Drama of the Week

BBC Radio 4

Every Friday we bring you a new drama from BBC Radio 4 or Radio 3. Exercise your imagination with some of the best writers and actors on radio. Storytelling at its very best.

  • 45 minutes 10 seconds
    Pilgrim: Belle Meadow Fayre (Part 1)

    A Pilgrim two-part special by Sebastian Baczkiewicz.

    Each year at Belle Meadow Fayre, the Greyfolk meet to celebrate the burial of John Barleycorn, a ritual to mark autumn's end. But this year there’s a problem: Old Johnny John John has gone missing.

    Autumn shows no sign of abating and without the sacred ceremony at Belle Meadow, winter will not come. The Greyfolk are angry. It's down to Pilgrim to find Old Johnny John John and face down his kidnapper, the rogue faerie Kara.

    Pilgrim, cursed with immortality by the King of the Greyfolk, is forever forced to walk between the human world and the world of Faerie in a never-ending quest to preserve the uneasy balance between the two.

    Pilgrim ….. Paul Hilton Vass ….. Toby Jones Kara ….. Holli Dempsey Clemira ….. Sirine Saba Rana ….. Shreya Lallu Keith ….. David Hounslow Mr Summerskill ….. Carl Prekopp Benji ….. Nuhazet Diaz Cano The Girl . . . . . Agnes Dromgoole

    Production co-ordinator: Maggie Olgiati Foley artist: Alison Craig Sound design: Peter Ringrose Director: Sasha Yevtushenko

    A BBC Studios Audio production for Radio 4.

    1 November 2024, 5:00 am
  • 13 minutes 55 seconds
    The Stranger

    Daisy Johnson is a multi-award-winning short story writer whose debut novel Everything Under was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize.

    In The Stranger she weaves a gentle romantic story beginning with an unusual flatshare to save money, then twists it into a suspenseful thriller all in the space of 14 minutes - read by Saffron Coomber.

    Saffron Coomber has recently starred in Sir Lenny Henry's Windrush drama Three Little Birds, was in Small Axe by Steve McQueen, and made her West End debut as Shakespeare's muse in Emilia by Morgan Lloyd Malcolm

    Written by Daisy Johnson Read by Saffron Coomber Produced by Allegra McIlroy

    6 September 2024, 3:00 pm
  • 28 minutes 56 seconds
    English Rose Series 2 - 1: Go West Young Girl

    By Helen Cross.

    Rose has made a fresh start in the City of Angels and life feels good. But she can't ignore the past, and now it's starting to bite.

    Her ex-boss Maya is loving never getting older and has Rose to thank for that. Maya has big plans for a 'rejuvenation' spa in the California hills, but Rose suspects all is not what it seems. On top of that she's worried that someone, or something, is trying to send her telepathic messages. But are they to warn her, or frighten her?

    Stylish and surprising fantasy horror with a comic twist, starring Alexandra Mardell (Coronation Street) and Demetri Goritsas (Ten Percent). With music by Dana Margolin and Sam Yardley of Mercury-nominated band, Porridge Radio.

    Helen Cross wrote ‘My Summer of Love’ which won a Betty Trask award and was made into a Bafta-winning film with Emily Blunt (recently rated her best film in The Guardian top ten Emily Blunt films). Mary Ward-Lowery won Best Director in 2020 Audio Drama Awards.

    Rose ... Alexandra Mardell Maya ... Miranda Braun Austin ... Demetri Goritsas Siobhan ... Deirdre Mullins Delphine ... Yasemin Özdemir Mam ... Jane Thornton Jack ... Tyler Cameron Gym owner ... Don Gilet Dakota ... Rhiannon Neads Alina ... Kitty O'Sullivan Englishman ... Martin Bonger Angry Man ... Douglas Hodgson Gully ... Bruce Casswell

    Original music written and performed by Dana Margolin and Sam Yardley of Porridge Radio.

    Sound design by Ilse Lademann and Mary Ward-Lowery Assistant Producer ... Alison Crawford Director ... Mary Ward-Lowery

    1 December 2023, 3:45 pm
  • 14 minutes
    The North Remembers

    By Samantha Harvey. Mum drives through the Dark Hedges, crossing a threshold into a different world. Read by Deirdre Mullins.

    Topical fiction inspired by the story, in this week's news, that some of the beech trees that line the Bregagh Road in Armoy, County Antrim, have been felled amid concern for public safety. The trees, a landmark in their own right, were made more famous after featuring in the fantasy drama Game of Thrones.

    Samantha won the Betty Trask Prize for her first novel The Wilderness, which was longlisted for the Man Booker, and shortlisted for the Orange Prize and the Guardian First Book Award. Her work has been described by critics as 'spectacular', 'beautiful' and 'profound', and her latest novel, 'Orbital', an 'awe-inspiring and humbling love letter to Earth', has been selected by The Guardian as one of the most important books of 2023.

    Producer: Mary Ward-Lowery

    24 November 2023, 4:00 pm
  • 15 minutes 24 seconds
    Gaslight - Episode 1

    Atmospheric drama from BBC Radio 4 with bonus scenes for BBC Sounds, featuring original music by Imelda May.

    Have you ever wondered where the term 'gaslighting' comes from? Find out in episode 1 of this dark reimagining of the classic 1938 stage thriller by Patrick Hamilton. To hear the series in full, just search for Gaslight in BBC Sounds.

    Jonathan Holloway's modern adaptation is set in the present, with a deliciously vintage feel.

    Jack Manningham has used his wife’s recently inherited money to buy a huge period property - a former bell foundry - which they will renovate. They occupy a small habitable part of the ground floor and basement. This previously neglected ramshackle building is lit by gas, as it was in Victorian times.

