Abie Longstaff is the eldest of six children and grew up in Australia, Hong Kong and France. She knows all about squabbling, chaos and bossing younger sisters around. So she logically began her career as a barrister. She started writing when her children were born. Her favourite childhood books were Hating Alison Ashley, A Little Princess, Maura's Angel and The Black Stallion and she sneakily reads them again sometimes. Abie lives in Hove with her family.

Abie Longstaff

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Peter Ling

Juliet Ace

A very royal saga about The Crown and a very historic house 
 
 
In this story of Crown House, the grand home of the Ministers, the bond is built between the Minister family and the House of Windsor in this tale of changing times and unvarying traditions. This is a tale of two families and a fresh era for the Minsters of Crown House, and the Royal Family of Windsor. 
 
 
The series follow the birth of a royal baby and the growing closeness of William Minster and his wife Alice to the King and Queen. The life of Crown House's staff, as Jenny Webster, the housekeeper's daughter, watches the developments of the beloved Minsters and the saga unfolds between rich and poor, upper-class and lower-, old and young. Both above and below stairs find their lives changed by the passing years, as they are hit by scandal and heartbreak, accidents and loss, love and secrets. 
 
 
Crown House is a moving story of change and upheaval, with an all-star cast including Jane Asher (Brideshead Revisited, Holby City), Martin Jarvis (Just William, Ring for Jeeves), Dinah Sheridan (The Railway Children, Genevieve), Gayle Hunnicutt (A Woman of Substance, Dallas), Richard Pasco (Mrs Brown, A Dance to the Music of Time), Geoffrey Matthews (Coronation Street, The Day of the Triffids) and many more. Written by Juliet Ace (The Archers, Young Victoria) and Peter Ling (The Avengers, Doctor Who) 
 
From Peter Ling's Crown House novels, this drama series shines a light on a very different side of the Windsors, and is just the thing for listeners of Cromwell Vs The Crown, Flying the Flag, and Encounters with Victoria. 
 
Cast and credits 
 
Jenny - Jane Asher 
Old Bea - Margaret Rawlings 
Gina - Gayle Hunnicutt 
Alice - Dinah Sheridan 
Richard - Martin Jarvis 
William - Richard Pasco 
Nicholas - Dominic Rickhards 
Lady Flora Kelso - Margaret Ward 
Sir Charles - Geoffrey Matthews 
Caroline - Cara Kelly 
Edith - Barbara Atkinson 
Polly Harvey - Polly James 
Paul Weyman - John Pullen 
Mrs Webster - Eva Stuart 
Nursemaid - Diana Olsson 
Hawkins - John Samson 
Grace Duncan - Barbara Hunt 
Scott Hanson - Ian Michie 
Grace Duncan - Barbara Leigh-Hunt 
Miranda - Andrea Kealy 
Martin - Henry Power 
Rollo Paton - Norman Bird 
Thelma, Lady Furness - Shelley Thompson 
Louie - Simon Cuff 
Instructor - Philip Sully 
Cockney Girl - Alice Arnold 
Tram conductor - Richard Tate 
Charles Lindbergh - Ed Bishop 
Telephone operator - Caroline Gruber 
Landlady - Zelah Clarke 
Barman - Peter Craze 
W T Carpenter - David Goudge 
Seaman - William Simons 
Radio announcer / Stoker - Michael Tudor Barnes 
 
Written by Peter Ling and Juliet Ace 
Produced by Graham Gauld 
 
Originally broadcast on BBC Radio 4: 
30 October - 18 December 1988 
 
©2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Crown House

A BBC Radio 4 Regal Drama

The dramatic sequel to Crown House 
 
It's 1933 and we are back at Crown House where the Minster family are gathering to enjoy the Easter holiday. However, Crown House isn't the idyll it first appears, and a brutal murder disrupts the genial gathering. There's a secret that's been buried for years and the Honourable Mrs Jenny Gaunt is determined to uncover the truth but is she prepared to lose everything she holds dear in the process? Meanwhile, Lady Caroline, who has recently begun a new relationship, is ready to face the consequences of her past actions. Still close with the House of Windsor, Lord and Lady Minster and their family must embark on a new decade, one of change and upheaval. 
 
Set across the backdrop of the 1930s and encompassing everything from the silver jubilee of George V to the rise in popularity of Oswald Mosley, this compelling and dramatic sequel builds on the Crown House story. Tradition and continuities are brought into conflict with a changing world as the Minsters must find their place between a bygone era and a fast-paced future. Follow the highs and lows of the Minster family through changing times, scandal, and tragedy, where past and present collide in this thoughtful and compelling drama of a family like no other. 
 
Based on the popular Crown House novels by Peter Ling, this six-part drama is written by Juliet Ace (The Archers, Young Victoria) and Peter Ling (The Avengers, Doctor Who). Dinah Sheridan, best know for her roles in Genevieve and The Railway Children, reprises her role as Lady Minster and Geoffrey Whitehead stars as Lord Minster. 
 
©2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd 
 
Cast and credits 
Written by Juliet Ace and Peter Ling 
Directed by Tracey Neale 
 
Lady Minster - Dinah Sheridan 
William, Lord Minster - Geoffrey Whitehead 
Beatrice, Dowager Countess - Margaret Rawungs 
Richard, Viscount Ebony - Michael Cochrane 
Polly, Viscountess Ebony - Melinda Walker 
The Hon Nicholas Gaunt - Mark Straker 
The Hon Mrs Jenny Gaunt - Helena Breck 
Lady Caroline Gaunt - Deborah Makepeace 
The Hon Martin Gaunt - Richard Pearce 
Sir Charles Bowyer - Brett Usher 
Lady Gina Bowyer - Shelley Thompson 
Scott Hanson - Colin McFarlane 
Speaker in meeting - Alan Barker 
Paul Weyman - Philip Sully 
Muriel Beasley - Joanna Myers 
American Matron - Jan Whittenshaw 
American Nurse - Adjoa Andoh 
Mr Darrell - Nigel Carrington 
Lady Cloudesley/A stranger - Susan Sheridan 
 
First Broadcast BBC Radio 4, September 1991

Crown Papers

The sequel to BBC Radio 4 Regal Drama Crown House

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