anna - Natasha K Stone 
Martin - Connor Curren 
Laura - Chloe Sommer 
Angus/Sam - Tom Kiteley 
Tessa - Joanna Monro 
Eilish - Catriona Stirling 
Sophie - Fiona Skinner 
 
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 9th-30th June 2023 
 
©2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Charles Paris: So Much Blood

Charles Paris is thrilled – he’s landed a nice juicy part playing Sergeant Collins in the TV detective series, ‘The Stanislaus Braid Mysteries’, and his estranged wife Frances seems to be on the brink of taking him back. 
 
 
But filming turns out to be a tortuous process, with pompous star Russell Bentley demanding numerous retakes and irascible author Winifred Railton constantly interrupting. To cap it all, nubile actress Lisa Stokes is crushed to death on set – and Charles finds her body. It seems like a straightforward accident, but Charles can’t shake the suspicion that she was murdered. Can he find the killer, stay away from the booze and the women, and win back his wife? 
 
Starring Bill Nighy as the lovable louche and Suzanne Burden as his estranged wife. 
 
 
Written by Jeremy Front, based on the novel by Simon Brett. 
 
 
Duration: 1 hour approx.

Charles Paris: A Series of Murders

Actor and sleuth Charles Paris is back in this full-cast BBC radio dramatisation of Simon Brett's novel, starring Bill Nighy 
 
Locked down with his semi-detached wife Frances, Charles has thrown himself into a new career as a handyman, becoming quite the DIY expert. He's developed muscles, stopped smoking and even cut back on the booze. 
 
Then his agent, Maurice, offers him the chance to get back on stage - and in a West End play, no less. The star, Justin Grover, asked for him specifically: but Charles has reservations. Grover was cocky enough when they were both young hopefuls; now he's the star of a massive TV fantasy series, and the play - a verbatim piece set in a monastery - is dire. 
 
So why has Justin signed up for it? He certainly doesn't need the money, unlike Charles. The cast is drearily male, and before long Charles is hitting the Scotch again. When he drunkenly stumbles over the corpse of a fellow actor, Charles panics, leaving the body to be discovered by someone else. But he soon regrets lying to the police, and driven by guilt and self-preservation, he resolves to find the murderer... 
 
This sparkling adaptation by Jeremy Front stars Bill Nighy (Emma, Love Actually) as Charles Paris, with Suzanne Burden as Frances and Jon Glover as Maurice. 
 
Credits 
Written by Simon Brett 
Adapted by Jeremy Front 
Directed by Sally Avens 
 
Cast 
Charles Paris........................Bill Nighy 
Frances........................Suzanne Burden 
Maurice........................Jon Glover 
Justin ........................Tony Turner 
Lydia ........................Ria Marshall 
Kit ........................Joseph Ayre 
Brendan ........................Jonathan Kydd 
Nina ........................Marilyn Nnadebe 
D.S. Dalby ........................Stewart Campbell 
Alice/Peaches ........................Elinor Coleman 
Kelly/Dervla ........................Jane Slavin 
Bethan ........................Christine Kavanagh 
Neil ........................Simon Ludders 
 
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 3-24 September 2021 
 
© 2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd 
(p) 2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Charles Paris: A Deadly Habit

Bill Nighy returns as the loveably louche Charles Paris in this BBC radio dramatisation of Simon Brett’s novel 
 
When Charles Paris’ agent rings with the news that he has a part for him in a new musical, Charles is delighted – and somewhat amazed, as he can neither sing nor dance. 
 
But Maurice has an ulterior motive: as one of the show’s backers, he wants Charles to play detective and investigate a series of accidents that have dogged the production. The pianist has been shot in the hand and another cast member fell downstairs – or was he pushed? Anxious about their investment and their star, Chris Watt, the ‘angels’ are keen to ensure that nothing else goes wrong. 
 
Joining the company, Charles discovers that Chris, although amazingly talented, is a prima donna who has made enemies of almost everyone. When the accidents resume, it begins to look as if anyone who disagrees with him is being targeted. But would the star really sabotage his own show? Charles must find out – before things turn murderous… 
 
This thrilling adaptation by Jeremy Front stars Bill Nighy (Love Actually, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel) as Charles Paris, with Suzanne Burden as Frances.

Charles Paris: Star Trap

Five full-cast BBC radio dramatisations, starring Bill Nighy as Charles Paris 
 
Thespian sleuth Charles Paris is his own worst enemy, a louche lush who can resist anything except temptation - especially in the form of women and alcohol. Estranged from his long-suffering wife, Frances, his personal life is shambolic, and as an actor, he's C-list at best. But he does have a talent for solving murders - which is just as well, because wherever he goes, someone seems to drop dead... 
 
A Series of Murders - Charles has landed a juicy part playing Sergeant Collins in the TV detective series, 'The Stanislaus Braid Mysteries'. But will all the deadly doings be restricted to on-screen? 
 
Sicken and So Die - A suspected poisoner is on the loose in a production of Twelfth Night - can Charles track down the culprit before this comedy turns into a tragedy? 
 
Murder Unprompted - There's drama backstage when a murder is discovered in a West End theatre production. Has Charles time to find the killer before the curtain goes up? 
 
The Dead Side of the Mic - A job with the BBC radio rep coincides with the mysterious death of a studio manager in Broadcasting House. Once again, Charles steps in to investigate... 
 
Cast in Order of Disappearance - Playing a middle-management vampire in 'The Wreathing', Charles finds himself dealing with a blackmailer, a maiden in distress - and a murderer. Has he bitten off more than he can chew? 
 
Written by Jeremy Front 
Based on the novels by Simon Brett 
Produced and directed by Sally Avens 
 
Starring Bill Nighy as Charles Paris, Suzanne Burden as Frances and Jon Glover as Maurice 
 
Text copyright © Simon Brett 1975 (Cast in Order of Disappearance), 1980 (The Dead Side of the Mic), 1982 (Murder Unprompted), 1989 (A Series of Murders), 1995 (Sicken and So Die) 
 
© 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Charles Paris: A BBC Radio Collection

A Series of Murders, Sicken and So Die, Murder Unprompted, The Dead Side of the Mic & Cast in Order of Disappearance

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