    In this first episode, Jack and Bella find a house that suits them and there's a lot riding on the screening of their latest film.

    Cast in order of appearance:

    Tippi Griffiths ..... Lacey Turner Jack Manningham ..... James Purefoy Bella Harding ..... Rebecca Night Ishani Rawe / Izzy ..... Macadie Amoroso DCI Nina Rawe ..... Cathy Tyson DI Reynolds / Michael McLennon / Chris De Jeanne ..... Richard Lintern

    Written by Jonathan Holloway, based on the original play by Patrick Hamilton

    Music: Imelda May with Tim Bran

    Produced by Sally Harrison with James Purefoy Directed by Johnny Vegas

    A Woolyback production in association with Darling Pictures, for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds

    22 February 2023, 4:30 pm
  • 25 minutes 53 seconds
    Part 10 - Broken Colours

    Dan's life is in danger. To what lengths will Jess go to save him?

    Jess now knows the truth about Ronnie Vaz's relationship to Dan. But she's sucked even deeper into the violent world of his drug gang. Holli Dempsey and Josef Altin star in a new thriller of conflicting perception from Matthew Broughton (the creator of Tracks).

    Jess.....Holli Dempsey Dan.....Josef Altin Melissa......Alexandria Riley Petal.....Rina Mahoney Mother.....Christine Kavanagh Ronnie.....Alun Raglan Gallery Director....Jasmine Hyde Magnar.....Neil McCaul

    Sound design by Catherine Robinson and Nigel Lewis A BBC Cymru Wales production for BBC Radio 4, directed by John Norton and Emma Harding

    24 February 2022, 2:18 pm
  • 21 minutes 36 seconds
    Part 9 - Broken Colours

    Jess now knows the truth about Ronnie Vaz's relationship to Dan. But she's sucked even deeper into the violent world of his drug gang. Holli Dempsey and Josef Altin star in a new thriller of conflicting perception from Matthew Broughton (the creator of Tracks).

    Jess.....Holli Dempsey Dan.....Josef Altin Melissa......Alexandria Riley Petal.....Rina Mahoney Mother.....Christine Kavanagh Ronnie.....Alun Raglan Gallery Director....Jasmine Hyde Magner.....Neil McCaul

    Sound design by Catherine Robinson and Nigel Lewis A BBC Cymru Wales production for BBC Radio 4, directed by John Norton and Emma Harding

    24 February 2022, 2:16 pm
  • 21 minutes 6 seconds
    Part 8 - Broken Colours

    Jess has returned to Dan, despite her misgivings. In revenge for his secretive behaviour, she snorts a line of DMT. And experiences a terrifying trip. Holli Dempsey and Josef Altin star in a new thriller of conflicting perception from Matthew Broughton (the creator of Tracks).

    Jess.....Holli Dempsey Dan.....Josef Altin Henry.....Brendan Charleson Janey.....Jasmine Hyde Ronnie.....Alun Raglan Petal.....Rina Mahoney

    Sound design by Catherine Robinson and Nigel Lewis A BBC Cymru Wales production for BBC Radio 4, directed by John Norton and Emma Harding

    24 February 2022, 2:14 pm
  • 24 minutes 1 second
    Part 7 - Broken Colours

    Jess has left Dan, the dockside studio and the grimy, violent world of Ronnie Vaz behind. But something is pulling her back. Holli Dempsey and Josef Altin star in a new thriller of conflicting perception from Matthew Broughton (the creator of Tracks).

    Jess.....Holli Dempsey Dan.....Josef Altin Henry.....Brendan Charleson Janey.....Jasmine Hyde Ronnie.....Alun Raglan Petal.....Rina Mahoney News Reader.....Chris Jack

    Sound design by Catherine Robinson and Nigel Lewis A BBC Cymru Wales production for BBC Radio 4, directed by John Norton and Emma Harding

    24 February 2022, 2:12 pm
  • 22 minutes 51 seconds
    Part 6 - Broken Colours

    Jess starts her first paid commission as an artist, painting a work for Dan's employer Ronnie Vaz. But she also discovers the true nature of Vaz's business empire. Holli Dempsey and Josef Altin star in a new thriller of conflicting perception from Matthew Broughton (the creator of Tracks). Written by Faebian Averies.

    Jess.....Holli Dempsey Dan.....Josef Altin Clem…..Francois Pandolfo Melissa.....Alexandria Riley Petal.....Rina Mahoney Security Guard.....Chris Jack

    Sound design by Catherine Robinson and Nigel Lewis A BBC Cymru Wales production for BBC Radio 4, directed by John Norton and Emma Harding

    24 February 2022, 2:10 pm
  • 21 minutes 45 seconds
    Part 5 - Broken Colours

    Jess discovers more about the shadowy world Dan moves in, but she's also increasingly aware of its benefits. She's moved into the dockside studio owned by Dan's employers - the gangster-run Tactical Security. And though Dan himself remains something of a mystery, the studio is starting to inspire Jess’s art. Holli Dempsey and Josef Altin star in a new thriller of conflicting perception from Matthew Broughton (the creator of Tracks). Written by Faebian Averies.

    Jess.....Holli Dempsey Dan.....Josef Altin Clem…..Francois Pandolfo Melissa.....Alexandria Riley Ryan.....Justice Ritchie Petal.....Rina Mahoney Security Guard.....Chris Jack

    Sound design by Catherine Robinson and Nigel Lewis A BBC Cymru Wales production for BBC Radio 4, directed by John Norton and Emma Harding

    24 February 2022, 2:08 pm
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